Aecht Schlenkerla Rauchbier Märzen

Bottled from Corks, Bristol. Dark, garnet colour with a decent head. Aromas of the smokehouse - they reminded me of clothes kept to close to a wood fire. Flavours of smoked meats with some fruity malt in support. The smokiness was in check in this bottle unlike other examples of this beer I have had in the past. A pleasant, occasional experience.

Dark, clear, coppery color, the perfect hue for a marzen, with abundant foam atop, creamy, and leaving lace. Beautiful looking glass of beer. Aroma: bacon. Big malt, sweetness, but mostly smoke, cured ham, smoked salmon, memories of meat. This continues into the taste, and joins the palate most pleasantly. Crowds the mouth with sensation. Juicy malt, a fine marzen lies underneath, and is treated well with the smoking. Much milder than other rauchbiers, the smoke playing gently, it’s at the fore, but never too much. Medium bodied, but fully flavored, with a mild, malty finish. Tasty. A remarkable experience, and unforgettable beer.

Rated 2004-02-04. Dark brown, big beige head which lowers slowly, moderate lace. Very smoky, ham-like, malty, tar and wooden aroma. Pretty full-bodied. Malty and smoky, slightly ham-like, sweet flavor with notes of tar and wood. Long and smoky finish. Very nice smoked beer, especially aroma is nice.

Mad props to KAggie97 for laying this one on me...my first Rauchbier. Pours a deep cola color with creamy head. Nose is big time smoked jerky/bacon and other lovely meats. Flavor is smoked meats again (big surprise) as well as some light malt notes. Lighter bodied than I expected, which actually made it very drinkable. Interestingly good.

500ml bottle Shipped straight from the brewery to my door. Pours a brialliant deep garnet with amber around the edges. Tight creamy head with larger bubbles popping up. Upon cracking the cap, the smell of honey glazed bacon on the grill bowls you over. At first this was too strong and off putting. After the beer breathes a little the odor calms and lets some malt through, but the smoked meat remains dominant. Head has now dissapated to a thin film that seems to want to climb up the glass and escape to freedom. Flavor is quite complex. At first your tongue and cheeks are slightly confused. Then a slight sweetness comes in followed by soy sauce, then roasted grains and a definite bite, and finally the smoke comes back in. Smoke, and a hint of something must, linger for a while. Soy seems to come and go in the end. Half way throught the bottle and the aroma now seems to become quite apetizing and the flavors mellow out. Not an everyday beer but it definitely has its charm. Getting to the end of the glass there are now some more subtle flavors coming through. Slight burnt chocolate, maybe something grassy, and I want to say that there is a dark berry hiding back there someplace, perhaps too affraid of the smoke to show itself. My description may not seem too flattering but I think that this is a beer to try... and if you don’t like it, add some honey and this would make a killer marinade for a nice pork loin!

Bottle from Pembury Tavern upon recommendation by Mes. I intended to drink it on the way home, in hindsight, I’m glad I didn’t. Looks lovely, a dark amber or mahogany colour with a barrage of bubbles clinging to the glass but it’s all a ruse. Aroma of smoked cheese, hickory bacon and smokey roasted malts. Taste is dominated by the smoked character with a sort of stout like quality. Gassy with a long slightly watery smokey hop finish. Reminds me of the smell stuck in your nose after lingering over the bar b q pit too long, as I tend to... Not my taste at all but give it a try, you never know?

500 mL bottle. Pours a clear brown with a moderate tan head. Aroma is smoked salmon with a minor hoppy smell. Taste is very roasty, with a bitter finish and relatively slight smoky taste. Mouthfeel is a bit thin. Overall, an interesting beer to taste, but can’t see this becoming part of my normal drinking repertoire.

Bottle from Kingdom Liquors Brandon, Fl. Pours a clear brown/amber with a one finger light tan head that lasts leaving decent lacing. Aroma of smoked ham and a small amount of caramel malt. Taste is the same but with some saltiness. Medium full mouthfeel and mild hop bitterness. Not a beer that I could drink every day and not as good as the Urbock but very enjoyable.