Schmaltz Brewing Company - He'Brew "Jewbilation Reborn" American strong ale

Today’s beer is one my brother Dan picked out. He’s been urging me to check out kosher brewery Schmaltz for at least a year now; I’ve not yet been able to find any of the beers he’s suggested (although Schmaltz is readily available.) For our vacation enjoyment, he did pick up a 22oz bomber of Schmaltz's milestone 17th anniversary ale (which is coincidental, since this post is a milestone as well...it's my 100th post to this blog!!)

This beer is the first brewed in Schmaltz's own space - for 17 years, they contract-brewed in other breweries. They finally bought their own space in Clifton Park, NY, and made this brew as an anniversary offering.  It's a special creation, made with 17 different kinds of malts and 17 different kinds of hops. And if that wasn't enough of the number 17, they also made it highly alcoholic - it weighs in at a whopping 17% ABV. Yes, 17% ABV. This beer is three times stronger than most beers, and 1.5 times stronger than many wines. The only other beer that I've had that comes close to this in terms of alcohol content is the Dogfish Head 120 Minute IPA.

So we’re dealing with a super-strong mix-master ale. Dan, my mother and I cracked it open and girded ourselves for battle.

The nose is very sweet – like a dark rum cake. Pretty sugary on the nose.

The eye – the beer’s appearance – is black with a khaki-colored head that dissipates quickly. Watching the head subside shows how high-gravity this beer is – pour it out, and the beer separates from the foam very quickly. It is a deep brown when candled. 

The taste starts out with cream soda flavors and develops into a very strong, dark beer with toasted wood flavors. The flavor profile is rather interesting – it’s got mostly heavy, sweet malts that make for a strong and heavy beer. The hops – 17 of them, evidently – are well-hidden. There are some moderate alcohol flavors, cloaked well in the variety of tastes in the beer. The finish is sweet and strong, and lingers for some time.

I liked it. I would certainly grab one again, if not to lay down, to try with friends. Certainly this beer will age nicely. It's pretty much as strong as they come and as such the taste is centered around the unusually-strong flavor profile which may not be suitable for novice beer drinkers. But I'm certainly glad I tried it!