Aecht Schlenkerla Rauchbier Märzen

There are few pleasures in this world like Schlenkerla Marzen from the wood. Oh sure, I’ll take the bottles, but let’s not kid ourselves, those are only a 4.7 or 4.8. When you go to the ausschank in the Bamberg Altstadt, it’s different. The glass lands in front of you. The appearance of the beer is a unique reddish-brown, nice and dark with a thick but not overstated head. The aroma is pure smoke goodness, nothing more nothing less. The palate shows incredible balance. Yes, the smoke is huge, but so are the chewy, earthy malts. The wood finishes the beer, lending it impeccable balance and drinkability. There’s no need for writing expansively about the nuances and the subtleties...this is simply the perfect beverage. Perfect looks, great aroma, great flavour, perfect balance...finishes brilliantly. The most perfect beer on the planet, on gravity from the wood like real beer should be.

First I will assume that this is the Marzen that we are evaluating. The brewery also makes an smoked Ur Bock, a smoked Wheat, as well as an unsmoked helles. With that said, this is the standard that all other Rauchbiers are judged against. It has a wonderful smoked flavor that grows on you with each glass. It is the perfect beer to complement any smoked meat. Freshness is always a concern, although I have found that this beer does not suffer from age as badly as most.

Fiery bronze. Fully sustained rocky wisp of head. Resplendent nose of anise-spiced smoked poultry, tobacco, and perfectly ripe black plums. Wafts of straw and clean lager yeast sneak into the nose. Creamy, but with an equal amount of chalkiness to match. Understated medicinal sharpness quells the deceptive fruitiness. Dab of caramelized malt and maple glaze sweetness lies sandwiched between the chalky-edged dryness and smoky bacon. Intensity of the smoke, coupled with the spiciness of the hops, leave the palate numb. So polished and elegant, but magically rustic, as well. Lush malt notes deposit tongue hugging starches and lightly husky malts (Pils?) which act as an eternal undergird to the body. Dangerously quaffable due to the impeccable attenuation, but, amazing, it retains its satisfyingly smoky and bready girth. Firm, depth-lending punch of minerals compounds the dry, herbal twinge of hops, along with the gentler fruitiness that lurks beneath. Finishes commandingly bready and perpetually smoky with a crowning stroke of straw. Hail to the wonders of double-decoction mashing. After all these years, this still hails as THE quintessential Rauchbier.

One of my favorite beers. This is the defining standard for all rauchbier. Pronounced SCHLENK er la. Most Americans don’t like...leaves more for me!

Smoke titan: after opening a bottle with this beer, you feel the smoke is everywhere in the room: in your nose, in your ears, on your lips. One of the most unusual and wonderful beers in the world.

This is THE beer: unbelievable aroma of smoked meat, malty and smoky taste, incredibly long aftertaste.

Rerate - I really liked this before so I figure it’s time for another go-around. Pours a beautiful clear dark brown with a reddish hue and a thick, tight off-white head. Aroma is GODLY - roasty smokey hickory ham and beef jerky- very, very prominent. Flavor starts off with dark caramel, a pinch of roastiness then, a ton of smokehaus wood/meat, bread and a hint of pipe tobacco. Pleasant light level of sweetness; very well-balanced. Ends with an earthy/herbal noble hop character and a tinge of pepper. Medium bodied with a smooth texture and perfect lively yet, non-prickly carbonation. Leaves great lacework. Just exploding with flavor AND extremely drinkbable. A masterpiece.

DON’T BE SCARED OFF BY THE STRONG AROMA. Pours deep mahogany brown w/ a full semi creamy froth. Aroma of smoked meat is strong. Reminds me of the morning after a campfire. That heavy smoked aroma is in your hair, clothes. Brings back memories. Medium nectar w/ soft residul effers. Flavors are surprisingly mellow w/ a defined smokey character. Mellow fruit w/ softly leathered jerkey and slight creamy vanilla garter. Surprisingly easy to palate after the big smokie nose. Just a pinch of bitterng on the finish. This one improves upon warming. I bought two bottles. I anticipated drinking only one of them. I drank one cold then the other made the hour trek home in a paper sack. It was so delicious I couldn’t resist. The temperature of bottle two was perfect. This brew rocks. It’s so easy to drink with perfect balance of flavor.It’s funny how an aroma will evoke such childhood memories. I highly recommend this brew. DON’T BE SCARED OFF BY THE STRONG AROMA.