When I was working in East Germany a few years ago, near a mid-sized town called Erfurt in the Thuringia region (somewhere between Berlin and Frankfurt), we loved the local beers. One of them, Radeberger, a great pilsner is now more commonly available in the States. Every night my co-workers and I would have a delicious glass (or glasses) with the foam forming a mountainous peak, and enjoy white aspargus in season, as well as delicious dumplings.
One beer that I especially loved was a black lager, Kostritzer, made in a small town called Bad Kostritz. I did some research, and the brewery, according to Wikipedia, was founded in 1543. The label mentions that the beer was a favorite of famous German writer Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, afer whom a street in Chicago is named, and the label of the beer has a painting of what appears to be Goethe himself.
The brewery survived world wars and communism to be a popular regional beer in Thuringia. The brewery's website was all German, and while I was able to figure out that I passed the minimum age (16) to view the website I couldn't figure out much more. I did enjoy the opening video, which faintly reminded me of those Old Style ads from the early 1980s that discussed "krausening".
About a year ago or so, I was pleasantly surprised to find Kostritzer turn up on the shelves at Binny's (I found it later at Sam's). Unlike a lot of dark American microbrews, Kostritzer does not have the heaviness or sweetness, even compared to Sam Adams black lager. It has a malty taste but is not overpowering.
Kostritzer Schwartzbier "Germany's Black Lager"
Sam's and Binny's
How are the alpha-numeric codes on the back of the 12 oz bottle deciphered?
Thanks,
Peter
Posted by: Peter Ljubic | June 28, 2008 at 05:58 AM
I don't know as I don't have any in my fridge. What would the alphanumeric codes indicate?
Posted by: Brian | June 28, 2008 at 08:56 AM