Aecht Schlenkerla Weichsel Rotbier

Aecht Schlenkerla Weichsel Rotbier is a traditional German smoked beer produced by Heller-Bräu Trum Bamberg, a brewery located in Bamberg, Germany. This unique beer style, known as Rotbier (red lager), was once common in Franconia, particularly in the city of Nuremberg. Due to its labor-intensive production process, Rotbier was replaced in the 19th century by Braunbier (brown lager), which was produced using modern, simpler brewing methods. The style experienced a revival in 1997.

The brewing process for Aecht Schlenkerla Weichsel Rotbier involves drying the malt over a fire fueled by high-quality cherry wood, as opposed to the traditional beech wood used in classic smoked beers. This method imparts a fruity, almost sweet smoke aroma to the malt, resulting in a copper-red color in the glass. The addition of the finest aroma hops enhances the multi-layered smoke flavor with berry notes. With an alcohol content of 4.6%, Aecht Schlenkerla Weichsel Rotbier offers a full-bodied and pleasantly quaffable drinking experience.

The name "Weichsel" refers to the Vistula River, known as "Weichsel" in German. The region along this river, particularly the delta, is renowned for its high-quality sour cherry trees. The term "Weichsel" is etymologically derived from the Indo-Germanic term "u̯eis," meaning "flowing" or "seeping," which is also the root of the English word "ooze." Historically, sour cherries were used for glue production, as the tree resin would seep from the bark, leading to the nickname "Weichsel" for the sour cherry in southern Germany and Austria.

Heller-Bräu Trum Bamberg, the brewery behind Aecht Schlenkerla, is renowned for its traditional smoked beers, known as Rauchbier. The brewery's commitment to preserving historical brewing methods and styles has contributed to the resurgence and appreciation of beers like Rotbier in the modern era.