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Locher
 scrapes in
 decent
 good
 excellent
 sublime
Locher, Castegna (Switzerland) 
This beer is brewed with chestnuts, though I do not know the specific process involved. It pours quite a deep gold, with a thin to moderate white head. On the nose it is quite malty and rich, with a distinct herbal aroma and general nuttiness. There's a really spicy, spiced orange note too. On the palate it is really quite full bodied and creamy, with a real edge of sweetness, but a sweetness that is nicely tempered by a creamed chestnut flavour, and lots of orange acidity. The spiciness continues to perk up the finish, in a fairly complex and delicious beer that tails off a little in the mouth, but is well worth trying. 4.8% ABV, 33cl, �1.29, Beersofeurope, Onlyfinebeer.  |  |
Locher, Hanfblüte (Switzerland)
Brewed with hemp flowers, this must be classed as a novelty, yet hemp was a traditional brewing alternative to hops, and this is the revival of an old recipe. In fact it is a very successful beer, that pours a particularly hazy, particle-strewn light gold, with a moderately persistent white head. On the nose it is herbal and spicy, with a ginger beer note and a clean, lemony fruitiness. On the palate that ground ginger character persists (is this the flavour of hemp flowers?) with quite full body, and a racy, bitter hop crispness. This is quite long and complex, with more spice and peppery qualities in the finish. Interesting and good. 5.2% ABV, 33cl, �1.39, Onlyfinebeer. |  |
Locher, Holzfass (Switzerland)
Packaged in a nice swing-top little bottle, this is a new beer (autumn 2006) from Brauerei Locher, brewed with Pilsner, Viennese and caramel malts, and aged for fourth months in oak barrels. It pours a cloudy, deep gold with a very thick and persistent white head. It has a really inviting nose, with plenty of herbal and medicinal notes suggesting sage and clove, but also with a warm, caramel and honeyed character. On teh palate it is a big, full-bodied and quite sumptuous beer, with prsitine herbal and apple flavours, and a fine streak of vegetal, hoppy bitterness playing against those toffeed and biscuity notes. Terrific stuff this. Contact the importer, Suisse Connection, on +44 (0)20 8348 5584 for more information. 5.2% ABV, 33cl, No known UK stockists. |  |
Locher, Naturperle (Switzerland)
From the highest crop-growing area in Europe in the Engadin mountains, the barley for this beer is organically grown. It pours a lovely, bright gold with a decent white head. This beer has a fine nose: there is juicy malt and a hint of coffee and toast, with a touch of marmalade, yet a crisp core of lemony fruit and fresh hops. On the palate it is medium bodied and flooded with bitter hop and grapefruity flavours, and has a nice pithy lemon and peanut husk dryness into the finish. Mouth-watering and refreshing. 5.0% ABV, 33cl, �1.35. |  |
Locher, Swiss Mountain Appenzeller (Switzerland)
This beer, brewed with spring water and using a special yeast culture, pours a medium gold colour with a thinnish white head. The nose is massively herbal: like falling into a patch of nettles, with an underlying malt note and some citrussy fruit. On the palate it is a fairly straightforward Pilsner style, with a nice dry hoppiness, medium body, and a clean, refreshing finish. 4.8% ABV, 33cl, �1.26, Beersofeurope, Utobeer. |  |
Locher, Vollmond (Switzerland)
This beer is brewed only during the period of the full-moon. Whether this is in pursuit of some biodynamic principles Ia system of organic belief in which phases of the moon are all imprtant) or is simply a personal quirk of the brewmaster, I do not know. It has a sweet caramel nose, with a lovely hint of dark, Seville orange and some nutty notes. On the palate it has a rich, full texture, with an earthy, dry character, a good level of grassy hops and a nicely balanced finish. 5.2% ABV, 33cl, �1.39. |  |
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