Rapunzel, Rapunzel - Let Down Your Hair!!!

I've been whining for months, trying to get my little Wookie paws on a bottle of Ayinger's Weizen Bock. It's never been available in the states, and I've heard very good things about it. Apparently they've been locked up in the DABC warehouse for weeks; like Rapunzel in her tower - waiting for prince charming to come and to rescue her.

Enter prince charming, Mark Alston. Yeah... not exactly the guy from the fairy tales but he does have nice hair. Anyway Mark liberated a couple cases to the Bayou, and by-Rumplstiskin's Beard it didn't disappoint.

Pours a very hazy golden honey color with three fingers of head that disappearing to a froth. The nose is of bananas, cloves, bubblegum and a little pepper. The taste starts with a huge spicey maltiness. Then comes cloves, banana and citrus. The end is slick with peppery alcohol and bubblegum. The mouthfeel is medium bodied, slick and creamy with good carbonation. This all German wheat beer. Perfect example of the style. Drinkability is good. My tongue doesn't detect too much booziness but my noggin sure does, so watch out, it could bite you in the ass if your not careful.

Now that Mark has got them out of the tower they should be hitting the stores soon. I hope...

Also, Sierra Nevada's Torpedo IPA is in. It's a big American IPA; bold, assertive and full of flavor and aromas highlighting the complex citrus, pine and herbal character of whole-cone American hops.

Prost!

Fifth Beer of Xmas: Ayinger Dunkel

The fifth beer of Xmas that my barkeep served to me was Ayinger's Altbairisch Dunkel. Keeping in mind that "cousin love" is bad and that I'd like you to hang in there until day twelve, we'll remain on the path of lower alcohol beers for another day. This beer is pleasant and is sufficiently complex for any beer palate.

Poured a rich reddish-brown color producing a 1/2 inch thick head of rapidly dissipating foam. The aroma is incredible, fresh, dark roasted malts with a hint of cocoa. The taste started with rich roasted malts, hazelnut and a hint of molasses. Hops come next nicely balancing the malt sweetness carrying it through to the end. A subtle sting of espresso in the finish leaves you with the perfect mixture of sweet and bitterness. Don't let the photo fool you this is a creamy, light-medium bodied lager. When they coined the term liquid bread this is the style I'm sure they were referring to.

Drinking Ayinger is a no-brainer. They craft they're beers in the finest of German traditions. This isn't a holiday beer but it serves the season well. It's pleasant and sufficiently complex for any beer palate. ABV 5.0%. Available in Utah year-round.