Beer of the Week 01/06/22

Von Trapp Maple Rauchbier

Regularly $11.99/ Now on Sale for $10.96
Smoked Lager with Maple Syrup

In the shadow of Mt. Manfield, nestled among the hiking trails and ski slopes of northern Vermont, lies Von Trapp Brewing Company, a craft beer company specializing in lagers. However, don’t let that specialization make you think that all they have to offer are mild, golden beers. Oh no.

The Maple Rauchbier — like so many good beers — is a triumph in balance. First Von Trapp starts with a touch of smoked Munich and Carafa malt, not a lot mind you — just enough to give you a firm body and a backbone that supports its noble hops. They then add maple syrup from the sugarhouse at the neighboring Van Trapp Family Lodge and Resort.

Now, we thought that the maple syrup would compete with the smoked malts. However, the way they’re mixed, they actually compliment each other. So what we get is this maple smokiness or this smokey maple-icity. Whatever. It’s good.

Bonus Beer of the Week (‘Cause in 2022, good things just have to come in twos!)

Pleasure House Without Question

Regularly $9.99 / Now on Sale for $7.96
Lager / Small Beer

Pleasure House Brewing is one of the many fine breweries in Virginia Beach. (What’s going on in Virginia Beach?) Aware that the craft beer world is growing more and more focused on local options, Pleasure House 1) embraces its role as a place where the community can gather (at least pre-COVID communities) and 2) looks to use local ingredients and to support local talent. They brew small batch beers to insure their quality offerings in five categories — “Belgian,” “Hop Forward,” “Lager,” “Malty,” and “Sour.”

Pleasure House calls their Without Question “A Miami Style Lager.” We’re not sure that’s a thing, but we’re always eager to learn more beer esoteria. What the Without Question certainly is (without question) is a small beer. Small beers are beers that have very little alcohol. We’re talking two or three percent ABV. At only 3.6% ABV, the Without Question takes “sessionable” to a deeper level.

However, Pleasure House has not sacrificed flavor with alcohol. The Without Question benefits from having tropical hops added late in the boil to give the lager tropical fruit notes. If all the cool kids are doing dry January, but you’re not willing to go that far (and why would you), we’ve got your brew.

Remember!

You can see our entire beer inventory on Untappd.com!