Fire In The Ham
Jack's Abby Brewing

Fire In The HamFire In The Ham
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From:
Jack's Abby Brewing
 
Massachusetts, United States
Style:
Rauchbier
Ranked #49
ABV:
5.4%
Score:
86
Ranked #18,277
Avg:
3.84 | pDev: 12.24%
Reviews:
73
Ratings:
347
Status:
Active
Rated:
Aug 18, 2023
Added:
Oct 17, 2012
Wants:
  20
Gots:
  36
Caution! This is an intensely smokey lager similar to those found in Bamberg, Germany. Most of this brew's malt was dried over flaming beechwood, which ingrains unique smokey flavors. Aromas of campfires, smoked ham, and bacon dominate a soft malt and hop backbone. Although hard to believe, this beer is vegan friendly.

20 IBU
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by JakerLou:
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Rated by JakerLou from New Hampshire

4/5  rDev +4.2%

Sep 20, 2013
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 4.06 by Mcb99d from Massachusetts

Aug 18, 2023
Photo of KP7
Reviewed by KP7 from Massachusetts

4.2/5  rDev +9.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
Pours a dark yellow/light orange very similar to apple cider. Not much head, but I could have been more vigorous on the pour.

Nose is all smoke. The beechwood comes through to a remarkable extent; it's like standing near an open-pit barbecue. A hint of sweetness after it warms a bit, but I still get basically all smoke.

The taste starts off heavy on the smoke as well, but as it warms other flavors pick up strength and start to balance things out. I get a slight sweet bread and apple that then mixes with the smoke and hop bitterness on the finish to give that smoked, honeyed ham flavor. Smoke and hop bitterness linger on the finish.

Light-bodied with a fairly high, but small-bubled carbonation that helps keep things refreshing without getting carb burn, this goes down real smooth. As a side note, JA has really nailed their carbonation game lately with their traditional natural carb techniques. Makes a noticeable difference in their canned offerings compared to those of other brewers.

I've had Fire Rocks in the Ham, the steinbier version, and found this to be a better brew. A bit more carmelization in Rocks, but the increased smoke of this is what I came for.
Aug 05, 2023
 
Rated: 4.02 by Manfrombelmonty from Massachusetts

Feb 22, 2021
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Reviewed by mikeinportc from New York

4.06/5  rDev +5.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Translucent medium orangey-gold, with one finger of off-white head.

Smell indeed is smoked ham. There is a slight sweetness , as if the ham has a brown sugar glaze. The moderate smokey aroma becomes more pronounced as the head fades and the beer warms.

Taste is moderately smokey, slightly sweet grain, a slight bit of orange marmalade and baked apple, with a light taste of ham pan-drippings towards finish. A bit less sweet, and less smokey than the aroma. Lingering light bitterness, and bread crust flavor, give it a slight dryness at finish and beyond.

Feel is medium , with moderately soft , very fine carbonation bite.

Overall enjoyable, with just the right amount of smoke to be noticeable, but also let the other flavors shine through. If you're unsure about the idea of rauchbier, this would be a good one to try.
Dec 23, 2020
Photo of hopalongcassidy2
Reviewed by hopalongcassidy2 from Massachusetts

3.75/5  rDev -2.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
My German brother-in-law introduced me to Schlenkerla Helles (the lightest of their smoked beers) last summer, and I've been a big fan ever since. So, when I saw this offering from Jack's Abby recently, I decided to try it and I was not disappointed! "Fire in the Ham" is wonderful, and reminds me a lot of Schlenkerla Helles. If you enjoy a light smoked flavor, this is one of the smoothest lagers you will ever taste
Dec 05, 2020
 
Rated: 3.93 by wafers from New York

Nov 29, 2020
Photo of Amendm
Reviewed by Amendm from Rhode Island

3.96/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
A strong pour from a 16-oz. can was needed to produce a finger of off-white creamy foam with long retention. Chill haze clears to a moderate haze, I can read large print through it. Light yellow straw color with a hint of orange.

Strong smell of smoky grilled ham, maple smoked bacon and distant burning wood. Bready malt and spicy hops in the back seat along with baked pears.

The taste is neutral with low bitterness and mild smoke flavor at first. Bready malt character, similar to a Helles Lager, is full and almost adds sweetness. During the middle of the taste the smoke picks up in place of bitterness as ham stands out over the bacon and wood. The finish is crisp, clean and semi-dry, smoky bitterness and spice linger a while.

Medium body with lasting carbonation, smooth in spite of the smoke. A slice of smoked ham that has been reheated over a wood grill is the best way to describe the smoke smell and taste. Well attenuated and balanced.
Canned on 9/9/20.
Nov 08, 2020
Photo of HoppingMadMonk
Reviewed by HoppingMadMonk from New Jersey

4.19/5  rDev +9.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25
Almost clear orange/amber
Medium light carbonation with a just below average body
Aroma is smoke,charred wood,campfire, malt/brown sugar. Definitely has so.e of that smoked ham/meat aroma
Taste has everything the aroma presented. Just mildly sweet and plenty of smoke. I actually don't think the smoke was overdone at all,if anything this is a more subdued reserved version of what most would expect.
I think this would be an excellent introduction for someone looking to try this style as it isnt as deep and rich as most would expect.
Oct 18, 2020
Photo of Rug
Reviewed by Rug from Massachusetts

3.82/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Canned 9/9/20

So, what do we have here? Not exactly a traditional rauchbier, rather an over smoked version. This should be interesting

Pours a cloudy gold with 2 finger of white head that quickly fades to a cap, leaving no lacing

The smoke in the aroma is both woody and meaty. Ham is a very accurate way to describe it. The beechwood characteristic is evident, along with minor notes of honey and doughy malt

Shockingly, this is pretty balanced in taste. While the front end holds flavors of bacony smoke and salt, the back end brings notes of honey and crisp bready malt that balance it out. Light smoke lingers in the aftertaste. Simple, but balanced and tasty

The body is lighter than I expected, but still feels full between the mild carbonation and the smoky flavors. Finishes a touch sticky from the honey sweetness, maybe a few more hop additions would have remedied this

This was interesting for sure. Unique as all hell, but not quite as good as their smoke & dagger. Good stuff, but one is enough
Oct 17, 2020
 
Rated: 4.05 by Tbone2131 from Connecticut

Oct 17, 2020
 
Rated: 4 by Elicoleman from Colorado

Sep 30, 2019
 
Rated: 4 by atlbravsrno1 from Maine

Sep 06, 2019
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Rated by StoutElk_92 from Massachusetts

4.63/5  rDev +20.6%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
Beechwood, campfire, smoked ham and bacon with some bready sweet malts and light herbal hop flavors
Dec 23, 2018
 
Rated: 4.25 by paulish from New York

Dec 04, 2018
 
Rated: 3.52 by KMcGrath from Massachusetts

Nov 27, 2018
 
Rated: 4.14 by crobinso from Colorado

Nov 24, 2018
Photo of DonBowman
Rated by DonBowman from Pennsylvania

4.42/5  rDev +15.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Not a session beer, despite 5.4%. Full of taste as described.
Sep 26, 2018
 
Rated: 4.1 by PJCarnell from Massachusetts

Aug 09, 2018
 
Rated: 4.01 by Zonian1 from Ohio

Sep 13, 2017
Fire In The Ham from Jack's Abby Brewing
Beer rating: 86 out of 100 with 347 ratings