New Glarus "Unplugged" Eisbock

[TEDBROCK]

I am a fan of New Glarus products and recently had the Eisbock aptly named "unplugged". What is even better is the fact that the wife LOVES this beer..............Gotta keep the wife happy.
Anyway, the label states that it is lagered for one year then frozen. Does anyone know how this is done? I'll stop typing and go see if the wife needs another eisbock. Prost ya'll. Go Cardinals.

[BluesHarp]

Generally, I've found "ice" beers repugnant...but then they were macro beers. How about a little critique of NG's version?, I find it surprising that they would make one of these.

BTW, their Norski blonde lager is a nice beverage, very refreshing, nicely malty, with decent hop aroma...just a good, crisp lager.

[steveh]

Originally posted by BluesHarp
Generally, I've found "ice" beers repugnant...but then they were macro beers. How about a little critique of NG's version?, I find it surprising that they would make one of these.

The macros "discovered" this old German style of brewing and ruined the reputation over here in the good ol' US of A. Kulmbacher Reichelbrau used to make the style, but stopped when taken over by a big conglomerate. I see that Aventinus also has an offering, but never seen it around Chicago. A few micros have versions as well.

I can only speak of the Kulmbacher because it's the only one I ever tasted. It was brewed to an very high original gravity, using some very dark malts. (I believe) it was lagered for the usual amount of time, then its temperature was dropped to freezing and the water ice crystals skimmed away - leaving a very dark, rich and thick, potent beer! 9.6 ABV +/-.

The macros, such as Miller's Ice House, follow a similar routine - but start with terrible original ingredients to begin with. I've also heard stories of some breweries adding water back into their ice beers because the final beer produced was "too" high in alcohol to be labeled as beer in some states.

Macro ices are swill as much as their regular beers. I'm going to seek out the New Glarus Eisbock because they're always pretty good at sticking to style - although, I think their bock is more of a Munich Dunkle - good nonetheless.

S.

[BluesHarp]

Thanks for the info, Steveh...I will have to watch for this one; my local guy carries most of the New Glarus lineup, I'm currently drinking a Norski Blonde Bock...which may be the same beer you referred to, as it is much crisper and lighter than a traditional bock, but quite good none the less. I also have a few Hop Hearty IPA's left in the fridge, my current favorite hop fix.

[steveh]

I just got back from a beer run to Kenosha, and a store that carries an extensive line of beer - including many micros and many micros from Wisconsin that never make it across the border to Illinois.

Alas, no NG Eisbock - but I'll keep my eye out.

Bluesharp - the NG Bock I was referring to is their Uff-da. It's a dark bock and they (NG) says it has 7.3 ABV, but I've never gotten that same bock "kick" out of it as I have with German bocks.

I don't think I've tried the Norski - and the K-town store had it - next time. But they also had Capital Maibock on sale, it's a typical German Bock as is served at the German Fruhlingsfest (Springfest) about to start in another week.

Chicago has a Maifest based on the same tradition and serves up the Hoffbrau Maibock - very delicious, and very dangerous. If anyone is familiar with Chicago and knows Resi's on Irving Park, I defer the nickname "Mind Block" to Laurie the waitress there!

S.

[TEDBROCK]

For Steveh and Bluesharp-
Thanks for the replies. I believe the "unplugged" eisbock is only sold at the brewery. $18 per six pack of 12 oz bottles. It has a beautiful red-copper color,a sweet malty flavor, starts and finishes wet. I get a hint of licorice out of the malt with a warm "alcoholish" finish. A real tweeked up bock. Worth the trip to NG.

[BluesHarp]

ROAD TRIP!!! After all, I went to Mt. Horab (SW of New Glarus) to get growlers of their Irish and Pale Ale. I live between Madison and Milwaukee, so it is relatively long trip.
Steveh - I agree with your assessment of the Uffda; it is good, but not that powerful.

[steveh]

Originally posted by BluesHarp
I live between Madison and Milwaukee, so it is relatively long trip.

Yes, it's all relative - you've got it made - I'd be driving another hour and a half from where you are! Of course, If I can take a Friday off to make a road trip up to Capital for 5 liter home-tappers of Blonde Bock, it becomes even more relative! ;)

BluesHarp, Tedbrock (and any others in that area), see you at the Quivey's Grove Beerfest in the fall?

S.

[BluesHarp]

Quiveys Grove??? I'll have to look that one up.

[BluesHarp]

OK, I looked it up...Sat, October 4'th. I'll have to see, our family usually has an Octoberfest party that weekend, but we're flexible!

Entertainment by The Westside Andy / Mel Ford band...Andy is an excellent harp player, good blues band overall.

I will keep it in mind.

[steveh]

It's historically been a good time. My friends and I usually camp out at New Glarus Woods Friday and Saturday night - the beer fest continues all weekend! Just so long as we don't get storms like last year - sheesh.

The music is usually pretty fun, but if the weather is chilly and they close up the tent sides it can get loudly oppressive.

S.

[steveh]

Hey Harp, where did you find info on the Quivey's Fest? I can't find any updates at the Quivey's site yet.

S.

[BluesHarp]

I did a Google search and ended up on the Westside Andy / Mel ford band website; then looked at their schedule. The fest website is about three years old!


Westside Andy Schedule (http://www.westsideandy.com/)

[steveh]

You're probably finding some deep drills into the Quivey's web site via your search engine. They usually put up the latest news on the current year's fest near mid-summer - including ticket sales.

S.