New Paltz Brewing Co. (Pfälzerbräu)
A Small Little Gem
Brewing up a Pretty Big
Storm
by Jeremy Moore
In effort to keep from long lines and the small taproom
space from filling up, I actually hate to write this article and tell people
about this hole-in-the-wall brewery; but the brewery deserves every bit of
attention on the New York Beer Trail Map for the most serious craft beer
connoisseur. After opening taproom doors just over two years ago, I have yet to
taste a beer from this German themed brewery I won’t like. The proof in the six
(6) hanging medals on their wall says it all.
Since getting established, I have watched this up and coming
brewery make a big impact that seems to catch the attention of other breweries
scrambling to out compete and brew up the next “big thing”, and you may ask
how? In an era of hoppy bitter beers, this brewery has yet to have more than
two hoppy beers on their menu. Nothing seems more than one Pale Ale style beer
at a time. The rest of the beer menu is filled with Lager style beers, like a
well-made handcrafted Oktoberfest Lager, or a delicious dark, malty true-to
style Bock beer. A friend of mine introduced me to them as they started as one
of the very few breweries in New York State that can make a pretty good example
of a true-to-style Hefeweizen, which originates as a German wheat style ale. It
is a rare style of beer that only a handful of breweries in the world can
artfully master. This style is of the most complicated beers to brew. And this
small gem of a brewery hits it on the head. The traditional Hefeweizen beer is
the opposite in bitterness as compared to an IPA. This beer style focuses less
on hoppy aromas, but more on the special delicate yeast that speaks out a
pronounced taste. The yeast esters bring out a banana and clove flavor,
something I catch many breweries typically fall short on.
The Pfälzerbräu Brewery (named after “Brewery of the Pfalz”
region in Germany) started as two brothers Jeffrey and Heiko Giesberg; they are
first born Americans from German parent immigrants and Holocaust survivors.
They wanted to bring the experience of what a fresh handcrafted German beer
tastes like without having to travel overseas. The Southern Catskill Region of
New York seemed the perfect location. Heiko went back directly to Germany to
expand learning formal commercial brewing techniques. This brewery self-focuses
and demonstrates their passion in every beer they make. I see this brewery
breaking into more and more attention in the underground beer scene.
This past Christmas Holiday season 2018, I finally had another
chance to visit the New Paltz Brewing Co. with my companion. The taproom was
filled with local and international tourists visiting. As for beer, not only
did they have a traditional style Hefeweizen, they had two more renditions of
that style. A classical Rauchweizen, which is a rare-to-find smoked tasting version
of the Hefeweizen. Smoked grains are incorporated to balance off a fruity
banana/clove tasting beer. Sounds odd? But it blends very well in taste. How
about trying a hint of pepper? The aromas are amazing in their Hint of Heat
Hefeweizen. A balance of habaneros and
jalapeños that at first, sounded to immediately want to turn me away, as I hate
most any slight spicy food. This beer is just that, a hint of heat. A very
drinkable beer that is not that spicy at all. It gives way to a true value of
beer, which gives you a drinking experience that incorporates a slight pepper
heat with the typical Hefeweizen banana and clove. After waiting almost an
hour, I could see why so many customers were in line for cans of this specialty
beer to bring home for their holiday dinners.
Website: www.newpaltzbrewing.com
New Paltz Brewing Co. (Pfälzerbräu)
Taproom & Production Facility:
7174 Route 209
Wawarsing, NY 12489
Tel: 845-419-3040
Written by Jeremy Moore; Jan 2019. Jeremy is an avid researcher, writer and blogger of international craft beer. For over 30 years, Jeremy has toured and written on artistic and historical handcrafts including beer making, wine, spirit and other arts. In addition to craft beer, Jeremy enjoys photography, graphic design, music and fine art activities.
