December 7th, 2012
Beer Advent Calendar – Day 7: Schell’s Snowstorm presented by Frank Barrett
@fnbarrett
It may not be snowing outside, but it is inside this glass!
Beer Advent Calendar – Day 7: Schell’s Snowstorm presented by Frank Barrett
To celebrate the Holiday Season, 2Beerguys.com and Seacoastbeveragelab.com have teamed up with beer bloggers around the country to host the first annual beer bloggers advent calendar. This is the season of sharing and we intend to share our love of beer with you. 31 Bloggers Blogging – click herefor the running list of beers/bloggers. Let’s see who is spreading holiday cheer today!
Blogger: Frank Barrett
Blog Name: frankbarrettsbrain.com / gettingtankedwithfrank.com
Twitter: @fnbarrett on the twitter
Beer: Schell’s Snowstorm
Brewery: New Ulm, MN
Beer Details:
- Style: Biére de Noél
- ABV: 7.5
Commercial Description: A French style Christmas beer. Expect a light amber beer with red tints that is malt forward with noticeable yeast flavors of white pepper and citrus from an authentic French ale yeast. Slight herbal hop note in the background, with a spicy, citrusy, peppery aroma.
Why I selected the 2012 Snowstorm:
So, I’m going to preface this review with the following disclaimers. I haven’t done an episode of GTWF since April and my blogging has been lax as of late. The one thing I have been doing is exercising my liver by drinking, which I am doing while writing this. The entire 6’er. Buckle up and Happy Festivus.
If you’ve never had anything from Schell’s, you have no idea what you’re missing out on, which is why I’m going to tell you. Nestled in the hills of New Ulm, MN, Schell’s has been cranking out awesome beers for the last 150+ years, at least 5 of which I can vouch for. Every year for the last three, I’ve anxiously awaited the release of the latest Snowstorm. Just when I thought it couldn’t get any better than last years, BAM! Schell’s and their wonderful artisans knock it out of the park again. Like a kid on Christmas Eve, I was hitting all the local beer distribution centers asking if anyone had the 2012 Snowstorm, coming up dry every place I went. Had it not been for Hy-Vee, a local grocer, and the friendship I’ve built with the manager of the “Spirits” department, I would have had to wait an additional week for the wonderous libation. Knowing I’d been asking for it, he held some to the side for me. Yeah, It’s nice being me. When people say I may have a problem, I correct them and say I’m a professional, but I digress, back to the review. This paragraph killed the first bottle, so let me go recharge, be right back.
Wow, all I can say is this is liquid gold. Next time I’m in town, I’m going to bro-hug @schellbrewer on the twitter, because he is a true craftsman. Normally I’d bag on the French, but if this is their style of Christmas Beer, I’ll have more s’il vous plait! Lots of citrus on this bad boy, and not a lot of hoppiness, which is perfect for me. Light amber, pepper scents dancing in the nose, true bliss. I’m now polishing off the second. Time for a refill. Number three is going down as easy as the first two. I’m going to have to grab a few more of these bad boys and store them for the end of days in a few weeks, cause if I’m gonna go, it’ll be with this in my belly.
Okay, time for another disclaimer. I wrote this as I was drinking last night, and the review if you can call it that, gets much worse after that third beverage. I thought it’d be funny, but in retrospect not so much. My chicken scratch is tough to read anyway, but add to it these fine beers from the boys at Schell’s and its downright illegible. I’ll summarize with this, if you can get some Snowstorm, you owe it to yourself to try it. If you don’t have access to any, or it’s not in your area, shoot me a note and we’ll arrange a trade. It’s that good.
Til next year, Happy Holiday Beers everyone!
About the Frank Barrett:
Frank is an IT Consultant from the great state of Iowa. Married for the last 15 years to a wonderful wife named Carmen, and the father of two sons, Frank spends what free time he has running, biking, reading or enjoying the more than occasional adult beverage. You can find him online at his website or the twitter.
About August Schell Brewing Company:
August Schell Brewing Company is located in New Ulm, MN, sitting atop the same site it was built on in 1860. With its sprawling grounds, beautiful gardens, Schell Mansion, and even a deer park, the brewery is a tourist destination for any beer lover. Schell’s boasts a proud heritage of continuous family ownership and finely crafted beers. Brewery tours and tastings are offered at the brewery on Friday, Saturday, and Sundays. For more information on Schell’s Brewery or any of their 17 quality beers, go to www.schellsbrewery.com.