Sierra Nevada Rauch Beer

Brewed by Sierra Nevada Brewing Company
Style: Smoked
Chico, California USA

Though lacking body and mouthfeel, this rauch has a wonderfully genuine smake flavor (some smokiness tastes more "real" than others--and faux smoke notes are one of my top turnoffs when it comes to beer). The lingering...lingering....lingering aftertaste was also surprisingly nice--as it lacked that touch of malt vinegar that so often mars otherwise exceptional smoked beers. (Tap, BrewKettle, 2/10/07)

On tap in the Taproom, Chico. Not very familiar with this style. Smelled like a smoldering campfire the morning after a raging inferno. Taste was similar in nature, like a legacy to its former self. Most flavors were subdued and gentle. Picked up some raisin, smoke of course and not too much else. Smoke stays on the palate and gets more noticeable after setting the beer down, much like a campfire clings to your clothes through the next day. Malty light on the hops, could have had a bit bolder of a body. Good level of smoke.

Mild smoke, mint and cookie dough in the aroma. Clear amber-copper coloured body is topped by a low, off white head that recedes to a very slight ring. Strong, biscuity, round malt character with assertive but nicely balanced smoked malt character. Underlying fruity esters add depth and dimension. Medium body with fairly lively effervescence. Sampled on tap the Blind Tiger in NYC with Olivier_MTL and Rastacouere.

On tap at Barcade. Light brown color with a small tan head. Finally a rauch that I like! Smoky aroma was very mild (probably why I liked it), with toasted malts and some caramel. Flavor was again mild smoke, followed by a rich malty backbone. The smoke wasn’t "meaty" like many rauchbiers, but nice and mellow.

(Draft: Sierra Nevada 2005 Beer Festival at Lucky Baldwins in Pasadena, CA) This will be my final beer of this festival, and I’ve saved what I’m hoping will be the best for last. As with the others, it looks beautiful in my small Chimay glass, boasting that tall, creamy, tan head with the excellent retention and supreme curtain-like lacing. Dark amber in color, and again, it’s crystal clear. Things really get interesting with the nose. As expected, it’s very smoky, like sitting around a camp fire, but there’s also a good bit of spiciness I tend to associate with Belgian ales. Oddly enough, with as smoky as the beer smells, the initial flavor is pretty light on the smoke. But as we near the finish, the smokiness starts to build on the palate and then hangs on. Still, it’s not a beat you over the head kind of smokiness, but more subtle. Moderate maltiness also doesn’t become apparent on the front end either. Rather, the beer starts a bit nutty and gently hoppy like an English Bitter, but as I’ve noted, that is short lived. Medium bodied, nicely carbonated, smooth on the palate, and that smoky finish is just wonderful. I made the right decision by finishing with the Rauch Beer. This is really nice, and for those that don’t like smack you up smokiness, this shows how this style can be executed without being overbearing.

On tap at Blind Tiger. Amber in color with a little head. Malty smokey hoppy aroma. Caramel notes. Smokey hoppy caramel flavors. Finish is smokey. Smooth. Medium bodied. Decent beer.

Draught at Blind Tiger, NY - lighter in flavor than some other rauchs I’ve had, but that made for a much more subtle smoke flavor, which is good for me (a lot of rauchs taste a bit baconesque to me) - not overhopped as I expected from this brewery - quite malty (caramel malt mostly) - actually much better than I was expecting.

Couleur ambrée aux reflets orange foncé et remonté d’une faible quantité de mousse refusant d’adhérer au verre. Plaisant caractère de malt fumée, boisé, tourbé, sous une touche de caramel et de noix grillées et de même de fruits. La présence des composantes fumées est évidente mais tout de même un peu retenue, en faisant un breuvage intéressant dans sa balance. Texture légèrement huileuse, corps d’épaisseur semi mince, douce carbonatation. Servi en fût, Blind Tiger, N.Y., Septembre 2005.