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They say there are only two things for sure in life: death and taxes. That’s not true of course, and if there is one very important addition to the list of things in life to be sure of, it’s this: you’re never as smart as you think you are. Take me for example. Here I am, an aficionado and reviewer of all things beer for over 30 years now. I’m closing in on having sampled almost 5,000 different beers, and I think I know a bit about beer.
And yet, before last year I had never before heard of a Grätzer. My first example of the style was Westbrook Grätzer, from South Carolina. I don’t recall much about it as I tasted it with a number of other brews at a beer tasting, and didn’t really think much about it after that. I don’t even think I thought of it as a unique style.
Never fear, Samuel Adams Longshot Grätzer to the rescue. This is only my second Grätzer that I am conscious of, and really the firt one that I’ve had the opportunity to contemplate on. So, you’re probably wondering now what exactly is Grätzer? Well, I’ll tell you.
Grätzer, you see, is a Polish beer style according to Cesar Marron, 2013 Longshot winner and architect of Samuel Adams Longshot Grätzer. In an interview on the Sam Adams Boston Blogger blog, he explains Grätzers have been brewed in Poland for over 500 years, and that the modern version originated in the early 1800s. Grätzer is basically a smoked wheat beer. Like German rauchbier, Grätzer has its origins in the days when the kilning of malt was not a perfect science, and the smoke of a wood fire used to dry the malt seeped into the kiln and added flavor.
Here’s some more information on the beer from the label:
This traditional smoked wheat beer’s unique flavor comes from a combination of the smoky sweetness from the heirloom smoked malt and the spicy and herbal notes from Saaz Hops.
Samuel Adams Longshot Grätzer has an alcohol content of 4.4% by volume. It’s only available in the 2014 Longshot Sampler six-pack, which has held fast in price at $9.99. The bottle label says best before August, which I would agree with on this one.
Samuel Adams Longshot Grätzer pours to a pale yellow color with a thick, rocky head formation and a crackery, slightly smoky nose. Taking a sip, the beer has tart wheat right at the forefront followed by the smoke. It really permeates the brew with an aromatic hickory character, and leads perfectly into the lightly grassy, gently bitter Saaz hop finish.
Not a lot to say about this one, as to me it is fairly straightforward. The gentle smokiness plays perfectly against the lighter bodied wheat, and this one just works perfectly. This is a 5 star beer for me, and for many reasons. Sure, another version may come along from another brewer that’s bolder and perhaps more flavorful. But this one is simply delicious, and as often as I’ve said Boston Beer deserves much credit for introducing different styles to newcomers to craft beer, here they are doing it for a seasoned 30 year veteran. Add to that they do it while supporting homebrewers and well, you’ve got a winner of a beer, folks.
And remember, try a new beer today, and drink outside the box.
*Pricing data accurate at time of review or latest update. For reference only, based on actual price paid by reviewer.
(B)=Bottled
(D)=Draft