It’s time for another great release from Saint Arnold Brewing Company: Divine Reserve 16. Divine Reserve 16 (DR 16) is not the typical German-style beer from Saint Arnold; this one is unique, and the first Adambier the brewery has created.

Divine Reserve can be found at your local store, while supplies last. Photo courtesy of Saint Arnold Brewing Company.

If you’re like me, you might be wondering: “What is an Adambier?”

According to the Brewers Association, Adambier is a pre-Reinheitsgebot style that has been making a slow comeback in the U.S. and internationally. It was a historically smoky ale, thriving in and around the Dortmund, Germany area. Adambier was a strong (about 10% abv), dark, sour beer, which was top-fermented and then aged in wood for long periods; it was always aged for at least a year, and often for longer.

DR 16 is a unique release for Saint Arnold as it’s the first time they’ve used smoked, or “rauch,” malt in one of their beers.

The line at Spec's Smith Street was long for the release on Monday, February 29th.

The pre-opening line at Spec’s Smith Street for the DR 16 release on Monday, February 29th.

Rauchmalt is best described as German wood-smoked malt that contributes a smoky flavor to beers. The brewing operations manager from Saint Arnold, Stephen Rawlings, wanted to create a smoked beer, as German-style beers are in his brewing wheelhouse.

Saint Arnold describes the beer as follows:

DR16 is a full bodied beer with a prominent, but not overpowering, smoked wood aroma (almost like a campfire), which comes from the use of Rauchmalt. It’s the first time we’ve used smoked malt in a beer. There is a subtle Noble hop aroma and a slight caramel character that becomes more prominent as the beer warms up. The smokiness dominates through the crisp, KÃ¶lsch yeast inspired, finish. DR16 has a moderately-high bitterness that is balanced nicely by its residual malty sweetness, and there is no lack of alcohol warmth as you easily finish a pint. DR16 comes in right at 10% ABV.

Reserve No. 16:	Adambier
Date Brewed:	December 9, 2015
Date Bottled:	February 9, 2016
Original Gravity:	1.100
Final Gravity:	1.024
Alcohol:	10.0% ABV
IBU:	44
Malts:	Munich, Rauchmalt, Honey Malt, Carafa, Melanoidin
Hops:	Bravo, Hersbrucker
Yeast:	KÃ¶lsch

Cheers from the staff at Spec's Smith Street and Saint Arnold Brewery.

Cheers from the staff at Spec’s Smith Street and Saint Arnold Brewery.

Here are some locations around Houston that you will find the beer on draft:

Monday, February 29
J. Henry’s Draught House & Kitchen, Clear Lake
Union Tavern, Clear Lake
The Ginger Man at 6:00 PM
Hop Scholar at 6:30 PM
Tuesday, March 1
Front Porch Pub (plus Trivia Night)
Baker St. Pub & Grill, Cinco Ranch at 5:30 PM(also featuring DR15)
Mo’s Irish Pub at 6:00 PM
Friday, March 4
Valhalla
Saturday, March 5
Dak & Bop at 7:00 PM

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breweries

Divine Reserve 16 Release