Beer 295 - Schell's Hopfenmalz (4 stars out of 5)

August Schell Brewing, New Ulm, MN.  Bought by Rigo on his latest flight around the North East checking on cables and drunk at home in Katy, TX just after arriving home after an amazing day driving a NASCAR race car at Texas Motor Speedway.   We drove to the speedway from the hotel this morning, checked in with Team Texas and drove 10 laps around Texas Motor Speedway at relatively high speed - around 140 miles and hour - with an instructor by my side.   It was an amazing experience. Thanks to Patricia for my Christmas present.

the brewery web site: http://www.schellsbrewery.com/ourbeers_info.php?id=28

The web site says :"Introducing ‘Hopfenmalz,’ the commemorative beer for the 150th Anniversary of the August Schell Brewing Company. Hopfenmalz was part of the Anniversary Draft Series, a collection of eight single batch, limited release brews which took place over the past two years. Fans were asked to go online and vote for their favorite in the series, with the winner becoming the commemorative beer for the sesquicentennial year. The votes are in, and the fans have spoken. So join us as we raise a glass and celebrate 150 years of brewing history with Schell’s Hopfenmalz! Prosit!
Hopfenmalz incorporates the elegant drinkability of a Pilsner, the bready maltiness of a Vienna Lager, and the hopping of a Pale Ale. The malty backbone is beautifully balanced by a bright, citrusy hop aroma and bitterness. Then we lagered it for an extended period of time to give it a crisp, dry finish.
Beer Style: Amber Lager, Alcohol By Volume: 4.9%"

A very nice beer, but perhaps I did not give it justice as I was very thirsty after the 300 mile drive back from Fort Worth (though I slept part of the way as Patricia drove)  The beer poured nicely and the first taste was great, in fact the taste was good enough that I took a very large drink and it was very satisfying.  The rest of the beer was drunk in short order and tasted pretty good as it went down.