The Fredericksburg Brewing Company is tucked away in the heart of the Texas Hill Country. This area of Texas is a somewhat well-known, yet also underrated and hidden as well. I got the chance to come back to a fantastic town on Christmas Eve with my kids. I’ve always loved coming to Fredericksburg and this time around was special. Dating all the way back to 1994 when the ‘great’ state of Texas finally allowed the operations of brewpubs within it’s borders.
Located in a restored two story 1890′s building (to historical standards) the first floor of this building houses the restaurant and the copper and stainless brewing equipment. In the back, is housed the German style biergarten (typical for this area of Texas). They have also had their fare share of awards, to include being “..recognized in the Munchner-Style Helles beer-style category for its Hauptstrasse Helles (Mainstreet Light). Rick Green, Master Brewer and Alton Huebner, assistant brewer describe their winning beer as “Our lightest lager which is pale-golden, delicate, and mild. A light, Bavarian Style Lager of the type made famous in the bier halls of Munich”. The 2008 Great American Beer Festival Competition winners were selected by an International panel of brewing experts from an impressive field of 2,335 entries. More than 1,200 breweries were invited to compete. “The Great American Beer Festival is the premier judging event for the American Craft beer industry”, says Nancy Johnson, Festival Director. Being chosen a winner is truly an accomplishment”.
There’s also a little more for those willing to hang around for more than a few hours. The second floor has a cute little Bed and Breakfast. The second floor has twelve rooms, each with a different and unique Texas theme.
If I had to pick, and I do, I’d throw this one into the Winter Warmer category. Although a little hoppier than most Warmers, most warmers are malty and a little sweet. Color is often brownish red to very dark. Not a lot of hops usually, but often a lot of alcohol warmth. English versions are not often spiced, those that are spiced,usually blend ales with spices and hops. American warmers many have a hops bitterness. Sierra Nevada Celebration is a good example.
Poured into a pint glass, the appearance is that a rich, deep, caramel. Poured slowly, the carbonation trickled to the top leaving a a one finger head.
Aroma is all hops on this winter warmer. Faint smell of caramel. Very hoppy and a nice floral aroma. The aroma has bite!
The first taste said it all. Hops, hops and more hops. On the second taste the caramel comes out, complimenting the strong hops and balancing out the flavors. The Chinook and simcoe hops thrown in seem to give it the bite that comes out strong.
Mouthfeel is nice. Crisp, yet with a little heaviness to it that you’d expect from a warmer.
Had this with a nice homemade apple strudel, with paired well. Weighing in at 8.2% ABV it allows you to have another..
