Hofmeister Review and Win!

Growing up Christmas was a very busy time for our family. My dad, who owned and ran several milk rounds, had his Christmas stock and larger milk orders to cover the holiday period. My mum, despite helping organise stock for my dad, was working many shifts in a local social club.

With Mum working in a family friendly place my brother and I often accompanied her there and was under a watchful eye from her as well as many of the regulars who knew us well.

Growing up this meant that we were always around alcohol and seeing others enjoying having a drink this time of year. When we both turned 18 we too always enjoyed the festivities and then, at the end of the busier nights ,we would all sit down and enjoy a drink together; something we continued to do until mum passed away.

I was always a fan of the larger Hofmeister. It always had an enjoyable taste and when drunk responsibly a much deserved treat in the holidays.

However, that was many years ago. Sadly, Hofmeister ceased trading back in 2003 and the memories that I had were exactly that, memories; something I always continued doing every year after.

I was, understandably, quite surprised when I received an email discussing that Hofmeister was back if I was willing to try, review and potentially do a giveaway for them!

Following a 14 year hiatus and break (the original brand was stopped by then owners Heineken), the new Hofmeister brand is back and has been made over into a Helles larger, slow-brewed in Germany.

It’s been bought by two guys called Richard Longhurst and Spencer Chambers with a known and extended history within the drinks industry and then brewed by a fourth generation family-owned brewery located on the edge of Ebersberger Forest in Bavaria.

What I instantly loved on reading this is the love of the beer by two guys on a mission and the family centred brewery. It capsulated everything I loved about my childhood, teens and early adulthood by the activities we did as a family; as well as bringing back a beer that I had always loved.

The logo, although still a bear, has been updated and modernised but still has the recognisable aspect of the Hofmeister brand. They have even, in my opinion, smartly kept the slogan “Follow the bear” so it brings back the love that was there without being stuck back in the 80’s and 90’s with the old fashioned image and packaging.

Other than being served behind a bar, you would find the beer in a yellow can but now they can be found in a modernised and styled bottle.

So what does it taste like now?

I was exceedingly lucky to be gifted for the review with 12 of their bottles to test and try. It is very interesting from being a Hofmeister fan from before to now as I wouldn’t say that it tasted the same and yet it still brings that warmly recognisable taste. The colour is lighter than before and despite its 5% alcohol content it isn’t recognisable as a “weaker” volume.

Considering the Helles larger is meant to roughly translate to “light beer” I think this new rejuvenated Hofmeister fits that style perfectly.

For me, this is fantastic and allows the yearly tradition to continue once again! Joining in with the Christmas Spirit Hofmeister have actually also just launched a couple of gift sets on Moonpig; a 2 Pack Selection & Glass and a 5 Pack Selection& Glass perfect for stocking fillers! Alternatively you can purchase some of your own larger here.

Giveaway

Hofmeister are giving my readers a chance to win this bundle.

It contains:

12x bottles of Hofmeister
2x pint glasses
1x bottle opener
1x Limited Edition Oktoberfest Jacket

The Giveaway will run for 7 days and will end at 11:59 pm on the 18/12/17.

So please follow the instructions on the rafflecopter below to enter! You can find my usual competition terms and conditions by clicking the blue writing here: Competition Terms and Conditions

a Rafflecopter giveaway

(This was a collaborative post. My opinions are my own and I am under no obligations to produce a positive post. Please see my full disclosure at the bottom of my blog)