The Swill: Samichlaus Bier
The Still: Castle Brewery
Eggenberg, Austria
http://www.eggenberger.at
The Drill: Lager/Doppelbock, 11.2oz Bottle, 14% ABV
The Spill: Put the kids to bed before popping this one open. One of the most alcoholic beers around, it may cause a contact buzz. Chock full of malt to fuel the fermentation process, highly sweet, fruity overtones prevail. However, the alcohol is also unmistakable. Not for chugging, this is another beer which requires a slow, patient enjoyment, and perhaps even the use of the buddy system to finish it off. Look for a golden raisin note within the creamy mouthfeel.
Says Bill: Samichlaus is how they say Santa Claus in Zurich, which is where the beer was originally crafted in 1979. The label says my beer was bottled in 2006, which means it was brewed on December 6, 2005. This beer is only brewed on December 6 each year, the Day of Saint Nicholas in Europe. It's then fermented for the better part of a year in order to let the yeast do all of its work converting sugars into alcohol. It works. Many wines don't have this much alcohol in them. Almost no other beer does.
Refill?: Strap yourself down to something before trying it. Or maybe just drink it already lying down: 3.5 taps out of 5.