Surly Smoke

Brewed by Surly Brewing Company
Style: Smoked
Brooklyn Center, Minnesota USA

TAP at the Blue Nile (Minneapolis, MN) on 2.14.09. Pours a dark brown, not as smoky as some (like Left Hand Smoke Jumper). Smells/tastes like campfire with some beef jerky. Pretty good.

Growler thanks to Beerlando. Dark brown pour. Smokey malts, not nearly as smokey as I’d expect it to be. Tastes like a sweet, smoked ham. Very cool smooth feel to it. Quality meat.....quality beverage.

Growler courtesy Beerlando. Pours a dark brown color with a black center with a small tan head that leaves some spotty lacing behind. The aroma is nice and shows a good amount of smoked malts and peat with some chocolate and coffee undertones. The flavor is again very chocolaty with some skorched caramel and oaky vanilla adding depth and flavor. The smoked peat and smokey meat are noticeable as well. Dark fruits come through as it warms up and really balances out the smokiness nicely. Medium bodied and very silky mouthfeel with good carbonation adds up to a smooth drinker. Very solid brew and one I am glad I got to try. Thanks Brian.

From tap at Surly brewery on Darkness day. Black color with tan head. Smoky roasted nose with hints of vanilla. Flavor is intense; bonfire smoke, malt, cherry, cocoa, with the right amount of carbonation. An amazing porter.

Definately one of the better Scotch ales I’ve had. Heavier than most, the name hits your first smell right on the head, which by the way is a mild medium tan. Taste a roasted nutty grain that sat downwind from a campfire. The smoke taste is good, certainly not too overpowering, which can be the weakness of some Scotch-ale types.

Draft. pours a black/brown color with a tan head that has moderate retention but very nice lacing. Smells like....bacon. Seriously, it smells like bacon. Nice large smoke smell with a touch of sweet malt. Flavor is very smooth and easy, smoke mixed with chocolate malt. It is thin and easy on the palate. Very easy going down. The smoke flavor is just right, not too in your face like a lot of smoke beers. I could have couple of these no problem. Well done.

[Draft at Duke O’Brien’s] Poured a chestnut / mahogany color with a small, light tan head that left nice lacing on the glass. Aroma of roast, smoke, burnt malts, cocoa, vanilla, wood, bourbon, and dark fruits. Taste of cocoa, smoke, burnt wood, dried fruits, roasted malts, vanilla, and a bit of alcohol in the finish. Faint astringency.

Growler pour from Beerlando. Thank you Brian!! Pours a dark brown with a thin tan head. Smoky malt aroma, peat and hints of dark fruit. Taste is dominated by the smoked malt but has lots of dark fruit notes poking through to balance the flavor. Very clean and smooth taste and extremely easy to drink. Very solid brew.