I have been buying this Austrian beer now for the past 3 years in late December. For me, it is only sold in the LCBO. Cost: $5.30 CAD and seems like it is only available in select stores.
UPDATE: LCBO Cost: $5.25. Hey… 5¢ off works for me 😉
UPDATE2: LCBO Cost is back to $5.30 … and quantities are becoming limited in my area 🙁
UPDATE3: LCBO Cost 2019 – $5.55 (initial price $4.20 per bottle)
UPDATE4: Not available at the LCBO for 2020 due to COVID-19 🙁
https://www.schloss-eggenberg.at/de/unsere-biere/samichlaus-classic (german)
Only once a year, on 6 December, brewed in a complex process, this strong beer is a rarity. It can age for many years in the bottle and gain in complexity.
This beer is concocted @ Brauerei Schloss Eggenberg in Vorchdorf, Austria. It claims to be “The World’s Most Extraordinary Beverage” and a strong beer at 14%. I have had both of these batches 2015/2018 and both look & taste very different.
2015 – Samichlaus Classic
Dark amber colour with a fine head; aromas of malt, toasted grain, molasses, plum and dried fruit, with notes of caramel, chocolate and nut; sweet, full bodied, palate is smooth and warming, flavours of fruit cake, and molasses, notes of brown sugar, and prune; bittersweet finish.
2018 – Samichlaus Classic
Reddish-brown in colour, strong hints of prune, minimal head, and flanked by chocolate notes; sweet finish.
Final Notes…
As a result, I prefer the 2018 batch over the 2015 batch. It would be nice if they made a larger bottle of this (500 ml). The 2018 reminds me a bit of a Port Wine and overall it is just plain delicious!