Millstream Brewing Company - Schild Brau Amber

Schild Brau is Millsteam's flagship beer, having been around since the brewery's opening in 1985, and over the years this Vienna-style lager has brought home a lot of hardware from numerous brewing competitions, including multiple Gold, Silver, and Bronze medals from the G.A.B.F. as well as Gold from the 2010 World Beer Cup. Presenting a clear copperish-amber hue with some off-white foam, this brew offers up an inviting and classic aroma. Look for a nice dose of caramel and hints of toffee, with some toasted bready notes, mild undertones of dried fruit, and a dash of resinous, spicy hops. The flavor follows suit with a malt-centric character presenting toast and caramel, amidst a very smooth medium-bodied texture. Hop bitterness is low, but provides plenty of balance for this satisfying lager which lingers on the palate with a touch of grain. For pairing options, the brewery recommends dishes which will highlight the beer's caramelization, such as barbecued meats, grilled veggies, ham, pork chops, pizzas, steaks, and smoked fish. Cheers!

If ever there was a place long overdue for a new brewery, it was Amana, IA. Until the Millstream Brewing Company opened their doors in 1985, the area had not been graced by the presence of a brewery for over 100 years. Why it took that long to get a brewery going in Amana, we don't know. What we do know is that the Millstream Brewing Company, founded by brothers James & Dennis Roemig and Carroll F. Zuber, was the first microbrewery in the state of Iowa, and was born out of a love for the finest European ales & lagers and the will to brew great, handcrafted beers locally. Oh, another thing we know... 35 years after their beers hit the market, they just keep getting better!

In 2001 the brewery was sold to its current owners, Chris Priebe and Tom & Teresa Albert. Master brewer Chris trained at Chicago's world-famous Siebel Institute of Brewing Technology, so rest assured, his brewing skills make the cut on paper... But hey, paper doesn't taste all that great, so get to the tasting notes below and pour a couple Millstream beers for the real proof.

If you're ever in the area of Amana, IA, stop by Millstream's Brau Haus for some tasty German pub fare in addition to their excellent beers (as well as their hand-crafted root beer, ginger beer, and cream soda). For more information about the brewery and scheduled tours, call 319-622-3672 or check out their web site at www.millstreambrewing.com .