TOPIC:

I opened my bottled Zwicklbier just now. Raschhoffer Zwicklbier. The suspended yeast has settled out and it looks identical to a bottled keller bier although maybe with a bit more carbonation.

It's that golden Bohemian Pilsner/ typical Czech lager color (halfway between Pilsner Urquell and the deeper gold of Budwar); the bubbles continue long after opening; unlike the bottled Kellerbiers I had. It is distinctly hoppy both in aroma and nose and has a bit of haze just like the keller beers I've had. (This one seems to use Saaz instead of the lemon hops I had in Vienna.)

I can't see a difference between a bottled kellerbier and a bottled Zwickl; they're the same beer to me in bottle except MAYBE higher carbonation in the Zwickl....

Adam

Vienna is a fantastic city and it shaped my beer perception as a teen. My family used to stay in the Bristol Hotel for a month every summer from when I was 12 to 18.

I used to sneak down to the posh hotel lobby every night and order a beer when everyone was in bed! I started this at 13 and the waiters never refused me. I would try a different one every time. Then I would sneak out and hit the bars...I saved chatting up the older woman for when I was 15 lol!! Let's just say Vienna was good for women too!

When I started drinking up north I quickly realised that the local "Harp" was utter shite compared to what I trained on! Thus my interest in quality beer!



And yes I'm going to try and find that Hopfenchamps too!

"Biertourist":25ogtcg2 wrote:
They had their own beer that they daringly called "Victory Hop Devil" -I did not get to try it but I did confirm that they brew it themselves and it's not a guest beer from America. [/quote:25ogtcg2]

From what I've read, this is actually their version/interpretation of the Pennsylvania beer; the head brewer is an admirer.

"Biertourist":25ogtcg2 wrote: They also had a pale ale called "Yakima Sunrise" Pale ale that was very similar to the Equatorial Pale Ale except without the weird spices and this time featuring a blend of American NW hops. [/quote:25ogtcg2]

Another nod to Victory, who have Yakima Glory (formerly Yakima Twilight) which ends up something like a hoppy brown porter; I didn't much care for it.

Two thoughts on reading this thread, which I missed before Christmas:
1) How much of your positive experience in Vienna do you think was shaped by being able to speak German?
2) Ever think about starting a blog?

Cheers,
Rich