Ramstein Winter Wheat Beer

January 14, 2010

If you’ve been following this beer blog recently, you’ll know that I’m making a conscious effort to buy New Jersey craft beers when I go on the prowl for new beers.

Earlier in the week we reviewed the tasty Grand Cru Winter Reserve by New Jersey’s Flying Fish brewery, and now we’re going to check out another winter seasonal beer!  This one is  from New Jersey’s High Point Wheat Beer Company, and its a 9.5%ABV Doppelbock called Ramstein Winter Wheat.

Ramstein Winter Wheat is a personal first on two fronts.  First, its the first beer that I’m trying from High Point Brewing, and second its my first domestic Doppelbock.  A Doppelbock, according to the German Beer Institute, is literally a ‘Double Bock’ beer.  Here’s their definition…

“Doppelbock  (literally “double bock”) is a stronger and usually darker version of the Bavarian Bockbier. It is exceptionally malty, with very little bitterness.  Standard Doppelbocks may have as much as 7% alcohol by volume. I n the strongest versions (around 10 to 13%), you can actually taste the alcohol.”

Just so we’re on the same page!

As I mentioned, the Ramstein Winter heat weighs in at 9.5% ABV, and is apparently this brewer’s strongest beer.

As you can see in the picture, this is a very dark wheat beer.  In spite of the picture on High Point’s website, my particular Winter Wheat created just the smallest of a head.  Not sure what the deal was there, but the beer seemed almost flat.

The aroma was fairly strong, and as the definition above suggests, I could definitely pick up on the malty aromas, along with a prune-like sweetness.

The taste was interesting.  Much like the aroma, there is a good deal of malt flavors, and yeah there’s that sweet prune-like flavor that is evident to me and it lasts well into the aftertaste.  I like it!

Not surprisingly I guess, the Ramstein Winter Wheat is not bitter at all, nor is it big on hop flavors.  Its a smooth, sweet warming beer that I’m finding is VERY easy going down.  For a beer at almost 10% ABV, the alcohol flavor and aroma is very well hidden – so you need to be a little careful if you’re having a few of these!

While trying the Ramstein Winter Wheat, I couldn’t help but think it reminded me of something I’ve had before.  Then it dawned on me.  Aventinus!  If you’ve had the Aventinus, you’ll have a pretty good idea what this beer tastes and smells like.  Personally, I didn’t care for the Aventinus because the alcohol flavor and aroma came through in too big of a way (not my thing) even though the Aventinus ‘only’ weighs in at 8.2%ABV.  Go figure.

Anyway, I really enjoyed this Winter Wheat doppelbock from New Jersey’s High Point Brewing.  I’m going to make it a point to try some of their other stuff in the future, and I’d suggest the same to you.

4 stars easy! Rating:

What to you think of High Point’s Winter Wheat?  Not from Jersey?  OK, what your favorite Doppelbock?  I’m curious to try others now!

Posted in 4 Star Reviews, Ales, American Beers, Bocks, Porters and Stouts, Seasonal Beers, Wheat Beers