12/11: Schilling's Landbier

This beer introduced me to Schilling, out of Littleton, NH. Bill and I hope to drive up to Montreal from New Hampshire, through Vermont, one of these days, so maybe we’ll stop by. Littleton is just west of Mount Washington, so lots of good hiking to be had around there. And look how cute! Right on a river, to boot.

Here’s how they describe Landbier:

Agrarian-style lager of Franconian origin brewed with spelt—and for the first time in North America, by Schilling’s brewers—with nearly extinct strain of lager yeast just revived from the cellars of Weihenstephan in Munich. Notes of strawberry, and hay abound with a hazelnut-like dry finish.

Nearly extinct yeast from Weihenstaphan! Cool.

Appearance: Oh, is this beauty a sight for sore eyes after too many days of hazy IPAs. Perfectly clear, a gorgeous straw gold with a bubbly white head that persists.

Aroma: Clean, clean, clean. Barely any “there there,” as Gertrude Stein would have it. Maybe a little water cracker, just the mildest bit of pilsner malt. I get none of the strawberry of hazelnut that Schilling’s description mentions, either on the nose or as I exhale while swallowing, but I’m sure they knows what they’re talking about. To me, it’s just classic Weihenstephan + spelt.

Taste: Mild bitterness.

Mouthfeel: Dry, indeed, with a zippy carbonation, to boot.