Røyk Uten Ild (Smoke Without Fire)
HaandBryggeriet

Røyk Uten Ild (Smoke Without Fire)Røyk Uten Ild (Smoke Without Fire)
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From:
HaandBryggeriet
 
Norway
Style:
Smoked Beer
ABV:
8%
Score:
88
Avg:
3.95 | pDev: 8.61%
Reviews:
43
Ratings:
76
Status:
Retired
Rated:
May 28, 2022
Added:
Oct 15, 2010
Wants:
  7
Gots:
  7
No description / notes.
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Ratings by biboergosum:
Photo of biboergosum
Reviewed by biboergosum from Canada (AB)

3.98/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
500ml bottle. What? Where there's smoke, there's fire, or so I've always been taught. Do things work differently in the land of fjords? What sayeth Slartibartfast of Magrathea on the matter?

This beer pours a murky, dark dirty brownish amber colour (this conveys smoke rather well, thank you very much, left brain!), with three fingers of puffy, foamy, and shiny ecru head, which leaves some crudely broad caricatures of arched lace around the glass as it evenly bleeds away.

It smells of moderately smoky (somewhat seaside oriented in its bearing), bready, and salted caramel malt, a soft, singed generic orchard fruitiness, some understated nutty milk chocolate, and weirdly funky and herbal hops. The taste is rather cocoa-heavy at the outset, the smoke saving its focus for the late arriving caramelized toffee malt, some persistent, if still underwhelming apple and pear fruit esters, persistently prickly earthy, leafy hops, and a slightly warming, swirling alcohol edge.

The carbonation is average, if just a bit more slavish to the frothing, effervescent manner, the body a steady medium weight, and smooth in a battlefield sense - calm now, sure - but what to expect right around the corner? It finishes off-dry, as the chocolate maltiness, lingering burnt fruit, and still unloved caramel notes combine to hold the persistent smoke at bay.

A decent smoked beer, a league or two more palatable than the last similar offering from this particular nation (I'm looking straight at you, Nøgne Ø). The key seems to be the integration, because while it is indeed smoky, we're led to perceive this as a sub-attribute of whatever typical beer meme we're currently sussing out, rather than as an overarching component of the whole. As wanky as that was, it's true, and a straight-up compliment to the brewer.
Jan 27, 2013
More User Ratings:
Photo of Sigmund
Reviewed by Sigmund from Norway

3.39/5  rDev -14.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
500 ml bottle, courtesy of Cardinal Pub & Bar, Stavanger. Batch #273, ABV is 8%. Very dark brown colour, big and lasting tan head. Nice aroma of smoked malts, bonfires, tar, smoked and cured meat , but also some fruity notes. The flavour is very smoky and ashy, quite dry. Meaty finish.
May 28, 2022
 
Rated: 3.75 by bigred89 from Maryland

Mar 11, 2017
 
Rated: 4.1 by ncelauro from New York

Apr 13, 2015
 
Rated: 4 by KAF from Iowa

Jul 07, 2014
 
Rated: 4.5 by tykechandler from Kentucky

Jun 27, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by macesq from California

Jun 15, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by afsdan from Colorado

Mar 21, 2014
 
Rated: 3.5 by tom10101 from Canada (QC)

Mar 07, 2014
Photo of BierJager89
Reviewed by BierJager89 from California

4.06/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
A: Pours black with a big mocha head.

S: Smoke, licorice, molasses, dark chocolate and coffee in the nose.

T: Dark chocolate, a bit of smoke, some coffee. Pretty good. Almost a bit tart. Maybe some lemon.

M: Full bodied and kind of smooth.

O: If you like smoky scotchy stouts, I definitely recommend this beer.
Feb 07, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by Kirk from England

Dec 28, 2013
 
Rated: 3.75 by Rand_ale_Thor from Wisconsin

Dec 12, 2013
 
Rated: 3.75 by jaydoc from Kansas

Nov 24, 2013
 
Rated: 3.75 by wrw5031 from Georgia

Oct 18, 2013
 
Rated: 4.25 by AnitaBrewski from Massachusetts

Oct 01, 2013
 
Rated: 3.75 by Beardcore from Nevada

Sep 03, 2013
Photo of Mebuzzard
Reviewed by Mebuzzard from Colorado

3.92/5  rDev -0.8%
look: 5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
This is an intense beer and glad to not see it in a 750ml bottle.

I'm going to call its color black, because it's darn dark. Huge off tan head, spotty lacing, thick bed of foam as it settles. Yum!

Aroma has smoke for sure. A bit of peatiness that is a bit astringent but works well in the nose. Dark roasted malt, just shy of chocolate. Leather and hints of old wood

Flavor takes a dip a bit. The peatiness comes on heavy here. Not quite cloying but close. It has a sharpness that makes the smoke lose character a bit. Almost like charred grain...almost. But the smoke is darn good. Dark caramel, baked in leather wraps. Some earthy spice.

The feel is a bit much. It's not smooth. The peat or something gives it tannins that overpower the flavor. I'd like to enjoy the smoke and malt, but not be reminded of the feel...if that makes sense.

Still, a great beer. Probably best with burnt ends brisket. Mmmm...
Aug 11, 2013
 
Rated: 3.75 by liamt07 from Canada (ON)

Jun 25, 2013
Photo of Derek
Reviewed by Derek from Canada (BC)

3.8/5  rDev -3.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
A: Deep amber-chestnut, tan head, great retention, leaves a bit of lace.

S: Nice smoky aroma, roasted nuts, light caramel.

T: Roasted nut, rye bread, dark caramel, peppery spice, honey-like sweetness with a solid bitterness for balance. Nice amount of smoke. There's certainly a lot of flavour here, but it's not all that well integrated, so it seems a bit harsh.

M: Moderate body has a light residual sweetness and a hint of acidity.

O: An interesting brew, but not really to my taste.
May 22, 2013
 
Rated: 4.5 by Zachtheporter from Wisconsin

May 07, 2013
Røyk Uten Ild (Smoke Without Fire) from HaandBryggeriet
Beer rating: 88 out of 100 with 76 ratings