Saugatuck Bamberger Rauchbier

Brewed by Saugatuck Brewing Company
Style: Smoked
Douglas, Michigan USA

Rusty color with a dense, lasting, off-white head. Soft caramel aroma with campfire, cedar, and bread notes. The flavor is definitely smoke at first with some hints of nuts, spice and a slight noble twang and vegetal finish. Creamy medium body with soft carbonation.

At the ’08 MBG festival. Deep reddish amber color with a thin khaki head. The nose reminded me of smoked liver sausage and bacon. This is a very smokey beer with lots of smoked bacon, roasted grains, and some burnt coffee. The finish has hints of campfire and greasy cast iron skillet.

2008 MiBGF: Deep brown with an okay frothy off-white head. The aroma has smoked wood and smoked meat overtones along with a roasted and caramel vapour, grassy and earthy esters as well. The taste has a moderate smoke character throughout with some mild bitterness and ripe dark fruits in support. The mouth feel is lively and sharp with an ashy dry finish. This is a very good bier, well done for the style.

Draft sample at MBGF07. Poured brown color with an average creamy off-white head that was mostly lasting with good lacing. Moderate roasted malt and smoke aroma. Medium body with a smooth texture. Medium balanced smoke flavor with a medium bittersweet finish of moderate duration. I would recommend this to a freind.

Anniversary Trip 2007

5/18/2007: Pours a pretty clear amber color with a small, but dense ivory head. The aroma is mildly smoky with some red white/vineous qualities. The smoke is well balanced in the aroma. The smokiness falls of somewhat at the finish. The finish is also balanced and has an even dryness. I like how the beer transitions from smoky to malty and complex part way through. This beer is creamy, smooth, and mellow in the mouth. This was my favorite of the Saugatuck offerings. They only use 65% smoked malt in this brew, so this would be a good starter beer for those looking to get into Rauchbier (smoked beer). While talking to the brewer while I was there I found out that they have done an imperial version of this beer that they said was awesome. I would love to try that one and would also love to see these guys do a 100% smoked malt Rauchbier!

Draught sample and ping (7.0% ABV) at Saugatuck Brewing Company in Saugatuck, Michigan.

This beer has a moderately smoky aroma, and a distinct roasted malt nose. The flavor of smoke is subdued, but distinct...I really enjoyed the experiment. While this brewer is generally very conservative, aiming to "introduce" beer novices in the area to new flavors, this is a rather bolder approach. I think they would be well served to go even farther on a couple of styles so that they might have some more robust options for their customers to move up to.