No School Like the Old School

     My friend Jana at work saw me looking at brewing stuff on line last year, and it got us talking about some great beers we'd tried recently.  She told me about this black lager (Kostritzer Schwartbier) from a German Brewery, Kostritzer, that her husband brings home from Germany when he travels over there, and a few days later she brought me a bottle!  I was touched that she would share it with me, even more so after I tried it.  It's a delicious, smooth black lager with a medium tan head.  The hops are light and the predominant flavor is that of the toasted malts.  As with many deutsche beers, it's a clean, no nonsense example of the type of beer it says it is. 
     Now, I don't speak (or read) German, but I'm pretty sure the label says the brewery (brauerei) was established (seit) in 1543 (1543).  That means they've been making beer for almost 4000 years.  I don't do math in German either. 
     A little over a month ago I got a message from Jana saying her husband had come back from Germany, this time with a CASE of Kostritzer for me!  Once again blown away by Jana's thoughtfulness, I've had enough to share with friends and family who all agree that this old school brewery knows what they're doing.  Their 4 millennia of practice has certainly payed off.  Until next time, Cheers!