That I consider this a top five event in my personal calendar of 2010 beer events makes it all the more strange that I've taken almost a month to get around to sharing the story with you all.
Nonetheless, this is a top five event of 2010 for me. Oh wait, I've already mentioned that. Sorry, I still get a little excited talking about what a great beer...dinner...event this was at Brauhaus Schmitz on November 18.
I arrived at the restaurant after a short visit to City Tap House's media preview event of their new pop-up brewery weekend concept (the inaugural one featured Sixpoint from Brooklyn) and a quick cab ride across town. And, I arrived with enough time to order up a delightful glass of Jever Pilsner as something of a palate reset-er between some of Sixpoint's adventurous brews and Schlenkerla's smoked beers.
The full menu listing follows below. For a rundown of the Aecht Schlenkerla dinner plus an insightful Q&A with owner and brewer, Matthias Trum, please visit After Hours at The Brew Lounge, hosted at The Washington Times Communities section.
But, before you leave--or after you come back, if you will--how about a few tidbits of fun Bamberg and Schlenkerla trivia? You'll never know when it will come in handy on Jeopardy or Trivial Pursuit :)
-> To schlenker means to stagger around, almost drunk-like. It's the inspiration behind the brewery's informal name. Read more here. The official brewery name is Heller-Bräu.
-> The brewery's pub was known as the "House to the Blue Lion", circa 1877, where proprietor Andreas Graser was known to schlenker about
-> The sausages of the first course were invented by Chef Thiel and the only ones known to incorporate smokemalt into the recipe.
-> Matthias Trum is the a 6th generation family brewer, the company's 15th since 1405.
-> The lager uses a base pilsener malt and really doesn't emphasize the smoke.
-> All Schlenkerla beers use beechwood in the smoking process, except the Eiche Doppelbock which uses oak for its different burning temperature for a smoother, less pronounced smoke flavor.
-> Refrigeration was a Franconian invention.
-> The northern Franconia region is home to 344 of 670 Bavarian breweries and has roughly one brewery for every 5,500 residents.
-> Wanna know what the meaning behind these following two pictures? Read through the Q&A with Matthias Trum over at The Washington Times. (pictures courtesy of Matthias Trum/Aecht Schlenkerla)
Welcome Bier ~Schlenkerla Rauchbier Urbock ---a stronger version of the original smokebier
First Course Schlenkerla House-made Smoked Sausages with Sweet Cabbage and wrapped in Pumpernickel Bread ~ Schlenkerla Rauchweizen ---a noticeable apple flavor as it warms; as a result, it went nicely with the dessert course
Second Course Cream Soup of Horseradish Root and Parsnips with Smoked Trout Dumpling ~Schlenkerla Helles Lagerbier ---a more "standard"-tasting German lager
Third Course Bamberg-Style Onion stuffed with Ground Pork and Bacon with Mashed Potatoes and Smoked Beer Sauce ~Schlenkerla Rauchbier Märzen ---a wonderful bier that was so perfectly paired with the Bamberg Onion
Fourth Course Gingerbread Mousse with Carmelized Apple Slices ~Schlenkerla Eiche Doppelbock (Oak Smoke) from a Wood-Clad Gravity-Poured Keg ---smooth, slightly boozy dessert bier that went perfectly with the decadently rich chocolate mousse
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