In 8 years of our beer club, we’ve only ever featured one Zwickelbier before, but now we have our second. This time we have the Original Landbier Zwick’l from the Bayreuther Bierbrauerie from Bayreuth in Germany.
A Zwickelbier is a traditional German lager, naturally carbonated, unfiltered and unpasteurised. It is referred to as the cask ale of the lager world. Often grouped into the Kellerbier category, the difference being it is less hoppy, a little lighter in taste and not allowed to lager as long as Kellerbier.
Interestingly, the term ‘Zwickel; refers to the small amount of beer the beermaster takes from the barrel, using the special tap known as a ‘Zwickelhahn’.
This beer pours a reddish-brown colour, with a slight cloudiness. Aromas are of sweetish bready malts, some fruit and a touch of woodiness. There is early sweetness in the taste, grainy malt and dried stonefruit, with a little herbal, grassy note. Medium hop bitterness balances out the taste.
Simple, tasty and refreshing – you can see why these types of beers are served in steins and drunk al afternoon long.
A very traditional German Zwickelbier - an unfiltered, unpasteurised lager
A bit if a different beer from the Uiltje team - an Imperial Weizenbock with pineapple
