Aecht Schlenkerla Rauchbier Urbock

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

Like so many of the finer things in life, the first bottle of this stuff is awful. The smoke is overwhelming and unpleasant, and the result is a concoction worthy of the ole’ sink sacrifice. But give it just one more shot, and you will discover a beer of astonishing complexity, with varying layers of smoke at different stages of the tasting process. The underlying bock is of the highest quality. Indescribably delicious with pork chops or smoked ham. The best beer out of Germany, and a top five brew for me.

This smoky beauty devastated me on the first sip. Even pouring it was a real treat - gorgeous color, just the right amount of head. As others have noted, it’s a real food-accompanying sort of beer - it just cries out for robust meats and fish. This Urbock deserves to be a legend.

OHMYGOD. The aroma is smoked cheddar and hickory-smoked bacon; the flavor a mix of sweet (maple, chocolate) and smoky, slightly bitter malt and wheat. With this complexity and sweetness, you’d think it would be a ’special occasion’ beer suitable only with certain foods or in front of a roaring fire -- you’d be wrong. My current favorite beer (and brewery!), justifiably occupying a spot in our collective ’top 10.’ The finish is perfect, with just a hint of lingering smokiness -- this must be what smokers of fine cigars experience!

I know that small brewery, it´s from Bamberg, I´ve been there. I was surprised that youcan get this beer in the US.

Multiple bottles. Dark burgundy and brown colored body with a small film of a tan head. Spicy flavor, full of spicy yeast up front, and if can you believe this, there’s not a lot of smoke up front on the first sip... that changes soon. The meaty salami flavor shows up very strong, and the palate is mostly crisp and spicy, which is really nice. The smoked meat and smoked cheese flavors are divine... reminds me of elk camp, and really this is a beer I have to bring to elk camp again this year. The nose is more of the same meaty salami scent, but it’s crazy delicious. Up front there’s a ton of huge biscuity malts, then it turns to a smooth long-lasting smoked ham and salami flavor into the finish. Great stuff, one of the best beers I’ve had.

While sitting here looking at my empty bottle, I now realize precisely how good beer can be. I mean I’ve had some great brews, but this one is not only possibly perfect, it’s different and that goes a long, long way. I’m not sure how to put into words how good this brew really is, so I will simply say it’s probably one of the best brews I’ve had the pleasure to enjoy. I will leave the detailed book review to other reviewers, but I will say this...the rich smokey aroma, the deep smokey taste, a nice hoppy finish...the only way they could improve on this beer would be if they included a super model with every purchase and she served it out of her bellybutton. Simply outstanding. ’Nuff said."

(br-btl cr-lbl, rd-txt)

lct-mhny, §head, §co2, med-bod.

bbq pit aroma.

§smokey malty T1, §bitter T2, mineraly smokey T3, maltier Tf.
smoke flavor is meaty but not lingering, simple but ^character.

Had this at the brewery in Bamberg, after enjoying bottles of it in Omaha. I was surprised that there was no difference when I had it on site. Didn’t wait to try any other beer in town, since if I died after having this one, I would be happy. The smoked flavor is really lifelike, like eating smoked ham...smooth and smokey. Bitter? No! Why anybody else brews smoked beer, I don’t know. Nothing else is of this caliber. This is, as I’ve seen written, "the high altar of smoked beer."