Each year Shmaltz Brewing releases an anniversary beer. The recipe is bigger and more complex than the last. The 12th Anniversary was 12 malts, 12 hops, 12% ABV. 13 – 13 malts/13 hops, 13% ABV. This year marks 14 years of brewing at Schmaltz. So in good fashion this year packs a whopping 14 hops, 14 malts, 14% ABV.
Founder Jeremy Cowan is quite the writer. His labels if you take the time to read them are legendary. I asked him about how he does it one time, he just said it takes time. I think he topped himself with this one:
At age 14, is Shmaltz Brewing still the throes of adolescence? After publishing Craft Beer Bar Mitzvah, a new small business saga, I’ll leave it up to you, Dear Reader. As with many 14 year olds, this years Jewbelation is all about Hands, Hearts and Farts. 14 is the numerical value of the Hebrew word for “hand.” The human hand contains 14 digital bones and 14 joints. 14 items to fill the Passover seder plate, narrating the Exodus of the Hebrews – “and with a might hand did the Revolution bring us out of Egypt.” Jacob labored 14 years to earn marriage to Leah and Rachel. Over a lifetime, the average American spends 14 days kissing. Valentine’s day, Feb. 14, dates to a pagan festival for the she-wolf who suckled mythical founders of Rome, Romulus, and Remus. 14 lines structure a sonnet. Romeo and Juliet unfolds 14 days before Juliet’s 14th birthday. Carbon 14 dating proves the age of organic materials. Woody Allen, now married to his once not-daughter and not a spokesman for American Apparel, received 14 Oscar nominations for best screenplay and directed 14 other actors in nominated performances. 14 Jews serve in the senate. The current Dalai Lama is the 14th leader of the Tibetan people. A hummingbird’s heart flutters about 1400 beats per minute. Dr. Oz reported on Oprah that humans fart on average of 14 times a day. At age 41 and in our 14th year of brewing, the numerical sychronicity will happen only once in my lifetime. Here’s to being here now… L’Chaim!
Beer Rundown:
Style: Barleywine
Hops: Amarillo, Apollo, Cascade, Centennial, Crystal, Fuggle, German Spalt, Northern Brewer, Simcoe, Styrian Bobeck, Summit, Tettnang, Vanguard, Warrior
Malts: Specialty 2-Row, Vienna, Munich, Wheat, Chocolate, Crystal Rye, Dark Crystal, Rye Ale, CaraMunich 40, Carpilsner, Kiln Amber, Flaked Spelt, Flaked Oats, Flaked Quinoa
Taste Expectations: Complex! Lots of hops, malts and booze to sort out.
Availability: 22oz bombers. Draft. Est Retail $5
14% ABV
Looking for this? In stock Hop City. Have it? Leave a comment. I’ll add you to it.
