Bonfire Of The Valkyries
New Albanian Brewing Company - Pizzeria and Public House

Bonfire Of The ValkyriesBonfire Of The Valkyries
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From:
New Albanian Brewing Company - Pizzeria and Public House
 
Indiana, United States
Style:
Rauchbier
ABV:
8%
Score:
83
Avg:
3.65 | pDev: 18.9%
Reviews:
23
Ratings:
58
Status:
Active
Rated:
May 03, 2015
Added:
Dec 30, 2006
Wants:
  5
Gots:
  5
20 IBU
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by Gustavus_97:
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Rated by Gustavus_97 from Michigan

4.25/5  rDev +16.4%

May 29, 2014
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 3.5 by atlbravsrno1 from Maine

May 03, 2015
 
Rated: 3.87 by Lukass from Ohio

Apr 25, 2015
 
Rated: 4 by threedaggers from Kentucky

Jul 26, 2014
 
Rated: 3.25 by Rudes from North Dakota

Jun 21, 2014
 
Rated: 3.5 by tykechandler from Kentucky

Jun 19, 2014
Photo of Cresant
Reviewed by Cresant from Kentucky

3.99/5  rDev +9.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
I poured this undated 22 oz. bottle into an etched tulip pint glass. The very dark brown/black body supported a modest tan head that receded to a film.

The smell is primarily smoked grains. A bit vegetal, but inviting. It smells like stepping into a BBQ restaurant - sweet and smoky. Faintly reminiscent of peppercorns and campfires.

The texture of this beer is creamier than I expected from a lager, however, this is a big lager. Medium to full bodied with adequate carbonation, smooth in the mouth.

The taste reflects the aroma. Restrained smoke with a welcome snap of lager crispness. The smoke is definitely the main character in this beer, but it does not assault you. The middle is a bit sweet but it finishes with a light, roasted grain bitterness. The IBUs are low at 20. There are some dark sweet chocolate notes as well as a light nuttiness. Very well hidden alcohol - this one weighs in at a hefty 8% ABV, but it is difficult to taste it here.

I suspect this beer is homage to Roger Baylor’s well-known love of smoked Franconian rauchbiers. I find this to be a well-balanced and easily drinkable smoked beer. It is so drinkable that it would be easy to gloss over the subtle, yet present, layers of this enjoyable beer. I am confident this would pair well with anything from your grill or smoker this summer.
Jun 11, 2014
 
Rated: 4.5 by Bstrickler from Kentucky

May 23, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by BSuter from Indiana

May 07, 2014
 
Rated: 3.25 by sabitu from Kentucky

Mar 07, 2014
 
Rated: 3.25 by Jakep2021 from Kentucky

Mar 07, 2014
 
Rated: 3.25 by rxthree from Ohio

Feb 02, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by zrab11 from Indiana

Jan 20, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by tommy5 from Michigan

Dec 25, 2013
 
Rated: 1 by HopsMatt from Kentucky

Nov 20, 2013
 
Rated: 4 by osuskin from Indiana

Oct 02, 2013
 
Rated: 3.75 by vfgccp from New York

Jun 30, 2013
 
Rated: 3.75 by mpayne5 from Indiana

May 28, 2013
 
Rated: 3.75 by bkonk10 from Indiana

May 22, 2013
Photo of DavoleBomb
Reviewed by DavoleBomb from Pennsylvania

4.36/5  rDev +19.5%
look: 3.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
Poured into a stange. Big thanks to khumbard for this.

3.25 A: Black color. Aggressive pour gave two fingers of fizzy medium brown head that quickly fell.

4.0 S: The nose is just what I want in a rauchbier - smoky. Big roasted porcine smokiness with campfire undertones. There doesn't seem to be much of the lager coming through past the smoke aside from some roastiness, but that's fine, it smells great.

4.5 T: The taste is even better than the nose. It maintains the same smoke pork smokiness along with campfire, but is balanced by a sweetness - a woody sweetness - that you might get from burning certain species of trees. It's like a dark, roasty caramel. However you describe it, it works. A lot of smoked beers are a taste bud tease in that they smell super smoky, but don't taste super smoky. This isn't one of them. The smoke is deep and complex. With the sweet maltiness balancing, I can't seem to find any problems. Very nice.

4.5 M: Medium body. Carbonation isn't very active, but there's enough of it. Silky smooth creaminess that enhances the taste. Goes down far too easy for a beer this big. Great here as well.

4.75 D: Very solid rauchbier. Plenty of flavor with depth and complexity and a killer mouthfeel. Both the taste and mouthfeel were borderline 4.75, so I put it here instead.
May 01, 2013
Bonfire Of The Valkyries from New Albanian Brewing Company - Pizzeria and Public House
Beer rating: 83 out of 100 with 58 ratings