What kind of beer is this?

[Cassius]

In my youth, I came across a beer at a German restaurant that was spectacular. It was from Germany - I think - and you could almost chew it. Pretty sure it was illegal at the time. It was cloudy and was almost like drinking bread. I want to say it was medium dark, but it was a long time ago. Like, pre WWW time. I think it was served closer to room temp.

My questions are
1. What kind of beer was it?
2. Is it still illegal in the US?

Thanks!

 

[lazarwolf]

Wow, you just described a lot of German beers. Maybe a maibock? Or a dopplebock

 

[FirstAidBrewing]

That could be a lot of things unfortunately but based on "dark and chewy" I'll take a shot in the dark and guess and say a dunkelweiss. But many beers could match that description.

Any more details you can remember? What part of Germany did it come from?

 

[Cassius]

I don't think it was really dark. Medium Amber at most. It was incredibly smooth, not bitter at all. I remember you could almost chew it. Definitely unfiltered. It was like somebody poured happiness in a glass. I'm pretty sure it was bootlegged into the USA either because of alcohol content or pasteurization laws.

I never knew what region it was from, and after 20 years, beer has done its job on my brain.

 

[lazarwolf]

I have to wonder if this was a real Marzen. But it sounds like a Mai bock

Look here, http://www.brewingwithbriess.com/Recipes/beer/display/gregorians-fifth-maibock

 

[ong]

Or maybe a bock of some kind. The cloudiness does suggest wheat, though, I guess.

 

[BarkingSpider]

Hmm... why would it be illegal? Maybe an Eisbock? Maybe in the states they're technically considered distilled?