Church-Key Holy Smoke

On tap at the brewery. Appearance: Nice dark brown almost black and a light brown head. Aroma: Nice and smoky, lots of malt and whiskey, delicious! Flavour: Again malty with smoke and peat, lots of chocolate, nice medium body and a lovely warming smoke finish.

This is a nicely put together brew. The smoke is balanced with the malt, and neither is overpowering. From a personal preference, I’d like a bit more malt, and have the smoke lingering in the background, rather than the foreground. A really underrated brew.

On tap from Volo. poured a dark, roast color. Strong bacon and fire aromas (im not lying). the best way to describe this beer is passing out drunk by a campfire and waking up to taste the shirt you passed out in.

Pint at Volo - this is smooth and tasty! Just a hint of smoked whiskey malt character that underlines the sweetness and soft fine hops. Good stuff, don’t be afraid of this one.

Pours a dark brown with a thin white ring of foam. Aroma is very meaty, smoky and savoury. Add to this the sweetness of the malt, and the taste is not unlike a sweet cured ham, pineapple, cloves and all. Good carbonation, body is rather chewy for the style - not bad! Probably one of the more quaffable beers of this style. Thanks to Robin for the trade!

Courtesy TheCheeseman. Dark amber-brown color, thin white head. Musky leathery oxidized aroma, not very smoky. Caramel taste, mild smoke, bland finish.

Draught @ Volo. Rich opaque black with thick, creamy tan head. Lovely aroma of chicory, potato skin. Very earthy with dark cereal grains. Very soft mouthfeel is creamy and velvety. Peaty flavors are subtle and integrated. Most of the smoke emerges in the beginning and then yield to mild, whiskey or sherry barrel high notes. Relatively short-lived but well-structured palate. Highly drinkable and smooth, a peaty yum yum beer.

[1324-20080503] Tap. Smoky wooden roasted malt aroma. Dark dark brown body with a medium-lasting bubbly light brown head. More smoky sweet wooden malt in the flavour with a hint of chocolate. Medium-full body. Drinkable, interesting.
(@ Church Key; Campbellford, ON)