Franconian Beer Message Board

Zoiglbier
Posted by barry on 2014-11-22 02:12:31
I did say that Andi's Zoigl was a good beer but...  I have discussed this with both Andi and Gernot Wildung, both of whom I believe are quite sincere in their love for Zoigl and all that goes with it.  However, while both seem to realise that Zoigl is not a beer style but a tradition that involves the use of Kommunbrauerei, a certain style of Stube, accompanying food, etc., etc., both continue to use the title for their beers.  I'm not sure that it does them any good, as true beer lovers will just disregard the name (but may still like the beer) and less discerning drinkers won't care.  

I don't understand it when you talk about 'common appearance, aroma and flavor characteristics of true Zoiglbier'.  Even within the Eschawo/Neuhaus community there are significant differences between the products of the different Stub'n owners. For example, just compare any Neuhaus Zoigl with any Eschawo Zoigl: different constituents leading to different tastes, appearances, aromas etc.  Even within Eschawo, you cannot say that the Zoigls are the same - there are big differences between Rudi Loistl's Zoigl and Robert Sperber's - even though they are actually both brewed by the same person (usually!).


Sadly, US practice, where marketing is all, has come to permeate the naming of beers (I see this also in the UK where perfectly standard bitters and milds are given outlandish names, which only confuse their buyers).

As to commercial Oberpfalz breweries calling their beer 'Zoigl', this is opportunism at its worst.  The 'Echte Zoigl' community have fought for years to preserve and protect their traditions, surely it is not beyond hope that the discerning drinkers of this forum should give them their support? 
 
Followups:
                 Zoiglbier by Mark Andersen on  2014-11-22 04:54:56