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Firebrick

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Named for the bricks that line the old boilers at Schell's, Firebrick pours amber-red with brilliant clarity. Malt leads, with sweet notes of raisins and caramel and just a hint of hop bitterness, built with Helios, Sterling and Hallertauer Mittelfrüh hops. Brewed since 1998, first as a seasonal before it went year-round, it took Gold in Vienna-Style Lager at the 2014 World Beer Cup and again at the 2020 European Beer Star.

ABV
4.8%
Bitterness
Lightly bitter24 IBU
Malt-forward bitterness
SRM
amber11
PaceSession

AWARDS

Gold · 2014
World Beer Cup
Vienna-Style Lager
Gold · 2020
European Beer Star
Vienna-Style Lager
Gold · 2020
U.S. Open Beer Championship
Vienna-Style Lager
★Gold — World Beer Cup (Vienna-Style Lager)
★Gold — European Beer Star (Vienna-Style Lager)
★Gold — U.S. Open Beer Championship (Vienna-Style Lager)
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
Balance
malt-forwardhop-forward
What makes this beer itself
maltycaramelnoble hop
malty
caramel
noble hop
clean
dark fruit
toasty
Aroma
The nose leads with soft, toasted malt character accented by caramel sweetness and dried dark fruit notes—primarily raisin.
also:bready
not found:hoppy,roasted,fruity,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Firebrick

◎ Appearance

Firebrick presents a luminous amber-red body with exceptional clarity, allowing light to pass through without haze or suspension. The head forms with moderate density and exhibits strong adhesion to the glass, leaving distinct rings of foam as the beer is consumed. Carbonation appears measured and well-integrated, supporting a fine bead that persists throughout the tasting.

amber-red, brilliantpersistent lacingwell-carbonated

◌ Aroma

The nose leads with soft, toasted malt character accented by caramel sweetness and dried dark fruit notes—primarily raisin. Noble hops contribute a subtle herbal and spice dimension without overshadowing the malt foundation. The overall aromatics are balanced and approachable, with no sharp or aggressive qualities.

malt-forwardcaramel and raisinnoble hop spice

◐ Taste

The palate opens with a clean, malty sweetness that carries notes of caramel and toasted grain through the mid-palate. A restrained hop bitterness emerges gradually, providing counterpoint without dominating; Helios, Sterling, and Hallertauer Mittelfrüh create an herbaceous framework rather than assertive bite. The texture is smooth and full-bodied for its alcohol weight, finishing with lingering malt and a gentle briskness.

malty sweetnesssmooth mouthfeelrestrained bitternesstoasted grain

◑ Finish

The finish is moderately long, fading from caramel malt into a dry, slightly crisp aftertaste. A whisper of hop dryness lingers without becoming harsh, leaving the palate clean and ready for the next sip.

dry finishcrisp aftertaste
82
hopIQ score
Aroma
80
Taste
83
Appearance
85
Finish
80
Serve at 7–9°C

Serve at 7–9°C for the best flavour balance and aroma expression.

Stein

The sturdy German stein maintains temperature and keeps carbonation intact. Built for long, convivial drinking.

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Food Pairing

What to eat with Firebrick

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About Vienna Lager

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Vienna Lager?

Vienna Lager is a distinctive beer style with its own characteristic flavour, aroma and colour. Discover what makes it unique and find similar beers on hopIQ.

Finding a similar Vienna Lager

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same malty, sweet, caramel character as Firebrick will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

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