Franconian Beer Message Board

Annafestabend...Annafest Eve

Posted by Nick B. on 2008-07-26 04:30:55

With a free warm, dry, Friday afternoon, we thought we'd head to the Kellerwald to see how the setup of the Fest was going, and to see if any Keller(s) were already pouring Festbier. Lo and behold, several were indeed, and even better--at better, pre-Fest prices. The best price I noticed was 4,60 € for Eichhorn (at the Eichhorn Keller, as opposed to the Blümlein's, which was not open), whereas the others I saw were charging 5 €. This, compared to the expected Fest price of 6,50 € was indeed a good deal. Also nice is the availability of *Seidla(s)* at all but Greif (who did sell me a Schnitt instead)--on the eve of the Annafest. The stands and rides were being set up, and appeared mostly ready. There weren't many people around; perhaps more than usual for a nice non-Fest Friday afternoon, so that was also enjoyable. As evening wore on though, it got busier, at least at the Rappen Keller where we ended our session before heading to the Bahnhof. We tried Hebendanz, St. Georgen Bräu (where we also ate OK Pizzaschnitzel & Holzfällersteak), Greif, and Löwenbräu. Those coming to the Fest who don't want their first impressions spoiled by my comments on these four beers should stop reading now. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . St. G is a bit bland, I think sweeter than last year's. Okay, but like their other beers, boring compared to the competition. Löwenbräu's (Schaufel Keller) reminds me of last year's, but is perhaps not as hoppy and bitter. Tough to say, because the only times I had it last year were after having already drunk quite a few others, which is to say that my palate as well as my recollection was affected. Good enough for a second Seidla. Greif--almost shockingly free of obvious defects or procedural problems! The previous two years' beers had been dreadful: undrinkably DMS-ridden in 2006, and last year's was...I forget what. This year's is perhaps a bit bland, but quite pleasant and drinkable. A bit better than the bottled version. The big let-down was Hebendanz. Last year's was beautifully hoppy, from some resinous hop sort(s). Like their Hell, but bigger and stronger. Yesterday's did have some resinous hop aroma, but very, very little came through in the flavour, and the beer was also just simply a bit bland, even as if something happened during the mash. I didn't even finish mine. It was just unpleasant, to have so much promise from the nose not being delivered in the mouth. I'll try it again though.

Annafestabend...Annafest Eve by Uncle Jimbo on 2008-07-27 19:44:51