Wilhelm
Schilling Beer Company in Littleton, New Hampshire, United States 🇺🇸
Collab with: Goldfinger Brewing CompanyTraditional Beer Series
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Score
7.07
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The first release from this series is called “Wilhelm” and is appropriately brewed in collaboration with our good friend Tom at @goldfingerbeer in Downers Grove, Illinois—an impeccable lager-focused brewery that also shares deep continental European lineage. A “Helles Alt,” the beer draws inspiration from Vogelsberger Landsbrauereien GmbH’s historic “Urhahn’—an amber-ish colored ale that defies easy categorization, is distinctly drinkable, and is well-suited to pair with the hearty fare of the season.
Wilhelm pours a light copper hue crowned with a tight-knit foam cap, leaving behind intricate lacing on the glass. Aromas of lightly toasted wheat bread, floral hops, and a soft, estery yeast character invite the first sip. Malt-forward yet dry, Wilhelm opens with notes of biscuit and freshly baked bread. Weyermann Vienna malt imparts subtle tones of hazelnut and honey, while German Perle and Hersbrucker hops lend an earthy, herbal balance that carries through to a clean, refined finish.
Wilhelm has deeply personal roots for Schilling beyond being the first beer in the R.J. Schilling Series: The predecessor of Urhahn (the inspiration for Wilhelm) was likely brewed by the Cozzens family’s third-great-grandfather, Heinrich Alfred Wilhelm Fink (1816–1865), who served as braumeister at the Vogelsberger Landsbrauereien GmbH’s original brewery (Auerhahn) in Lauterbach, Germany, in the 19th century.
A beer rooted in history and family, and brewed in friendship, Wilhelm marks the beginning of a series close to our hearts. Now available at our brewery on draught and in cans to go. Prost!
*We wish to acknowledge and thank Hank Fink for his generous contributions of time and research on Heinrich Fink.
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Clarkvv (16523) reviewed Wilhelm from Schilling Beer Company 1 month ago
Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 7.5 | Flavor - 7 | Texture - 7 | Overall - 7
4 pack of illegibly-dated cans, most recent one drunk 1/2/26, as pictured.
Toasted grains are prominent, as earthy, and lightly peppery hops give some zesty acidity. A touch yeasty, almost faintly metallic, though some softer, richer caramel character chases this away on the finish.
A bit overcarbonated to start, with very fierce, peppery carbonation exacerbating the toasted grain and peppery and earthy hop blend (a bit odd). Caramel and big bread soften things a bit and there is a reasonable malt depth, though it ends with more hop acid and fairly dry. A bit of an odd one, for sure, and not very Schilling-like. Gets better/softer as the carbonation dies down, but never all that complex or interesting. The hops are just peppery and acidic and the malt rather bready and caramelly.
willisread (9761) ticked Wilhelm from Schilling Beer Company 2 months ago
nimbleprop (16712) reviewed Wilhelm from Schilling Beer Company 2 months ago
Appearance - 9 | Aroma - 6.5 | Flavor - 7.5 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 7.5
Pint at Shelter pours a clear amber with two fingers of creamy, thick head. Nose is a bit mild, grist, some dough, nutty, earthy. Flavor is better and clear. Grain, bread, some nuts, a little caramel or treacle. Just off dry and well rounded.
McDermottDrink (4593) reviewed Wilhelm from Schilling Beer Company 2 months ago
Appearance - 7 | Aroma - 6.5 | Flavor - 7.5 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 7
Deeper Amber color than a normal lager. Pillowy foam head that dwindles in a few minutes. Nose had some soft water, a bit of wheat to it, n.ot big, but pretty nice. First sip does getting in some sharp hops. A bit of sea salt, more of that slightly different water bill. Very light suggestion of tropical fruit, maybe some Belgian yeast. Couldn't do a side by side with the regular lager, but there is kind of an herbal note to it. Nice lacing all the way down. Yeah, I watch for that.