Breweries

Divine Reserve 16 Release

It’s time for another great release from Saint Arnold Brewing Company: Divine Reserve 16. Divine Reserve 16 (DR 16) is not the typical German-style beer from Saint Arnold; this one is unique, and the first Adambier the brewery has created.

If you’re like me, you might be wondering: “What is an Adambier?”

According to the Brewers Association, Adambier is a pre-Reinheitsgebot style that has been making a slow comeback in the U.S. and internationally. It was a historically smoky ale, thriving in and around the Dortmund, Germany area. Adambier was a strong (about 10% abv), dark, sour beer, which was top-fermented and then aged in wood for long periods; it was always aged for at least a year, and often for longer.

DR 16 is a unique release for Saint Arnold as it’s the first time they’ve used smoked, or “rauch,” malt in one of their beers.

Rauchmalt is best described as German wood-smoked malt that contributes a smoky flavor to beers. The brewing operations manager from Saint Arnold, Stephen Rawlings, wanted to create a smoked beer, as German-style beers are in his brewing wheelhouse.

Saint Arnold describes the beer as follows:

DR16 is a full bodied beer with a prominent, but not overpowering, smoked wood aroma (almost like a campfire), which comes from the use of Rauchmalt. It’s the first time we’ve used smoked malt in a beer. There is a subtle Noble hop aroma and a slight caramel character that becomes more prominent as the beer warms up. The smokiness dominates through the crisp, KÃ¶lsch yeast inspired, finish. DR16 has a moderately-high bitterness that is balanced nicely by its residual malty sweetness, and there is no lack of alcohol warmth as you easily finish a pint. DR16 comes in right at 10% ABV.

Reserve No. 16: Adambier Date Brewed: December 9, 2015 Date Bottled: February 9, 2016 Original Gravity: 1.100 Final Gravity: 1.024 Alcohol: 10.0% ABV IBU: 44 Malts: Munich, Rauchmalt, Honey Malt, Carafa, Melanoidin Hops: Bravo, Hersbrucker Yeast: KÃ¶lsch

Here are some locations around Houston that you will find the beer on draft: