Aecht Schlenkerla Fastenbier (Lentbeer)
Schlenkerla (Heller-Bräu Trum)

Finally got my hands on some of this new (to us) beer and I'm itching to review it. Half liter brown bottle with no clear dating on the bottle.

A -- Pours a lightly hazy, deep copper-brown color with a dense, light tan head that lasts through the duration of the beer and leaves good lacing.

S -- Fireplace smoky with some light phenols. Light DMS becomes apparent with warming.

T -- Flavor is smokiness up front with the phenols holding the backbone of some lightly grainy malts. A spicy hoppiness appears toward the finish of a swallow and lingers with some malt sweetness and light smokiness through the finish and into the aftertaste, with a crisp hop bitterness dominating the end of the aftertaste.

M -- Body is light-medium to medium with a soft to almost syrupy mouthfeel.

O -- A very nice, lighter-bodied, but possibly smokier beer from Heller-Trum -- when comparing this to the Märzen or Ur-Bock. A must-try for any Rauchbier lovers and a good example for those interested in the Bamberg style.

Loving this great smokiness, visit the brewery in Bamberg fantastic.

 

Not a style I visit often, but this currently rated as #1 warrants buying it when I see it. Poured cool to a Willie Belcher. Tons of thick, billowy light tan head that leaves poofs on the side. Color is murky copper. Smoke aroma is there all day. Flavor at first is a bit odd, sudsy meets fishy, but that subdues over time. Once aerated, the base beer equalizes into a mellow, slightly sweet marzen vibe, but inundated with the smoke flavor. Despite its historical use as a fasting beer, this would go well with juicy cheese burgers, blue cheese, and other savory foods. Human ABV keeps it approachable. I would not really drink many of these, but it’s an interesting change of pace.

Copenhagen 7/2 2020. 50 cl bottle from Irma, Smedetoften, Kbh NV. Aecht Schlenkerla’s usual pergament-like label with a drawing of a red wax-seal. Purple border on the label. 2020 edition.

Pours deep, dark brown with a red hue. Medium-sized white head. Settles as paper-thin layer of foam struggeling to cover the surface of the beer. No Lacing to speak of.

Aroma is intense, sweet and smoked. Sweet malts, light saltiness.burnt, smoked wood. Licorice, snus tobacco and ashtray.

Light carbonation. Thin, oily, Lightly tingling texture.

Flavor is medium sweet followed by a slightly more moderate bitterness. Aftertaste is sweetish with a strong smoky touch. Smoky finish.

I can understand that some monks was of the belief that liquids do not break the fast. In that case this “fastenbier” is both a meal and a complimentary smoke.

 

Pours a burnt copper color with over a finger of head. The nose has notes of smoked meats. The flavor is also meaty with smoke that lingers well into the finish. The malt sweetness asserts itself midpalate and blends well with the smoke. The body is plenty hearty enough to carry all the heavy smokiness.

 

Picked up 2 single pint cans, at my local liquor store. Poured into an imperial pint glass, and pairing with sirloin steak/brussel sprouts/Greek salad for dinner. As with all of the Schlenkerla Rauchbier’s, this one is also stellar looking, in the glass. Dark red/mahogany/cloudy with a nice frothy 3 finger head, that sticks around. First smell, is of burnt tires/uncooked bacon/peat/woody…the first sip, follows the nose. I get a HEAVY bacon/smoked meat/peat/wee heavy? Type taste. This will slowly fade over the next few sips. The hefty malt, will round out the smoky/meaty profile, and in my opinion? Has striking similarities - to a smoky, scotch ale. Not my favourite style of beer(by a longshot) but the complexity Is off the charts, and I can see why people seek this brew out.

Poured from can, the body is a dark amber with a wee tan head. Lacing was good.

Aroma is lightly smoky. Taste follows nose as the smoke is prominent but not overbearing. The malt bill is weighty and lightly caramel sweet which wonderfully pairs with the smoke. A light hop note at finish.

Mouthfeel is soft and carbonation medium.

 

Pours a dark color with a nice head and lacing
Aroma has smoke and roasted malt hints
Taste has a very well balanced smoky and roasted malt flavor
A medium bodied moderately carbonated beer
A great Rauchbier

 

 

 

 

16oz can. No dating information found. Brewed in Germany, canned in Connecticut.
Slightly cloudy, medium amber colored body. One thin finger of beige head, which retreats to allow a surface storm to survive. Just a few lacing spots are left behind.
Aroma is smoked barley. Smell of smoked meat and an addition of floral hops.
Taste is roasted malt with caramel and smoke. Smoked meat flavor with some campfire smoke. Rich and savory. Sea salt lingers.
Medium mouth feel. Sweet note mixes in with the smoke. Good carbonation.
Good beer to provide a meal during Lent.

500 ml bottle, vintage 2024, as Aecht Schlenkerla Rauchbier Fastenbier, from Vinmonopolet, Nettbutikken. Also available at Cardinal, Stavanger. ABV is 5.9%. Clear and deep reddish brown colour, large off-white head. Aroma of smoked malts and smoked meat. Malty flavour, slightly sweet, smoked malts galore. Moderate to low bitterness.

 

Side pour Draft at Hill Farmstead