He’Brew Rejewvenator

By Stew Miller (@StewWriter) on January 7th, 2011

He’Brew Rejewvenator Half Dopplebock Half Belgian Style Dubbel

Shmalz Brewing Company – Saratoga, Springs, NY

Information: Site – Ya know what, click HERE and read it for yourself. It’s pretty cool, actually!

7.8% ApV

Dopplebock - Doppelbock or double bock is a stronger version of traditional bock that was first brewed in Munich by the Paulaner monks, an order founded by St. Francis of Paula Historically, doppelbock was lower in alcohol and sweeter, thus serving as “liquid bread” for the monks during times of fasting, when solid food was not permitted.

Dubbel – The dubbel (also double) is a Belgian Trappist Beer naming convention. The origin of the dubbel was a beer brewed in the Trappist Abbey of Westmalle in 1856. The abbey had, since 10 December 1836, brewed a witbier that was quite sweet and light in alcohol for consumption by the paters.

So, on a whim and a recommendation from a beer book I’m currently engrossed in, I snatched up a bottle of this ‘Certified Kosher’ He’Brew beer called Rejewvenator (pun intended). I red the blurb the author wrote and he really seemed to dig it, so, it’s once again time to hope that I wasn’t lead down a path of disappointment.

The pour offers up a really lovely head that absolutely likes to hang out for a few minutes and has a really rocky, cumulus crown. It eventually coalesces into a white halo and a little floating foam slick. The color is a nice maroon red and smells instantly of dates and dark cherries, which stands to reason since the label informs you that it is, indeed, brewed with natural date concentrate. It has slightly yeasty and grassy notes to the nose that seem to greatly compliment the fruity highlights.

The flavors are very lively with baked bread and and pure dates up front. The second act moves nicely into a fruity/peppery blend very similar to a Merlot, and the finale is a solid hit with earthy hops and a musty, rooty throatiness that works very well with the rest of the beer. There is a wet mouthfeel, reminiscent of grapes, that remains that makes you taste a slightly white-wine cheek. This is an absolutely amazingly drinkable beer the likes of which would be difficult to track down again. Pair with matzo… what else?

Rating: * * * *
A kosher brew that really hits the spot.