Where There's Smoke
Twisted Manzanita Ales

Where There's SmokeWhere There's Smoke
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From:
Twisted Manzanita Ales
 
California, United States
Style:
Smoked Beer
ABV:
7.4%
Score:
83
Avg:
3.54 | pDev: 14.41%
Ratings:
18 | reviews: 5
Status:
Retired
Rated:
Dec 11, 2014
Added:
Jan 09, 2012
Wants:
  3
Gots:
  3
Bronze Medal - 2012 World Beer Cup: Experimental Beer

Special Release: November
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Photo of BeerAdvocate
Reviewed by BeerAdvocate from Finland

3.89/5  rDev +9.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
From BeerAdvocate Magazine #72 (Jan 2013):

Smoked beers with chili are all the rage now, being this is a rye beer adds a lot of depth as well. A clear sipper from the fullness of the rye. The heat from the chili pepper does start to catch up with you after several sips, bearable but still very noticeable. Very well put together.

STYLE: Smoked Beer
ABV: 7.4%
AVAILABILITY: Rotating

LOOK: Opaque dark brown, thick three fingers of head

SMELL: Assertive smokiness, mild roasted graininess, chili peppers, spicy rye, figgy, toasted biscuits, hint of yeast

TASTE: Malty, fullish body, slightly viscous, spicy rye, roasted malt, balanced smokiness, spicy chili warmth, peppery, faint caramel, mild hopping,
Dec 11, 2014
Photo of Ozzylizard
Reviewed by Ozzylizard from Pennsylvania

2.82/5  rDev -20.3%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.75
Undated bottle at 45 degrees into snifter
Aroma of smoke, not too strong
Head tiny (< 1 cm, aggressive pour), light brown, fizzy, instantly diminishing to broken 2 mm ring, no surface layer
Lacing none
Body dark brown/black, opaque
Flavor begins with some light smoke then the chilies kick in and any other flavors are lost; no hops, no alcohol, no diacetyl, just a long chili burn
Palate medium, creamy, lively carbonation

Appearance 2.5, Aroma 3, Flavor 2.75, Palate 3, Overall 2.75
Dec 07, 2014
 
Rated: 3 by GRG1313 from California

Jul 19, 2014
 
Rated: 4.25 by nebuchadnezzer from California

Jul 10, 2014
 
Rated: 3.5 by 2GOOFY from California

Mar 16, 2014
 
Rated: 2.5 by golf4collet from West Virginia

Mar 10, 2014
 
Rated: 3.5 by JohnF51 from California

Feb 05, 2014
 
Rated: 3.25 by ste5venla from California

Feb 03, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by rrski198 from Georgia

Dec 27, 2013
 
Rated: 3.5 by MickeyMonk from Arizona

Oct 26, 2013
 
Rated: 3 by JDJTEXAS from California

Sep 07, 2013
 
Rated: 3.75 by I_heart_beer from California

Aug 06, 2013
 
Rated: 4 by BigLittleHokis from California

Feb 25, 2013
 
Rated: 3 by NickMunford from Wyoming

Dec 02, 2012
 
Rated: 3.5 by t0rin0 from California

Oct 25, 2012
Photo of DoubleJ
Reviewed by DoubleJ from Wisconsin

4.37/5  rDev +23.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
Okay, so my first two Manzanita experiences ended as dissapointments. Still, I have hope. I'm a sucker for smoked beer, and despite the $7.99 pricetag, I grabbed a bottle with little thought. You know what's next:

The attractive red hues alongside the deep black body, combined with a sturdy and semi-creamy head make a good first impression. And where there's smoke, there's usually goodness. With the addition of peppers and its stout-like base, they create a very complex nose. The smoke aroma is excecuted well, providing smoked meats. Paired with the meat aroma are peppers and spicy roasted coffee. I'm lovin' it!

It's hard to disagree with this beer's flaovr. It's stout like, it's spicy, and it's smokey. Coffee hits first, then comes in a kick of spicy chipotle peppers. Chocolate then emerges. The smoke finally arrives towards the tail-end, providing the flavor of cured meat. AS for the beer's mouthfeel, it's one of a kind. It's thick. No, I'm still understating it. It's MASSIVE. Maybe even too massive, I'll admit. I mean, it feels like it's 12% ABV massive, not 7.4% thick. Nonetheless, it is very creamy and smooth like a milkshake.

Third time's a charm. This is a big and bold ale with multiple, pleasurable personalities. This is like Bootlegger's Black Phoenix on crack. Manzanita has a winner in Where There's Smoke.
Mar 11, 2012
Photo of bennettagius
Reviewed by bennettagius from California

4.02/5  rDev +13.6%
look: 5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Manzanita is very near me but I've not had an opportunity to enjoy their tasting room yet. Despite there proximity we have not been able to get acquainted.

Bought a 22oz from a local bottle shop incidentally named The Bottle Shop.

Manzanita's labels are distinctive of the brewery and not so unique to each beer. This is probably good marketing.

The beer poured black. Sheer black. Light does not pass through this beer. The head dissipated quickly but could easily be revived and laced the glass well.

The flavor was chocolately malts, spice, smoke, some fruity/bready base. Very rich and complex. The heat creeps up from behind but isn't stinging or lasting but very intense.

I recommend eating something with it, probably beef or chicken and rich dark sauces or saucy foods.

Great beer.
Feb 18, 2012
Photo of mactrail
Reviewed by mactrail from Washington

4.05/5  rDev +14.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Label describes this as "Smoked rye ale brewed with chile peppers." I think it's more of a smoked beer than a rye, but it all adds up to a blast of flavor. Taste buds think it's 12%, but it's just the heat. Really dark reddish brown in the Duvel tulip.

Not reading the fine print, the hot peppers was a surprise. And they are pretty hot, though for me the peppery flavor is still in the pleasure zone, though barely, like a good salsa. The aroma is smokey, but the long nose as you exhale is full of the chiles and roasted barley. However, that burnt aroma may be your tongue on fire.

Hard to sort out the malt flavors, but there seems to be plenty of sweetness. This may be a little over the top, but it's a great example of a truly intensely flavored beer that still manages to be both beery and fun.
Jan 09, 2012