Schell's Firebrick

This is a 5.0% ABV Vienna-style amber lager from the August Schell Brewery of New Ulm, Minnesota. They brew a wide variety of beers, both under the Schell's label and as contract brewers.  In addition, they now own and brew the Grain Belt line of beers.  They are the second oldest family owned brewery in the United States (over 150 years and counting).  I think that Yuengeling is probably the oldest family owned brewery.

The beer pours dark amber and light chestnut brown in color. There is a relatively short head of off-white foam. The aroma is malty, roasted, lots of rich caramel, a touch nutty, with light plum. The taste follows the aromas, nicely roasted malts, toasty, with the caramel and nuttiness. The finish is dry and lightly bitter. The beer drinks easy, with the carbonation of an American lager. You could really drink the Firebrick out of this beer!

Tasting good in 2016 too: The beer pours a clear amber and dark copper. There is a half-inch of off-white head. The aroma is toasted malt, caramel, with grassy hops. The taste follows the aromas, a bed of toasted and caramel malt, with a tangy and grassy hop finish. There is some sweetness, but the end is dry, with a light to moderate bitterness. The beer drinks both smooth and refreshingly carbonated at the same time; unbelievably slammable. This is fun to drink.


The bottle from their 150th year, 2010-2011: