Franconian Rauchbier
Red Rock Brewing Company

Two years ago I stumbled across a couple of rauchbiers at the Red Rock Brewing pub, one a draft and the other in a bottle. The draft was an extremely mild smoke beer with barely a hint. After a sampler and a dunkel, I requested the bottled version and the waiter finally obliged. Pay dirt! A true rauchbier in the USA!

Fast forward nearly two years, another cross-country roadtrip and passing through Salt Lake City again. I contacted Red Rock to inquire about the availability of the bottled, true Bamberg-style rauchbier, in October. I was put in touch with the head brewer who affirmed the brewing of the bottle version, Franconian Rauchbier, and set aside some bottles for me to pickup.

My first bottle left me unsettled, expecting a more complete body and taste. However, my second bottle was very fulfilling. I attribute this to road weariness and a proper pour for my bottle at home. The glass was laced throughout and retained a moderate head, beautiful bouquet of head and full mouth flavor and swallow. Very low carbonation or I just didn't notice it. This appears to be a rauchbier helles, maybe a bock or festbier style. The smokiness is probably midpoint on the "Schlenkerla smoke scale" (between the helles which is not a full rauchbier and the strong smoky Urbock).

Brilliant dark amber with a small retentive head
Smells exactly like sweet corn, which is strange, but impressive
Taste is sweet and smokey, detectable corn taste, notes of licorice.
Overall a very interesting tasting beer, but not gaggy like a saison