This has been a beer I’ve been wanting to write about for a while. For some reason there has always been something special about this one in my mind. The excitement and mystery may be due to the facts that until very recently it’s been draft only, it’s got a cool name (inspired by German Schankbier, I assume), and Elk Valley makes it. Elk Valley tends to make beers that I want to put inside my face.
Over the last year, Elk Valley has been playing with this beer and producing fruited and hopped variants for various events. The one that sticks out most is the cherry. That opaque, pinkish-red beer was damn delicious and I want to drink it every day.
Anywho, let’s see what the label has to say about this brew.
Schank! is a classic Berliner Style Weisse Ale. Brewed in classic tradition. This sour wheat beer is allowed to sour naturally with the wild yeast and lactobacillus that live on the grain. This tart ale is a refreshing change to the summer months. in Berli this beer was brewed to be full of flavor without being high in alcohol. Swirl up the sediment in the bottom or pour slowly and leave the sediment behind. Sit back and relax and enjoy this classic. Cheers!
I believe I’ll swirl and pour that sediment, let’s do it.
Disclaimer: This product was provided at no cost to Barrels and Mash with no strings attached.
Company: Elk Valley Brewing Co.
Location: Oklahoma City, OK
ABV: 3%
Style/Description: Berliner Style Weisse Ale
Appearance: Cloudy straw with a light, fluffy white head that hangs around for a bit.
Nose: Lemon tartness, wheat vibes, and tart funk jump out first. There is a subtle, refreshing sweetness to the aroma too in addition to some nice grassy things.
Taste: The earthy tartness is spot on but doesn’t overwhelm the grain or citrus notes. The balance is really nice and there is a decent amount of complexity between the grass, wheat, yeasty notes and citrus. The carb and texture are on point.
Finish: The sourness is most pronounced here and leads to just a bit of pucker which is great. After everything fades a lemon tartness is left behind making me want to dive back into the glass and hit that next sip.
Overall: This is just flat out a delicious, refreshing beer. It’s another one perfect for the summer heat and with its low abv and addictive complexity it’s one that I could drink all day. This is the first time Schank! has been canned, and Elk Valley is currently having discussions regarding distribution, so let’s all hope that this stuff is available in stores soon so we can all keep some around for lake trips and summer days in the back yard.
Rating: 4/5
