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chatRare Beer Club 4-Bottle Selections - December 2024
Pinot Noir Barrel Aged Scotch Silly 2019
Brasserie De Silly – Silly, Walonia, Belgium
[Strong Scotch Ale aged in Pinot Noir Barrels - 10% ABV]
Belgium's historic Brasserie de Silly has long-standing brewing heritage dating back six generations. The brewery was founded all the way back in 1850, in the small village of Silly, 25 miles southwest of Brussels, by Marcelin Hypolite Mynbrughen. It was originally called Cense de la Tour. Marcelin's first beer, Saison Silly, was created from his own malted harvest of barley, and was the beginning of many great Belgian classics ahead. In 1900, Mynbrughen's grandson Adelin received a silver medal for the brewery at the Paris World Exhibition. It was during World War I, with the aid of Scottish soldiers stationed in Silly, that the brewery's Scotch Silly beer was born. In 1950 a pilsner was added and distributed by the brewery's own set of cafes. A series of beers under the Enghein label-including Enghien Blonde, Enghien Brune and Enghien Noël-served to further extend the lineup starting in 1975.
This special release from Brasserie de Silly, a limited barrel-aged offering of the brewery's famous Scotch Silly ale, gets aged in a particular type of barrel, the variety of which varies each year., Tthis one, aged in Pinot Noir barrels, was something special. It combines the rich, caramelly impact of its Scotch Silly base with fruity, vinous counterpoints from that residual barrel character. The aromatics here are generous in fruit and barrel elements, with tempered cherry and deep berry notes mixing with that oaky interior of Pinot Noir barrels: lightly charred, but mellowed by vanilla-almond notes. The nose of this Pinot-influenced Scotch ale is super-friendly and its mouthfeel has a smooth texture and effervescent underpinning of bubbles. Beyond the dense aromatics, the flavor takes that cherry/red-fruit scale and seems to expand it in a huge way, bringing in notes of strawberries, fruit leather, candied oranges, and rich dates. This well-aged vintage of the Brasserie de Silly Pinot Noir Barrel Scotch Silly has not been distributed in the US in the last 18 months, making this a very rare beer indeed. Enjoy!
Samichlaus Classic 2023
Schloss Eggenberg – Vorchdorf, Austria
[Strong Doppelbock - 14% ABV]
Early brewing records indicate that the area around Schloss Eggenberg was known for producing beer dating back to the 10th century. The Eggenberg Castle, which houses the brewery, was constructed in its current form in the 14th century, and serves as a focal point of the region. The brewery came into prominence in 1681 when it was purchased by the Stöhr family, whose legacy of brewing excellence continues today, now under the stewardship of the ninth generation. First brewed in Switzerland and later adopted by Schloss Eggenberg, their very limited-production Samichlaus is a prime example of the brewery's ability to innovate while respecting tradition.
The world-famous Samichlaus Classic is brewed just once a year on December 6th (the day of St. Nicholas), then gets matured for ten months before being bottled. At 14% ABV, it's one of the strongest lagers in the world. The Rare Beer Club was allocated the only portion of the 2023 Samichlaus Classic bottled in 750ml bottles, and we've found this vintage to be one of our best experiences ever with this classic.
Pouring a deep, rich amber to mahogany color with ruby highlights, it offers intensely rich and complex aromas including caramelized sugar and toffee, notes of dark fruits, plus a hint of molasses. Subtle undertones of toasted nuts, brown bread, and a whisper of chocolate balance the sweetness. A warming, almost brandy-like aroma lingers, contributing to its luxurious depth. On the palate, we get a bold sweetness that mirrors its aroma-layers of caramel, toffee, and dark molasses dominate, followed by complex ripe dark fruit flavors of dates, cherries, and figs. As it warms, notes of vanilla, toasted oak, and a touch of sherry-like oxidation appear, enhancing the beer's depth. The alcohol is warming but well-integrated, and the body is full and velvety, with a syrupy, almost decadent texture-but the beer's smooth carbonation provides just enough lift to keep it from feeling overly heavy. Samichlaus Classic is a masterpiece of balance and complexity, perfect for sipping and savoring on a cold evening.
