I've enjoyed the last two beers in the Rejewvenator series, but I'm a little apprehensive of this one. It's still half doppelbock, half dubbel, with fruit - this year's fruit is grape, though. I'm not sure at all how this is going to be. Lots of alcohol in the nose, and a very sweet fruity smell - not wholly pleasant. Flavor is pretty weird: I don't notice it at all on the tip of my tongue, and it's a little light in flavor overall. There's a clear dubbel yeast presence, and a tiny hint of alcohol in the finish. Maybe a little grape juice in the aftertaste. Very odd. I don't love the smell, but don't hate the taste, but do wish there was more of it. I'm hoping this opens up more as it warms, but this is a big step down from last year. It won't hurt you to try it, but you're not missing much.
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2 comments:
Hey Craig. This is Zak Davis from Shmaltz Brewing Company. Thanks so much for reviewing this year's Rejewvenator. Sounds like it wasn't your favorite, but as it changes year by year, obviously some people will love it and some won't.
A little background on the fruits...we're trying to work our way through the biblical 7 species, the staple foods consumed by the Jewish people in biblical times. Those foods are barley, wheat, pomegranate, fig, date, grape, and olive. Since we've already used barley, wheat, and pomegranate, we're using Rejewvenator to cycle through the other 4. Hence this year's addition of Concord Grape. Hang on for Year of the Olive next year.
Thanks so much for the support and, at the very least, we look forward to continue bringing you unique and tasty brews.
L'Chaim!! ~Zak
Hi Zak,
Thanks for the note! I should let you know that the fig year was truly exceptional - my girlfriend even liked it so much that she hoarded a few in our fridge until just a month or so ago - so that's pretty much the yardstick I'm judging the others by. And I'm a little terrified about the prospect of olive beer, but rest assured I'll give it a fair taste. I'm definitely curious, if nothing else, which says a lot about what Schmaltz is doing. Keep up the good work!
Craig
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