Schmatz prioritizes beer quality above all else. Respecting the simple ingredients and traditional brewing methods cherished by German beer culture, we have pursued a taste that is recognized as delicious by both Germans and Japanese. With the desire to deliver the highest quality to our customers, Schmatz has continued brewing in Germany, the home of beer. This time, we will introduce the characteristics and appeal of three types of Schmatz's representative original German craft beers!
1. Weizen
White beer with a gorgeous aroma and rich umami that fills your mouth
First up is "Weizen," which can be called Schmatz's representative German craft beer. Weizen, also known as "white beer," uses 50% or more wheat. In Bavaria, Germany, Weizen is the mainstream. In fact, yeast is the lifeblood of Weizen, and Schmatz's Weizen is a product that Japanese beer makers can never imitate, as it is made by continuously adding fresh yeast from a 150-year-old yeast bank.
There are two types of Weizen: "Kristallweizen," which has filtered yeast, and "Hefeweizen," which has unfiltered yeast. Schmatz's Weizen is the latter. When poured into a glass, it has a beautiful golden color, and the sweet banana-like aroma characteristic of Weizen is very elegant. You can feel a very slight acidity that entices the next sip, and it's worth noting that this acidity comes from the original fresh yeast without the use of auxiliary ingredients.
With a rich aroma, low bitterness, and a pleasant creamy foam texture, it's easy to drink. It's also easy to pair with dishes that you might not normally think go well with beer, making it a beer that everyone will love. Schmatz, respecting the history and technology of German beer, has created a Weizen that we can confidently recommend. We hope you'll first enjoy Schmatz's proud Weizen, which has the most fans!
2. Lager
Golden lager with richness, malt umami, and a robust body
Next up is "Lager," which originated in Southern Germany. Lager beer, fermented at low temperatures, is popular for its refreshing crispness and clean taste, making it a familiar and popular beer in Japan. In Germany, there are various types of popular lagers such as "Münchner Helles," "Dunkel," and "Schwarz." Schmatz's Lager is a "Märzen" style, a type of lager beer also enjoyed at Oktoberfest.
While regular lagers are said to mature for two to three weeks, Schmatz's lager beer is matured for an even longer period. In addition, Schmatz's "decoction method" for preparing the malt also creates a mellow richness. These factors result in a lager that is smooth and easy to drink without being harsh, yet also has a deeper, mellower malt sweetness.
Compared to Weizen, lager beer has a crisp golden color, and you can taste the savory toasted aroma of roasted caramel malt and the clean bitterness of hops. It pairs perfectly with smoked sausage, so a set of lager and smoked sausage is a classic at Oktoberfest.
3. IPA - India Pale Ale
Refreshing aroma, subtle sweetness, perfectly balanced IPA you can drink endlessly
When it comes to craft beer, "IPA (India Pale Ale)" is well-known, isn't it? It's characterized by a gorgeous aroma, bitterness, and a punchy taste where hops stand out more than malt. IPAs tend to have a particularly distinctive impression among craft beers, but the India Pale Ale brewed by Schmatz aimed to be an IPA that is distinctly "German" while still valuing the individuality of an IPA.
With an enticing amber color, this IPA, which is a magnificent fusion of fruity citrus-like aroma and caramel-like malt umami, has established a unique character that is second to none among other IPAs. Furthermore, Schmatz's IPA, with a balanced hop profile to pair with various dishes and a higher malt content, has added sweetness from the malt, resulting in a new, easy-to-drink IPA that is rich in flavor yet not overly bitter.
The IPA created with the experience and technology of a historic German brewery is not only delicious for IPA lovers but also sure to be enjoyed by those who previously thought they disliked IPAs. We hope you'll discover the appeal of IPA through Schmatz.
3. Drink "Schmatz" German Craft Beer
"Schmatz" started in 2013 with the desire for people to enjoy authentic German craft beer along with authentic German sausages. Now, our beer lineup has expanded to include limited-edition collaborative brews with Japanese breweries.
The three classic original German craft beers introduced this time are always available at Schmatz restaurants and also sold on our online store. You can also purchase collaborative products other than the three classic beers. We invite you to compare the flavors of our Schmatz beers, which are committed to authentic taste, and enjoy incorporating them into your daily life by pairing them with various dishes!
