Stiegl Brewery
Salzburg, Austria
Imported by Glunz Imports
Licolnwood, IL
Available: AK, AZ, CA, CO, FL, PA, IL, IN, IA, KY, LA, MD, MI, MN, RI, MO, NV, NY, OR, OH, UT, VA, WA, WI (pending: AL, GA, CT, KS, MT, SC, SD, WY)
The Stieglbrauerei dates back to 1492. The word “stiegl,” or “steps” refers to the staircase which leads from the river’s edge to the brewery.
ABV: 5.1
ABW: 4
Color: n/a
Bitterness: n/a
Original Gravity: 1048
Deep gold and cloudy, this lands right in the middle of the weizen color range, although its sotly spicy nose, backed by subtle hints of fruit, make it one of the less aromatic versions I’ve come across. Fortunately, things improve in the body, with a distinctive citrusy spice leading the way to a fruity, clove-accented flavor and a finish that could be classed as just off-dry. Not the most characterful hefewizen I’ve ever tasted, to be sure, but a good introduction to the style and pleasant accompaniment to a lunch of green salad and lightly smoked fish.
Robust visuals; dense head and cloudy-wheaty golden appearance. Fruity, spicy with moderate Germanic wheat beer aromatic character and flavor. Less on the fruity side. A more casual hefeweizen than the traditional classics, but bound to please wheat beer-friendly palates. Mild aftertaste. Not particularly memorable, yet pleasant. Weisswurst and bready pretzels would suit me fine, but why not try a leg of roasted goose while you are at it?
Once described as “beerdom's Brillat-Savarin,” Stephen Beaumont is the author of five books and countless articles on beer, spirits, food, travel, and how it all goes together.
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.
