After a 1 hour train ride from the Munich central station, I arrived in Salzburg. It was a beautiful ride running from the city to the rolling hills and countryside. I made the long walk up the hill toward a castle, church and brewery. I arrived at the Brewhouse Restaurant in all it's hunting lodge glory and took a seat for lunch. There I sat, dreamy-eyed and full of Joy. I arrived for lunch at the Steigl Brewery in Salzburg, Austria one fine October afternoon. I opened the beer menu and saw many amazing and delicious looking options. But one beer style really intrigued me, the butter beer! I ordered the stuffed dumplings (Variation of 6 stuffed dumplings on Sauerkraut), each one with a different type of meat or sausage.... heaven :)
While I don't see it on the current menu, it was called ButterBlume (see image below). It was brite, clear and similar to a crisp Pilsner with a slight diacetyl flavor. As per usual German / Austrian techniques, it was very subtle and controlled. In fact, I may not have even recognized it as such if I didn't know the style. Interesting and overall not too bad..
Here's an article about the butter beer style - I don't think it's the same thing as the one I had in Salzburg but I had no idea this was even a thing...
In terms of Diacetyl, the off flavor compound that tastes like movie theatre popcorn, here's some info and ways to avoid this off flavor in your beers : BeerSmith Article
If you ever get a chance to head over to Salzburg, be sure to walk up the hill to the brewery and checkout the old graveyard and church just past the brewery at the top of the hill. There's an amazing view of the town below and the Alps in the distance.
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