August Schell Firebrick
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Tasting Notes
Firebrick leads with a mild toasted malt aroma, hints of bread crust, and a faint caramel sweetness. On the palate it's medium-bodied with flavors of lightly roasted grain, a touch of toffee, and a clean, dry finish that doesn't linger too long. Hop presence is restrained — just enough earthy bitterness to keep the sweetness in check. It's a well-balanced, honest example of the style.
About the Brewery
August Schell is based in New Ulm, Minnesota, and has been brewing since 1860, making it one of the oldest family-owned breweries in the United States. The brewery survived Prohibition by producing soft drinks and has remained in the Schell family for over six generations. They're known for their commitment to German-style lagers at a time when most American regional brewers abandoned them, and their grounds include historic gardens and a deer park.
Food Pairings
Firebrick's toasted malt character works naturally alongside a bratwurst or grilled pork sausage, where the beer's caramel notes mirror the meat's browning. Soft pretzels with mustard are a classic match because the malt sweetness contrasts the sharpness of the mustard. Roasted chicken pairs well since the beer's body can stand up to savory drippings without overpowering lighter meat. A mild aged cheddar or Gouda also fits, as the nutty, slightly sweet cheese echoes the toffee undertones in the malt profile.
Style Guide
Vienna lager originated in Austria in the mid-19th century, developed by brewer Anton Dreher as one of the first amber lagers using new kilning techniques that produced malt with a reddish-copper hue. The style is defined by toasted malt flavor, a medium body, and a clean fermentation character with only modest hop bitterness — typically landing in the 4.5–5.5% ABV range. It sits between the lighter, crisper Munich Helles and the darker, more roasted Märzen, sharing malt-forward qualities with both but distinct in its drier, more restrained finish.