Browar Namyslow
Namyslow, Poland
Imported by: Doyna Ltd.
Brooklyn, NY
Available: n/a
In 1999, three American partners purchased the Namyslow Brewery in Poland. The son of one of the partners, Ryan Gostomski, is now the brewer in Poland, and produces two traditional Polish beers, Rycerski Strong and Golden Denar, and two of his own formulation.
Alcohol by weight: 5.57
Color: n/a
Bitterness: n/a
Gravity: n/a
Drinks like a lighter beer, but don’t be fooled. The rich flavor can hold its own with the likes of everything from icy vodka, to sandwiches slathered with spicy mustard, to barbeque sauce. In the glass, it is deep gold with a head as white as the Pope’s habit. The palate is rich and fruity, but not overly sweet. It is well balanced, though hops take a sideline to the more pervasive malt flavor.
“Beer. 7 percent by vol.” Sometimes I wish the label would indicate at least what’s in the bottle besides just “beer.” After all, beer is not just “beer.” This one is worthy of at least a few stylistic descriptors. In their absence, let me say that this is a great blonde German helles-style bock beer! Polish brewers do know what they are doing, and I’ve tasted many a great Polish brew. This one is well balanced, clean, malty, with a great hop aroma and flavor. Don’t underestimate this great lager.
The Poles like beer with metaphorical hair on its chest. This pale lager at 7% ABV is a blond color with a loose collar of foam. A big aroma of toasted grain, cornflour and aromatic hops suggests a careful decoction mash. Rich, juicy, biscuity malt dominates the mouth, but with a good balance of peppery hops—Polish hops are seriously under-rated—while the long, lingering finish is a delight: creamy malt, a hint of apple fruit and delicious spicy hop notes. A perfect companion for Polish hunter’s stew.
Founder of Merchant du Vin and the Pike Brewing Co., Charles Finkel is a pioneer in the marketing of craft beers in America.
Author of the New Complete Joy of Homebrewing, founder of the Great American Beer Festival and a Beer Examiner at www.examiner.com, Papazian is a leading voice in beer and brewing.
Roger Protz is the author of Complete Guide to World Beer and 300 Beers to Try Before You Die. He is a respected beer authority and editor of the CAMRA Good Beer Guide.
I have a bottle given to me many years ago, and was told it was around for quite a few before it came into my hands. It has a wax seal that looks intact. The label has a picture of cherries and reads ‘Cherry – Rycerskie Genuine Polish Wine Specialty Product of Poland”. Alcohol 13.5% by volume. What do you think? Sounds like more than beer to me. Could it still be drinkable? I would love an opinion.
My father was a big collector of wines. When I was cleaning out my moms house I found 2 bottle of Cherry Rycerskie Genuine Wine. My father wrote a date on the bottle that reads 1930 or 1950. Is it possible that the bottle is that old. The seal and all are intact.
Thank you,
Lorraine