NEW ULM, Minn- (December 2, 2009). The August Schell Brewing Co. announced today that Hopfenmalz has been chosen as the commemorative beer for its 150th Anniversary. Hopfenmalz was part of the Anniversary Draft Series, which asked people to vote online for their favorite beer from the limited release, eight-brew Draft Series. The winner was then chosen as the commemorative beer for the sesquicentennial year.

“Part of the inspiration for the Anniversary Draft Series came when an old recipe book dating back to Prohibition was discovered tucked away in the brewery,” said Ted Marti, president of the August Schell Brewing Co. “We used several of these beers for inspiration, putting our own twist on several old styles of beer. Since we were stepping out of the box with these brews, it was also the perfect time to let our brewmasters get creative and experiment with some recipes. That is how Hopfenmalz was
created.”

Hopfenmalz is a combination of Schell¹s favorite beer styles. It incorporates the elegant drinkability of a Pilsner, the bready maltiness of a Vienna Lager, and the hopping of a Pale Ale. The malt backbone was created using a large amount of Vienna coupled with judicious amounts of Caramunich and Caravienne. In the kettle, it was aggressively hopped with Cascade from the Pacific Northwest and German Tettnang, and then dry hopped to give it a bright, citrusy aroma. Hopfenmalz was fermented at a higher temperature with a lager yeast to add some flavor complexities. Finally, it was aged for 4 weeks to provide the crispness that is only found in a lager.

Hopfenmalz will be released exclusively to New Ulm, Minnesota on January 2, 2010. On February 15, 2010, the birth date of August Schell, the beer will be made available statewide and to bordering states.

About Schell’s Brewery:
Schell’s brewery is the second oldest family owned brewery in the United States and the oldest brewery in Minnesota. Established in 1860, 2010 marks the sesquicentennial year for the August Schell Brewing Co. Schells is a German Style brewery that specializes in craft beers. In addition to the line of specialty beers, the August Schell Brewing Co also produces Grain Belt Premium and Premium Light.