Big Smoke Ale
Storm Brewing

Big Smoke AleBig Smoke Ale
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From:
Storm Brewing
 
British Columbia, Canada
Style:
Smoked Beer
ABV:
8.5%
Score:
86
Avg:
3.78 | pDev: 9.52%
Reviews:
9
Ratings:
15
Status:
Retired
Rated:
Nov 06, 2014
Added:
Dec 07, 2011
Wants:
  0
Gots:
  1
No description / notes.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by bcaputo99:
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Rated by bcaputo99 from Florida

3.2/5  rDev -15.3%

Nov 06, 2014
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 3.12 by ZachT from Canada (BC)

Sep 13, 2013
 
Rated: 3.5 by fizzyted from Canada (ON)

Jul 16, 2013
 
Rated: 4 by 604growler from Canada (BC)

Oct 26, 2012
Photo of FondueVoodoo
Reviewed by FondueVoodoo from Canada (BC)

4.2/5  rDev +11.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
A: Deep dark brown like strong coffee although slightly more transparent. Poured with very little head - just a scant creamy lacing on top

S: Smooth light peat smoke with hints of coco powder and sweet dark molasses malts, finishes with faint note of tannins.

T: Starts with sweet dark molasses malts and hints of roasted coffee and deeply caramelized sugar. The hops balance out the malts midway, while the peat smoke finishes dry.

M: Medium to full bodied, oily feel and creamy with low carbonation. While the finish is dry the brew is overall creamy.

O: Excellent brew for a strong flavoured dish, red meats or umami flavours. The peaty smoke is smooth and rich and the finish is oaky and dry like wine. Great drink.
Sep 22, 2012
Photo of liamt07
Reviewed by liamt07 from Canada (ON)

3.85/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Bottle shared by Steve/Justin, 650ml into a tulip.

Dark brown with reddish clarity at the edges. Light brown head, and moderate retention. Nose has slight chocolate, gentle smoke and some sweeter dark malts. Taste has light smoke, chocolate malt, roast and decent bitterness. Medium body. A nice smoked beer, kinda has some porter character.
Sep 08, 2012
Photo of Sammy
Reviewed by Sammy from Canada (ON)

3.77/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Recent bottle from friend of friend. A nice drinking smoked beer, nothing unusual just moderate and conservative, not much sweetness. A nice bitterness to it. Surprisingly high abv, but no booze detected. Full mouthfeel.Moderate smoke aroma. Light tar appearance.
Jun 03, 2012
 
Rated: 3.75 by chickenm from Canada (BC)

Mar 20, 2012
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Reviewed by wordemupg from Canada (AB)

4.05/5  rDev +7.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
650ml bottle poured into tulip 18/3/12

A clear reddish light brown with a large well retained beige head that leaves lots of random lace

S a little fruity caramel but its mostly smokey peat, not over the top though I even get a little hops peaking through the smoke

T more peat in the mouth with a slight nutty aspect, pretty solid stuff and I have no idea where the booze is hiding

M medium bodied with the perfect amount of carbonation leaving it feel creamy, no booze heat is impressive and a lingering peaty aftertaste will surely be there tomorrow

O I like the fruity peat and how the smoke is rather mellow despite the name of the brew,

this one could level you if you give it the chance, its pretty easy to drink considering how strong it is, props to chickenm for hooking me up with this bad boy
Mar 19, 2012
Photo of maclean25
Reviewed by maclean25 from Canada (BC)

3.28/5  rDev -13.2%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
I bought a pair of 650 mL bottles while passing through Chilliwack. I didn't realize it was a limited edition when I bought it, nor did notice the price tag ($9 per bottle). I had an imported smoked beer years ago at some pub but don't really remember much about it beyond the obvious.

It pours with big creamy beige-light brown head which reduces quickly with little lacing. The body is clear brown (like a watered down cola).

It is quite aromatic with some peat smokiness in there but generally it smells fresh, like an ocean. It tastes much lighter than I thought (considering it is called Big Smoke). I remember the smoked beer I had years had was much more smoke flavour. I'm a little disappointed as I was expecting something more like an Islay Whisky. There is some peat smoke taste in there but I had to concentrate to separate out the flavours. More generally, it tastes more like a smoked meat or canned oysters (and tobacco?), chased with some peat. There is an oily taste also which seems to build up as I drink. No alcohol taste despite the 8%. It is very bold with a strong taste, too much so for me.

Overall, I just don't care for this one. I was expecting something more in line with a scotch. The bottle art (depicting a cityscape with a billow of smoke emanating out) is apt: overall the taste and mouthfeel does remind me of pollution.
Mar 11, 2012
 
Rated: 4 by myzamboni from California

Feb 07, 2012
Photo of Derek
Reviewed by Derek from Canada (BC)

4.12/5  rDev +9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Collaboration with Russell (and bottled there). I've always enjoyed their Wee Angry... this one takes it to another level.

Deep amber with a light tan head, light retention, leaves a little leg.

Huge peaty, somewhat smoky aroma. Some underlying caramel and earth.

Taste is peaty, smoky, somewhat earthy, plenty of caramel, some roasted nut, tobacco, cocao, solid bitterness to balance the residual sweetness, alcohol is extremely well-hidden. Perhaps just a bit too bittersweet (ie. I'd cut back on the crystal malt and bitterness).

Fairly full body has a light residual sweetness.

Well-crafted. A nice drinker.
Jan 26, 2012
Photo of DaftCaskBC
Reviewed by DaftCaskBC from Canada (BC)

4.35/5  rDev +15.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
A: Black cola coloured liquid with minimal tan head.

S: Smoke, peat and malt.

T: The name "Big Smoke Ale" nailed the taste profile. Intense smoky flavours up front which rapidly transitions to a malty and somewhat nutty finish. I don't normally like smoked beers or schwartzbiers but this is nice. I can appreciate this beer, but, like most of James from Storm's beers, I realize that its not for everyone.

M: Medium viscosity and low carbonation.

O: When I met James from Storm and he found out who I was on beer advocate he said that I was just being "nice" in regards to rating his beers. But, I honestly believe that the specialty beers that he has a hand in making -- such as this one -- are made for the connoisseurs. This beer exceeded all of my expectations after comparing this beer to other smoked beers I have tried. If James from Storm ever reads this, he has to get off his keister and start bottling and/or canning his own beers because his stout and ipa would be welcome additions in the fridges of many. Especially mine!
Dec 12, 2011
Photo of Rutager
Reviewed by Rutager from Canada (BC)

4/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Appearance. Pours a deep amber-brown with over 2 fingers of frothy off white head.

Smell. Sweet roasty malts, light smokeyness.

Taste. Sweet caramel and roasty malts, smoke builds but stays at a reasonable level. Finishes pretty clean.

Mouthfeel. Medium-full body with lower carbonation.

Overall. Good smoked beer. A little sweet for me, but well made.
Dec 11, 2011
Photo of BDTyre
Reviewed by BDTyre from Canada (BC)

3.58/5  rDev -5.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Brewed in collaboration with Russell Brewing. I listed this under Storm as they're listed first on the neck, and they don't normally do bottled beers.

Dark copper with a big foamy head. Smokey peat scent, but the head sort of filters it and its actually quite soft. Light leather and tobacco notes. Light creaminess in it.

Light bitterness, definite smoke character, and a nice, sweet and pleasant malt taste. Behind the smoke is a nice milk chocolate and toffee taste. Not much peat despite the "big & peaty strong ale" on the label. Faint tobacco hints.

A bit oily, but it works with this. Smooth, like a scotch.

Nice beer, the booze is hidden well. Good to see BC brewers putting out interesting beers like this. Good, but I'd like to see this fine tuned.
Dec 07, 2011
Big Smoke Ale from Storm Brewing
Beer rating: 86 out of 100 with 15 ratings