Aecht Schlenkerla Rauchbier Märzen

Brewed by Brauerei Heller
Style: Smoked
Bamberg, Bayern, Germany

This one is a very weird beer. Like the name says, it is smoked. Intense smoked flavor in every sip. Altough its not so heavy in the texture, for me, one is enough. Good recomendation for open new horizonts in palate and flavor.

Poured into my Eichhof dimpled mug. Body comes up to the .5L line with a full two fingers of creamy tan head floating up top. The burnt umber liquid is a bit hazy from yeast. Aroma hits like a ton of bricks. Epic smoked ham explodes from the head, even more so than the Urbock. That’s really the only note I can pick up because it’s so strong and overriding. The meatiness is toned down in the flavor, taking on more of a smoky campfire character. Underneath the salty twang, there’s a really smooth maltiness that finishes surprisingly clean. There’s a little bitterness in the finish too, but I can’t figure out if it’s hops or a charred remnant of the smoked malt. Smooth and easy drinkin’ despite the extreme flavor. Medium body and perfect carbonation.

Deep dark smokey malt aroma, like smokey scotch. Reddish brown with a decent beige head that turns into a thin layer quickly. Strong taste of smoked pig, nice carbonation, dry smokey aftertaste.

Pours reddish-orange with a small whitish head that reduces to a thin skin and leaves behind spotty lace. On the nose are: sweet, smoked malt, caramel and light ash. Light to medium-bodied, slick and dry with a sporadic tinge of metal at the swallow. Sweet caramel and Munich malt with a solid smoked ham note in support. I would prefer a bit more body to accompany the flavor profile, but it is appropriate to the style. Thanks for sharing this one with me, Don!

coffee, roasty, soy sauce, black, sparkling, brown foam, very bitter, full body, oily feel, thick feel, long finish,

Dark reddish brown with an off-white lacing head. Nose is malty, strongly smoky (ham) with some tar. Flavor very balanced between the soft smokiness and a dry, malty dunkel. Finishes dry and herbally bitter, with tar and light liquorice even. Light to medium bodied, smooth palate. A great, light and smooth rauchbier.

Wonderfully smoky aroma reminiscent of smoked sausages. Hop aroma and flavors are replaced for the most part by the smoke, which is more than capable of balancing the subtle sweetness of the malt. Great paired with grilled meats, dried meats (like Bresaola), and cheeses (especially smoked or blues). This is a love it or hate it beer--those not familiar with smokebeers may want to begin with the Helles Lagerbier rather than the Marzen, as it provides an entry-level smokiness.

On cask at the brewery. Smokey baconlike aroma, very strong smokey flavor. Some sweetness. Full palate, quickly disappearing.