 ClarkVV (3547), Allston, Massachusetts, USA
Apr 18, 2006 Updated: Dec 27, 2006
Undated bottle from Belfast Co-op (I would guess it to be a fresh 2006 bottle) consumed on 4/15/06.
Full clarity, yet seemingly bottle conditioned? I don’t see any sediment, but the head is full, creamy, rocky and creates plenty of lacing. Strong retention. Pure, brilliant gold in color is the body, while the head is slightly off-white. Either it is bottle conditioned or it’s just extremely fresh and these guys are incredible at artificially carbonating their bottles.
Smells of lightly singed wood, touches of lightly grainy malts and a surprisingly low amount of yeast apparency. Touch of munich malts in the background perhaps, but it’s difficult to be sure in light of the smoke. Extremely clean and flawless. Light bacon, touch of spicy hops pop up with some moderate caramelized sweetness.
Effervescence swiftly carries sweet honey/pils-like malt notes about the palate upon first sip. Spicy hop notes tickle the sides of the tongue in conjunction with light smoked malt phenols. A hint of peachy-nectarine and a gentle reprise of soft honey on the end. I guess this is a smoked pils? Dosent seem much like a helles, as it would be overattenuated for that style and dosent have the yeast apparency or sourish munich malt notes. Whatever the hell it is, it’s absolutely stunningly-well brewed. Hops linger on, lengthening the spicy nature. Never a shade of thinning, even upon warming, and though the beer seems filtered, the mouthfeel has just enough residual dextrins to keep things lightly creamy and substantial. Moderate carbonation, perfect attenuation, smoke is not overdone for the size of the beer. Hops even seem to grow in flavor as the palate becomes accustomed to the smokiness. Head never falls below cover, with minor lace down the sides of the glass. I couldn’t help thinking about Russian River Redemption while drinking this one. Very similar beers (think smoke instead of brett).
DrDavid (117), , Vermont, USA
Aug 18, 2008 (Bottle). Some smokiness in aroma, but also malts. Color is "helles" indeed...light golden, with a white head. I agree with malrubius that this would better be classified as a Dortmunder/Helles lager, rather than a smoked. Yes, there is a definite touch of smokiness to the taste, but nothing approximating their Rauchbiers.
malrubius (402), USA
Aug 18, 2008 500 ml bottle in Schlenkerla glass. Golden with lasting white head. Mild smoke grass and honey aroma. Toasty malty flavor with very mild smoke and clean finish. Medium-light body and medium carbo. Very mild smoke residue adds an interesting layer of complexity to this nicely made German lager, but THIS IS NOT A SMOKE BEER. There is no smoked malt used in this. Why is Stone SMOKED porter classified as a porter, and this fine non-smoked lager classified as a smoked beer. Correctly classified as a helles lager, this would be in the top 5% of it’s style, and deservedly so.
travita (707), Lewisville, Texas, USA
Aug 18, 2008 Yellow goldish in color with a decent white head. Clear and light looking. Smell is smoke, malts, off aromas and starchy (potatoe like). Taste is sweet , malts, bland. Ok body.
Magic_dave6 (3642), London, Greater London, England
Aug 10, 2008 Bottle in Quinns. Aroma is pale german lager malts, the smoked character is very subtle, herbal bittering hop. Taste is similar, really well balanced and tasty.
KimJohansen (3026), Copenhagen V, Denmark
Aug 9, 2008 Clear golden with medium white head. Sweet aroma with malty and caramel notes. Sweet flavor with notes of smoke, caramel and hops. Smoked bitter finish.
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