Christmastime is almost upon us, and as I am wont to do at this festive time of year, I like to stop in at Aldi periodically to see all the holiday goodies imported from Germany. If you don’t already know, Aldi is short for Albrecht Diskont, and is actually two separate companies: Aldi Nord and Aldi Sud. In the United Sates, Aldi is Aldi Sud, but Aldi Nord operates here too: they own Trader Joe’s.

In addition to the great German food items Aldi carries, Aldi also carries German beer. For many years, they sold Wernesgruner Pils as their sole German import, but earlier this year I was happy to see 4-packs of Feldschlosschen (Feldschloesschen) Maibock. Yesterday I picked up a second beer from the Dresden-based brewer, Feldschlosschen Schwarzbier.

My great grandfather emigrated to the United States from the German state of Sachsen, of which Dresden is the capitol city, so this beer has a special appeal to me. Feldschlosschen, which dates back to 1858,  tells their own story on their website:

The Feldschlößchen brewery site in Coschütz, Dresden is situated on the southern slopes of the Elbe valley, one of the most beautiful landscapes in Germany.

Today Feldschlößchen Aktiengesellschaft is one of the largest breweries in Saxony. The reputation of our beers is founded on a wealth of many years of brewing experience combined with modern, sustainable technologies.

Feldschlosschen sells a bottled Schwarzbier in Germany which is almost certainly the same beer we are getting through Aldi. They sell only in bottles and draft locally, but the beer has the same alcohol strength. That beer is called Feldschlosschen Schwarzer Steiger and they describe as follows:

Kräftige Röstmalzaromen, eine tiefschwarze Farbe und eine fein abgestimmte Hopfennote machen den Schwarzen Steiger zu einem charaktervollenErlebnis.

Don’t speak German? Learn.

Feldschlosschen Schwarzbier has an alcohol content of 5% by volume and I paid $5.99 for a 4-pack of 500 ML (16.9 ounce) cans. Mine are very fresh as they are stamped on the bottom with a packaging date of September 3^rd, 2016 and a best by date of October 28^th, 2017.

Feldschlosschen Schwarzbier pours to more of a dark brown to light black color with a medium creamy head and a soft inviting coffeeish nose. The beer is smooth and easy drinking in the palate with a slightly nutty fresh maltiness, gentle chocolate and coffee notes, faint hints of molasses and perhaps even a touch of licorice. The beer is clean (of esters mind you) and finishes with a soft grassy hoppiness and a bit of light roast.

So easy to drink and flavorful, this reminds me of Kostritzer with a few differences. Get it while the getting is good, as I’m sure that Feldschlosschen Schwarzbier won’t last long. Especially at the bargain price.

And remember, try a new beer today, and drink outside the box.

*Pricing data accurate at time of review or latest update. For reference only, based on actual price paid by reviewer.

(B)=Bottled

(D)=Draft



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