bierschnaps is a spirit distilled from finished beer, whose hop content makes the schnaps easily distinguishable from whisky even though the other ingredients—malted barley, yeast, water—might be the same. It is traditionally a specialty of small Bavarian breweries (which often have their own stills), and many versions are only available at each brewery’s own taproom or gift shop. These spirits are typically 40–50 percent ABV, and classical versions are unflavored, though they are sometimes oak aged. By the late 1990s, American craft brewers had begun to offer their own variations. American bierschnaps, now fairly common, are sometimes flavored with beer wort, caramel, or other flavors. Iterations can be found worldwide from Japan to Brazil. While bierschnaps are occasionally used in cocktails, they are largely considered novelty spirits outside Bavaria.
See also abv; beer; and Germany, Switzerland, and Austria.
By: Garrett Oliver