Brasserie Fischer
Schiltigheim, France
Imported by: Total Beverage Solutions
Mt. Pleasant, SC
Available: nationally
Fischer Brewery was founded in 1821 by John Fischer at Strasbourg, and moved to Schiltigheim in 1854. In 1996, the brewery was bought by Heineken. Fischer Amber is the brand’s flagship beer.
ABV: 6
ABW: 4.8
Bitterness: 18
Original gravity: 1055
Alsace has been famous for beers for at least 10 centuries. Alas, most breweries have closed or are now part or global giants like Heineken who run Fisher. Fortunately, this is not one more light lager. Instead, it has a lovely tan head of small bubbles and is bright golden with amber notes and a fresh balanced malt hop nose. It is full flavored yet one sided with a sweet maltiness fighting an acidic hop bitterness which lingers in the aftertaste. It makes me wonder if adjuncts like corn syrup are used.
Labeled an “ale” yet flush with smooth lager character. Traditional mild caramel background. Bright new copper colored hue. Subtle hop bite, but nothing engaging to speak of. Fresh and thirst quenching. Old school hing to light lager profile with a hint of caramel. Eloquent, yet not profound. Need I say more?
Founder of Merchant du Vin and the Pike Brewing Co., Charles Finkel is a pioneer in the marketing of craft beers in America.
Author of the New Complete Joy of Homebrewing, founder of the Great American Beer Festival and a Beer Examiner at www.examiner.com, Papazian is a leading voice in beer and brewing.
