One of the strongest and most storied old world beers, Samichlaus Bier is a 14% alcohol doppelbock that’s aged for 10 months. It’s said to be brewed just once a year, on the 6th of December, the day of St. Nicholas, also known as Santa Claus.
While Samichlaus is both rather unusual, and once known as the strongest beer in the world, it’s still surprisingly available. Nowadays you can even find it in cans as well as bottles.
And with that, Samichlaus Bier is this week’s holiday Beer Pick.
Beer Pick
Samichlaus Bier
Brauerei Schloss Eggenberg, Austria
Available for in 4-pack bottles and cans
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I recently uncovered a bottle of Samichlaus Helles doppelbock I’d cellared for several years. At 14% alcohol it’s particularly strong for a bottom-fermented beer, and older vintages often become more complex. This bottle poured dark amber in color, with little carbonation, malty-sweet aromas and flavors, and a touch of funk.
Pair with
Brauerei Schloss Eggenberg recommends pairing Samichlaus with “heavy meals and desserts, particularly chocolate.” I sipped it with some shortbread cookies, which proved to be a very nice after dinner treat.
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