 ClarkVV (3547), Allston, Massachusetts, USA
Apr 3, 2006
On draught at Redbones, 4/1/06. From what I gather, this year’s batch wasn’t quite as enjoyable as last year’s.
A beer of low filtration, but this has settled out to be nearly clear, with a bright orange hue hididng behind deep amber-auburn. Moderate amount of bubbles rising in the liquid creates a small, beige head that is neatly retained at cover, with a touch of lace.
The nose is the most softly understated smokiness I have encountered in a long time. Not in your face like the Urbock, and not even as strong as the marzen, but still just full, lasting and refreshing, filling the nostrils with applewood smoked bacon, smoked almonds, sweet vanilla cream and daintily arousing further curiousity with graceful, yet spicy hop notes on the end, coupled with light candied apples, pinches of cinnamon sprinkled overtop oranges and a fresh unpasteurized yeastiness.
The flavor combines a roasted meat fullness with an almost cheddar cheese-like robustness and deep saltiness. Things never get out of hand nor do they become overdone, as the hops are well apparent, bringing leafy, hay-like spices, tangy as well, but with bright herbal notes emerging on the end, in time. Never too heavy in the mouth, but with just enough unfiltered chewiness and the signature oiliness (which is light here) from the smoked malts. Tending towards the sweeter side of things, but playful, moreso than heavy, with sweet fruit notes adding a livliness I dont remember from the other Schlenkerlas. No alcohol anywhere. Very cohesive, homogenized beer, well-balanced and tastefully done in all aspects. Probaby the most delicate smoked beer I have had, though delicate is quite a relative term when it comes to smoked beers! Kind of like a smoked alt. Hopefully they do a smoked eisbock next.....
RagallachMC (631), Cleveland, Ohio, USA
Jul 4, 2008 Draft. Aroma: Lots of earthy smokiness, caramel, and some bready malt. Appearance: Reddish-brown in color and hazy with small coppery highlights. Off-white head was small and fleeting with very little lacing. Flavor: Big campfire-like woody smokiness with notes of bread, caramel, and cinnamon. Some nice hoppiness in the midtaste with a noticeable piney/herbal taste. Finishes with light bitterness and a lingering smokiness. Palate: Medium bodied. Moderate carbonation. Overall: Great beer. The smoke was front and center, but didn’t overwhelm the other flavors.
JPDIPSO (4267), Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, USA
Jun 28, 2008 Draft, Clear umber color with moderate off white head. Light, but deep smoked bacon with a bit of bread dough in the background. Initial smoke flavor followed by a mild pale malt backdrop. The smoke and hops fight for attention in the middle to finish. An interesting combination of light herbs and smoke that is certainly different, but works for me. Finish is long and lightly salty and smokey. I though this might be a bit past prime, but the hops were still fresh and spicy. I could sit with this, my smoker, some ribs of brisket and be happy for the afternoon.
1FastSTi (2402), Glendale, Wisconsin, USA
Jun 27, 2008 Tap. Pours to an oddly hued copper body with a tall mostly lasting creamy white head and decent sheet lacing. The aroma is smoky salmon and juniper berries. The flavor is smoked for certain. It has an odd juniper berry, spruce needles, dry old wood, and strange malt base. Very, very unique. There’s some things I’m detecting but can’t place. Almost like this is a rauch-Belgian. Perhaps smoked bubblegum with strange hops. Dry mouthwatering palate and a silken texture. STRANGE!
GAManiac (339), Atlanta, Georgia, USA
Jun 11, 2008 Pours dark brown with mahogany tints with very little head and a little lacing. Wowzers, this one smells like smoked sausage up front with the roasted malts in the background. The taste follows the aroma with a huge smoked bacon and sausage flavor but the sweet malt base comes through a little more in the taste and balance the brew very well. The body is medium with the smoky malt lingering on the palate for ages. I’ve only had a few rauchbiers, but this one is the best by a mile. Highly recommended.
Rciesla (813), Brick City, New Jersey, USA
Jun 2, 2008 Draft. Pours a dark malted body with a a quickly diminishing tan head. Aroma is lots of smoke, bbq, bacon, burnt wood. Flavor is liquid smokiness. A great solid beer. Put down 2 pints back to back.
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