May 10th, 2014 - The Immortal Legacy Of The Samichlaus Classic Bier

Good Saturday evening!!  The Meista here on a rainy night here is Salt Lake City with a pairing dedicated to intensity and aggression done right... a Samichlaus Classic Bier from Brauerei Schloss Eggenberg and "Immortal Legacy" by Hirax!  And this pairing goes out to Hirax bandleader and vocalist, Katon W. De Pena, metal veteran, a fellow craft beer fan, and all-around bad-ass!!  Cheers Mr. De Pena!!

Released on February 24th, 2014, "Immortal Legacy" is the 5th studio album by thrash metal legends Hirax, one of the earliest California thrash bands. Led by vocalist De Pena (the only original member), Hirax brings the hammer down with their latest album!  Jorge Iacobellis drumming is in a word, BRUTAL!  The bass work of Steve Harrison and the guitar work of Lance Harrison is fiery, fast, furious, and absolute metal perfection!  And De Pena's vocals are as fresh, unique, and as intense as his work from 30 years ago!  Each track is pure thrash metal profundity!  Here's the complete track list:

1. "Black Smoke" - 4:35
2. "Hellion Rising" - 4:05
3. "Victims of the Dead" - 3:07
4. "Thunder Roar, The Conquest, La Boca de la Bestia (The Mouth of the Beast)" - 4:54
5. "Earthshaker" - 0:44
6. "Tied to the Gallows Pole" - 4:05
7. "Deceiver" - 3:42
8. "Immortal Legacy" - 4:40
9. "S.O.W." - 0:57
10. "Violence of Action" - 3:36
11. "Atlantis (Journey to Atlantis) - 1:30
12. "The World Will Burn - 2:07

I just ordered and picked up this killer gem this week from my buddy Kevin at the Heavy Metal Shop (www.heavymetalshop.com) and you should too!!  Tell 'im Brews And Tunes sent ya!

The Samichlaus Classic Bier from Brauerei Schloss Eggenberg (the oldest family owned brewery in Austria and an actual castle!) is a big, bold Dopplebock (a strong German lager).  The Samichlaus Classic Bier is brewed only once per year (on December 6th) and was once hailed as the strongest beer in the world (coming in at 14% ABV!)... yeah this one is a beast!  Like a fine brandy or whiskey, the Samichlaus is aged for 10 months before bottling.  It pours a beautiful ruby amber with a very thin head.  The nose is characterized by rich malt aromas and sweet, dark fruit aromas.  There are notes of raisin bread, candied apples, dates, plums, and figs along with maple and brown sugar.  The mouthfeel is thick and sticky in this full-bodied brew with minimal carbonation.  The finish is biting and boozy.  It is almost more akin to a barley wine than it is to a Dopplebock... definitely more of a sipper.  The flavor is an exercise in intensity!  There are big, aggressive notes of sweet and boozy cherry juice, bourbon, pure maple syrup, cocoa, and roasted malt.  Robust, aggressive, and very intense in flavor, this brew packs a punch and demands that you sit down and take notice... just like Hirax's "Immortal Legacy"!! 

Hails, Prosit, and Zum Wohl!!