Sieben Hugel
Brasserie Dieu du Ciel!

Brew had deep color, somewhere between copper and bronze, with a modest bubbly cap. This is true to the traditional Bamberg, Germany style. Significant smoke in the nose and flavor. This is a straight-from-the-hip rauchbier--smoked malts, burnt caramel, toasted cereal, wood. Plays rauchbier tradition to the hilt. A must for smoked beer fans.

16 ounce can - listed now at 5% ABV.
Pours a clear bronze amber with a finger of fine bubbly eggshell coloured head.
Nose hits initially with the smoked malt - campfire and a bit of honey ham, some caramel and cereal notes and just a bit of woody earthiness.
Sweet and smoky bready malt on the palate - some caramel, and just a little bit of that smoked meatiness - finishes with a gentle woody and earthy bitterness.
Medium mouthfeel - decent depth though lighter than something like Schlenkerla's Marzen - the smokiness carries the beer without being overpowering. Quite nice and would definitely have again and recommend for those who enjoy smoked beers (though Schlenkerla remains the gold standard).

Pretty solid light colored rauchbier. Caramel colored, white head, little lacing. The aroma is smoke and sweet malt. The taste is sweet with caramel and smoke and a decent bitterness. Nice beer.

 

On-tap at DDC.

Beer is cloudy orange, caramel in colour. Modersately-sized frothy white head. Head fades steadily but not quickly. Good lacing.

Smell is nice and strong. Quite smoky, smells like barbequed pork! That is all I get, but it is nice.

Taste contains smoke and bbq flavours. Reminiscent of barbequed pork or barbeque sauce. Some honey and bready malt. Sweet. The beer itself, underneath the smoke, is not strong in flavour- the focus here is the smoke. Pretty good.

Medium bodied, moderately carbonated. A bit thin.

Overall, quite good, but a bit one dimensional. I would have this again but wouldn't search it out.

 

 

At Cask Days 2011

Hazy orange amber colour, soapy white head, no lace. Smell is roasted and smokey, lots of smoked meat and bacon notes, some campfire like scents, good smoked malt points, lots of smoke in general. Taste follows the nose with lots of smoke and meaty flavours, light bitterness, long smokey finish. Light carbonation, good feel, medium body, solid. Very drinkable and was quite nice on cask and would think its better on tap, I will defintley order this again if I come across it.

On tap at the Dieu du Ciel media tasting at Volo. I was drinking this while chatting to the DDC guys - a friendly bunch and a great beer.

Hazy light orange with a creamy white head that put down some nice lacing. Great smoked aroma, lots of camp fire, some meat and subtle fruit underneath. Smoke is spot on in the flavour, with some sweet fruit and grain to provide a bit of depth. Aftertaste lingers pleasingly. Medium-light body and pillowy carbonation work well.

An awesome beer - I'd take this over Schlenkerla, and found it a lot more drinkable.

Enjoyed on tap at Bar Volo Dieu Du Ciel Night. Brewed in August. Peachy colour with some grewy highlights. Lacey, one-quarter inch of white head. Attractive smoke aroma. Fuller mouthfeel. Bang on the style, moderate sweetness behind smokey taste, refreshing. Goes great with smoked meat sandwich.