1422 Festbier
 

Review Date 9/9/2024  By John Staradumsky

  Style: Festbier   Brewery: Rittmayer Hallendorf   Country: Germany   State: N/A   $ Per OZ: $.15 (B)   ABV: 5.8%

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. I had seen in my Facebook group 2023 Costco Brewers Advent Calendar from Kalea | Facebook that Costco was selling a collection of 24 German beers called the Biergarten Collection. Then came a report that they had been seen in stores-here in Georgia! So, I made a beeline for my local Costco in Woodstock, and there they were! The best of times.

I got my treasure home, and saw another post in that hallowed group stating that this collection would be replacing, not supplementing, my beloved Kalea Beer Advent calendars. This year would have made 10 years straight I marked December by opening a door each day and pulling out a surprise beer. Sadly, such is not to be. The worst of times.

Still, I wanted to be fair to Webster Barnes, the company that imported The Biergarten Collection. Here’s how they introduce their beer box:

German beer-making began as early as the Middle Ages and has evolved over centuries, shaping Germany’s iconic brewing traditions and styles. Enjoy a taste of German cultural heritage in every can of our Biergarten Beer Collection.

Although I will miss opening a door and getting out a bear each day this December, there is one advantage to The Biergarten Collection: I don’t have to wait. This being the case, I selected a beer from the collection the day I bought it. That beer was 1422 Festbier from Brauerei Rittmayer Hallendorf of Hallendorf, Germany.

Webster Barnes says of Brauerei Rittmayer Hallendorf:

Brewing beers as early as 1422, the family has brewed quality beers locally using traditional methods. Showing an ability to adapt and innovate, the brewery has incorporated modern equipment to improve efficiency and energy conscious practices such as a wood chip heating system, as well as an energy saving program using heat storage. Producing a range of beers with something for everyone.

1422 Festbier is a celebratory brew to commemorate 600 years of brewing history for Rittmayer Hallendorf. It is in the Festbier style popular in Munich for Oktoberfest. This beer is listed on the brewery website, it is not a beer brewed especially for this collection. The brewery says:

Ein Bier wie früher: Bereits 1422 erhielt das ehemals Gräfliche Brauhaus vom Markgrafen von Kulmbach ein Wappen für sein gutes Bier verliehen. Dieses naturtrübe, helle Vollbier bewahrt die lange Tradition der heutigen Familienbrauerei. Ursprünglich, vollmundig. Eben wie früher.

Which means if you do not speak German:

A beer from the old days: As early as 1422, the former Count's Brewery was awarded a coat of arms by the Margrave of Kulmbach for its good beer. This naturally cloudy, pale full beer preserves the long tradition of today's family brewery. Original, full-bodied. Just like in the old days.

I had to wonder about the “naturally cloudy” part, because this beer was anything but that. It was clear and bright and this makes me wonder if a different beer was brewed under the 1422 name for the US market. Then too, the alcohol contents are different. The label on my can says 5.8% by volume while the brewery website says 4.9% by volume.

My thinking is that that brewery produces a Festbier with Fest denoting a celebration of their anniversary, but brewed a Festbier in the modern Munich style so as not to confuse American consumers with the name. You cannot argue with the price, however. I paid $59.99 for my case at Costco, which is a fair price I think for 24 different half liter cans of quality German beer. That’s just $2.49 a can, and that is a steal these days. My can is stamped BEST BEFORE 07/2025.

Rittmayer Hallendorf 1422 Festbier pours to a pale golden color with a thick fluffy white head and a nose of soft bready malt. Taking a sip, the beer is soft malty but fresh bready up front. It has light notes of toasty nutty malt and finishes dry and toasty. While I would like a bit more of everything I get here, I will say it is quaffable and very fresh tasting. I enjoyed it very much with Sunday football, and I am excited about trying the next beer in the collection, whatever that should be.