Arnold’s Ziffel by Listermann
Yesterday evening I was lucky enough (thanks to 5chw4r7z) to attend a very special beer tasting. To celebrate the premiere of Harry’s Law, a show featuring Cincinnati and, in particular, Arnold’s, Dan Listermann and Co. are brewing a smoked altbier named Arnolds Ziffel. Listermann, in addition to owning a great homebrew supply shop, bottles and sells some limited beers that they themselves brew and bottle. Folks were invited to come and try four different variations of Arnolds Ziffel to help Dan determine which was going to be the final product.
This smoked altbier was chosen to celebrate traditional brewing methods. The four variations broke down as follows: 1) two variations with 50% smoked malts / 50% unsmoked malts, each using a different yeast strain and; 2)two variations with 100% smoked malts, each using a difference yeast strain. While there aren’t a ton of variables to take into account, the difference between the four variations in terms of color, smell, and taste was huge.
Though it’s difficult to tell from the picture, the front two are the 50/50 malt blends and the back two are the variations utilizing 100% smoked malts. The 50/50 beers are paler and have a higher clarity, while having a fruitier, sweeter smell and taste. The 100% smoked malt beers are much darker and cloudier, with a stronger smoke smell and a robustness that isn’t found in the other two.
In my opinion, these two were clearly superior not only in taste and smell (though they weren’t as pretty), but they hit the mark with what Dan was trying to do in putting them together. I probably should have prefaced all of this by noting that I’m not a big drinker of alts (let alone smoked alts), but having him explain to us what he was aiming for in brewing this helped making judging this much easier. Almost all of us agreed on which was the most appropriate variation to move forward with, so I’m sure that made Dan’s life easier. I’m not going to tell you which one it was; you’ll just have to get over there on September 21 and try it for yourself.
By all means, don’t wait until the 21st to get over there and have a drink, though. Arnold’s is busy slinging delicious drinks and grub every day of the week except Sunday. While you’re at it, give Listermann some business too. Whether you just want to pick up a few of their beers, replenish your depleted homebrew supplies, or start new altogether, they can help you out. Both of these businesses care about beer and about Cincinnati. That’s as good a reason I’ve heard to support a business.
Prost!
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Thanks for such a nice post and thanks for coming. It was a great evening!
Great stuff Josh, this is why I wanted some good beer guys on board!