Return from the dead
The Allentown & Bethlehem Brew Works just announced the return of an old local favorite, Neuweiler Ale. The beer, once brewed in Allentown, was most recently made by Ortlieb’s in Philly before it shut down in the 1980s.
This new version was developed by the Brew Works’ Beau Baden, in conjunction with Joe Ortlieb. Together, according to the press release, they went through “a recipe development process to capture the historic qualities of the hometown favorite with slight updates for modern brewing equipment. ”
I have vague memories of Neuweiler’s as one of those value brands that wasn’t particularly full-flavored but was at least different from the usual dreck. I think the most common variety was a cream ale, which James D. Robinson’s “Connoisseur’s Guide to Beer” (1982) described as having “a sweet vegeta-metallic aroma, sweet malt taste with undertones of decayed vegetable material.” Hmmm…
According to the press release, Neuweiler’s Sons was the first brewery in America to introduce a special process of dry hopping, providing extra aroma and bouquet. The new beer is described as an American-style amber ale, dry-hopped with Cascades hops, with a copper color, a toasted malt flavor followed by a crisp pleasant bitterness and piney hop aroma. “It is similar to beers like the iconic New Belgium’s Fat Tire or Pyramid’s Copper Peak. ”
Look for it to be released officially on Wednesday (11/19) at a press conference at the Brew Works’ Allentown location (free samples!). Bottles should be on local shelves soon.
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