New Wolverine Beer Releases Tonight

The eagerly anticipated (by me, anyway) release of Wolverine State Brewing's District 16 Vienna Amber Lager comes at 11:30 tonight, just in time for toasting. Wolverine's E.T. Crowe AKA Liz AKA Beer Wench has some notes on the beer's name and style:

"Just what IS the 16th District of Vienna" you ask, intrepid follower?  Brewer states it thus:  It's the "Ottakring," home to Ottakringer Brauerei, the last large remaining brewery in Vienna whose most famous brew is the Ottakringer Helles, a beer with an alcohol content of 5.2% and a wort of 11.8° Plato.  The forward thinking Austrians put this beer in cans...

The Wolverine State Brewing Co's "District 16 Vienna Lager" will be a strict adherence to the style guide, which states:

Aroma: Moderately rich German malt aroma (of Vienna and/or Munich malt). A light toasted malt aroma may be present. Similar, though less intense than Oktoberfest. Clean lager character, with no fruity esters or diacetyl. Noble hop aroma may be low to none. Caramel aroma is inappropriate.
Appearance: Light reddish amber to copper color. Bright clarity. Large, off-white, persistent head.
Flavor: Soft, elegant malt complexity is in the forefront, with a firm enough hop bitterness to provide a balanced finish. Some toasted character from the use of Vienna malt. No roasted or caramel flavor. Fairly dry finish, with both malt and hop bitterness present in the aftertaste. Noble hop flavor may be low to none.
Mouthfeel: Medium-light to medium body, with a gentle creaminess. Moderate carbonation. Smooth. Moderately crisp finish. May have a bit of alcohol warming.
Overall Impression: Characterized by soft, elegant maltiness that dries out in the finish to avoid becoming sweet.

Wench's Brewer is not, per se a "strict adherence to the style guide" sorta craft brewer but he's set himself a challenge with this one and so far... so GREAT!  Rex and Mary Halfpenny of the Michigan Beer Guide really liked their first taste from the fermeneter yesterday...

I'm not really big on New Year's resolutions, but I think I can resolve to grab a growler or two of this in 2011.