Franconian Beer

[keelkemper]

Mr. White used this term to describe some good beer available at the Ardenest in Amsterdam...Could some one enlighten me as to what exactly is the "franconian style". Is it top-fermented...etc..and what are some good examples to select for tasting...

[fretlessman71]

This may help you out... http://www.franconiabeerguide.com/

[steveh]

Franconia is the northern-most region of Bavaria in Germany. Per capita, it has the most breweries in the world and produces top-fermenting, bottom-fermenting, unfiltered, filtered and smoked varieties of all kinds. Bamberg is sort of the unofficial capital of Franconia.

Here's (http://www.schlenkerla.de/) a site with a little more info -- I think there's an English language link...

S.

[newportstorm]

Originally posted by steveh

Here's (http://www.schlenkerla.de/) a site with a little more info -- I think there's an English language link...

S.

On that note, this was posted on BA a couple days back - a new Aecht Schlenkerla beer coming to the US soon:

http://www.bunitedint.com/Products/schlenkerla-Lentbeer.html

Prosit!

[steveh]

Originally posted by newportstorm
On that note, this was posted on BA a couple days back - a new Aecht Schlenkerla beer coming to the US soon:

Do you see a huge difference between this Lentbier and their Märzen?

S.

[newportstorm]

Originally posted by steveh
Do you see a huge difference between this Lentbier and their Märzen?

S.

Since I've yet to try the Lentbier, I can't say. But on the surface:

-The Lentbier is Unfiltered - the Marzen is filtered
-The Lentbier uses 50% unsmoked pils malt - can't find any hard data on the amount of unsmoked malt (any?) in the Marzen

Sometimes subtle changes can make a world of difference. And if it means more Rauchbier (on tap, too!) then I'm all for it. :D

Prosit!

[steveh]

Originally posted by newportstorm

-The Lentbier is Unfiltered - the Marzen is filtered

Could be the major difference.

-The Lentbier uses 50% unsmoked pils malt - can't find any hard data on the amount of unsmoked malt (any?) in the Marzen

I can't quote a percentage, but I'd bet the balance is Pils or Munich malt - based on flavor. Some Rauchs do use 100% smoked malt (Kaiserdom?), but I don't think the Schlenkerla is that smoky. They also run their own maltings.

S.