Traveller's Tales #2: Los Angeles (!)

So... I didn't expect to be back in L.A. quite so soon. It was a quicker trip than normal, but I did manage to stop by the pub and sample two very nice beers.

For your consideration:

Fischer Amber Ale

In their words: ...

In my words:
This is what beers like Budweiser (for example) could be if only they aimed a little higher. On the nose Fischer is crisp and clean, with the aromas of malt and spring water; on the palate you'll find some wheat blended in with the malt. The flavors hit the sides of the tongue and the front roof of the mouth before settling in to faint, but long, finish. This Bier d'Alsace would be a great summer brew, well chilled, right out of the bottle.


Samischlaus Classic (Bottled 2008)

In their words:
Brewed only once a year on December 6, Samischlaus is aged for 10 months before bottling. This specialty is perhaps the rarest in the world. Samischlaus may be aged for many years to come. Older vintages become more complex with a creamy warming finish.

In my words:
Brewed at the Castle Brewery in Eggenberg Austria, Samischlaus is definitely one of a kind. The nose was ripe and tart with a prominent yeastiness; beneath that is a layer of dried figs and cherries, and lactose. The immediate taste is very tart and dry, with a bit of back palate bitterness. The beer became more balanced as it breathed, with a rich maltiness and overtones of dried fruit (mainly cherries and apples). The finish was soft, but not necessarily creamy; it was also very, very long. This is a very smooth brew considering its fourteen percent ABV.

The 2008 seemed to be in mid-transformation; I would give it more time in the bottle. In a couple of years it should be just right.