Aecht Schlenkerla Rauchbier Märzen
Schlenkerla (Heller-Bräu Trum GmbH)

Aecht Schlenkerla Rauchbier MärzenAecht Schlenkerla Rauchbier Märzen
Beer Geek Stats | Print Shelf Talker
From:
Schlenkerla (Heller-Bräu Trum GmbH)
 
Germany
Style:
Rauchbier
Ranked #16
ABV:
5.4%
Score:
91
Ranked #7,564
Avg:
4.07 | pDev: 14.25%
Reviews:
1,250
Ratings:
2,610
Status:
Active
Rated:
Yesterday at 02:37 AM
Added:
Jul 11, 2001
Wants:
  219
Gots:
  382
Notes: ABV may vary slightly year to year.

Aecht Original Schlenkerla Maerzen Smokebeer, considered the classic example in its category, has been brewed for centuries in the baroque town of Bamberg in Franconia (Bavaria/Germany). Following the most ancient malting traditions, all its select barley malts are kilned over a fire of beech wood logs at the Schlenkerla maltings. Brewed in classic copper vessels and matured for months in 14th century cellars, Aecht Schlenkerla Rauchbier is a truly unique smoky beer experience.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
 
Rated: 4.32 by cabsandking from Ohio

Yesterday at 02:37 AM
Photo of dd53grif
Reviewed by dd53grif from Michigan

4.1/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Pours a dark brown color with a foamy head that lasts quite a while. Aroma of smoke and roasted malts. Taste is very smoky with a roasted malty bitterness.
Sep 16, 2023
Photo of KleinSchwein
Reviewed by KleinSchwein

4.07/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Poured from a 500ml bottle.

Pours a deep orangey brown , a small , off white head turning to a ring and leaving little lacing.
The smell is burnt caramel and spice , clove and smoke and boy is it smoky when you taste it ! It's rich and the burnt caramel and spices are still present, the clove lingers and there's a mild bitterness throughout . It's all so rich and well balanced, comforting and warming.
The mouthfeel is velvety with little carbonation.

Over , I enjoyed this despite not knowing what it was initially.npicking up a random bottle at the shop with German writing had me surprised but pleasantly so . It feels almost festive .
Sep 09, 2023
 
Rated: 4 by HarlotBronte from District of Columbia

Sep 09, 2023
 
Rated: 4.48 by Rollmeaway2loadout from Illinois

Aug 13, 2023
Photo of Ushouldbeworkinh
Rated by Ushouldbeworkinh from England

4.14/5  rDev +1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Like drinking malty speck, very smokey, with bubbles and sugar.
Jun 27, 2023
 
Rated: 4.68 by Finudhwair

Jun 24, 2023
Photo of angrybabboon
Reviewed by angrybabboon from Massachusetts

4.35/5  rDev +6.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
Consumed 6/18/23

Somewhere between dark amber and brown, clear, pours with a medium to large sized tan head, retains a mostly solid cap and leaves nice lacing
Substantial amount of smoke, both in the aroma and flavor, burnt wood, fire pit, hints of smoked meat, beef jerky, smoke is brilliantly balanced with the malts, caramel and amber grains, cooked grains, toasted bread, bread crust, crackers, slight earthy and grassy notes, some malty sweetness, burnt caramel, molasses, hints of dark fruit, lingering smoke
Medium body, smooth but with a very crisp finish, moderate carbonation

I reviewed Schlenkerla Helles about 6 years ago, and I have been meaning to review this since. Whoops. There is not much to contribute to the conversation because this has been a classic for hundreds of years. Schlenkerla Helles has delicate malts paired perfectly with a delicate amount of smoke. The malt profile here is much more substantial, but there is more smoke to balance it out. Obligatory to try this at some point.
Jun 18, 2023
Photo of FRANKHAZE
Rated by FRANKHAZE from Florida

4.05/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Sharp smokey notes surround a sweet malt character. Interesting and unique. Not for the faint of heart!
Jun 04, 2023
Photo of tekstr1der
Reviewed by tekstr1der from New Hampshire

4.24/5  rDev +4.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
"A truly unique smoky beer experience" indeed. My 4th of this brewer's beers and a delicious one. I do wish there was perhaps a bit more sweet to the malt presence. I was recently fortunate to have a 2012 bottle of their doppelbock, so the bar is set silly high. Another very tasty beer here.
Jun 03, 2023
 
Rated: 4.5 by JamesLeung from Florida

May 27, 2023
Photo of Whyteboar
Reviewed by Whyteboar from Michigan

4.02/5  rDev -1.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Poured cola dark brown with a good tan head that dissipated slowly.
Covid has mostly robbed me of my smelling ability so nothing here, I assume it's pretty good!
The taste was barbecued marzen - smoked malt somehow evokes barbecue sauce and to top that, it works astoundingly well in this beer. No bitterness, but there are undertones of grassy flavors (none of this sounds good to non beer drinkers, does it) The bready malts are reminiscent of rye bread, and all of it together makes for a really good flavor, I mean, they cram a metric ton of flavor into the 5.1 ABV.
The feel was excellent, sufficiently viscous to carry the taste with just enough carbonation to keep it lively and without harshing the mellow.
I can see why some people really love the style. I don’t know if I will ever love the style but I certainly appreciate more than I did. Good beer
May 18, 2023
Photo of Dayrons321
Rated by Dayrons321

4.47/5  rDev +9.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
Great brew, nice subtle flavor. Nice hints of smoky
May 18, 2023
Photo of jadpsu
Reviewed by jadpsu from Georgia

3.77/5  rDev -7.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Son in Law had this and we both split one.
LOOK: Pours a deep mahogany brown in color with a tan head. Retention is at best average, side glass lace in minimal.
AROMA: Molasses burnt coffee, burt toast.
TASTE: Very smokey, more burnt coffee and molasses
The mouthfeel here is very drying and overall not in my wheelhouse. to much smoke.
May 13, 2023
 
Rated: 4.25 by Andyman22 from Texas

Apr 28, 2023
Photo of AElfwine_Nerevar
Reviewed by AElfwine_Nerevar from Connecticut

4.25/5  rDev +4.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
L: Pours a deep amber color with very good clarity. The pour yields 3 fingers of khaki head with pretty good retention leaving a nice ringed and spotty lacing on the glass.

S: Beechwood smoked malt is prominent complemented by a rich bready malt character, notes of caramel malt and brown sugar, a hint of dark fruits, and a minimal hint of herbal noble hop character bleeding through all the malty goodness.

T: Big notes of smoked beechwood, a bit of toasted malt, rich bready malt character, hints of dark fruit (I am getting fig), notes of fresh cut hay and earthy noble hop spice on the backend and finish.

F: Medium to medium-full body with medium carbonation. The mouth feel is nice and smooth with a light dryness on the finish.

O: Another great beer from Schlenkerla. While this is not my favorite beer from them this one is still a winner presenting a wonderful smoked malt character with rich bready malt. The hop bill contributes a subtle noble character that complements the malt bill perfectly. Recommended!
Apr 17, 2023
Photo of vickersspitfire
Reviewed by vickersspitfire from Texas

4.61/5  rDev +13.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
or all the beer whisperers out there, this brew will have you smelling smoke like a bloodhound on a brisket hunt, and while you can't quite put your finger on the exact smoke flavor, you know it's good enough to make a Texan proud.

But hold on to your taste buds, because this beer is about to take you on a wild ride. It's sweet, it's bitter, it's smoky, it's smooth - it's like a roller coaster of flavors! And just when you think it's all over, bam! The smoke flavor hits you on the way out like a ninja in the night.

This beer is like a full-bodied lover - it covers you completely and leaves you feeling satisfied, and while it may not be as smoky as you expected, it's still a smokin' good time. So go ahead and give it a try - your taste buds will thank you.
Mar 19, 2023
Photo of brentk56
Reviewed by brentk56 from North Carolina

4.18/5  rDev +2.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Appearance: Pours a clear chestnut color with a one finger beige head; excellent retention and a wall of lacing

Smell: Bread and caramel balanced by an ashy character

Taste: Bread and caramel forward with a hint of molasses underneath; through the middle, the ashy aspect develops and leads to a balanced finish between the sweetness and the smoke

Mouthfeel: Medium body with moderate carbonation

Overall: Not as ashy as the others from this brewery I have tasted but the balance is excellent
Mar 18, 2023
 
Rated: 4.06 by Douet

Mar 16, 2023
Aecht Schlenkerla Rauchbier Märzen from Schlenkerla (Heller-Bräu Trum GmbH)
Beer rating: 91 out of 100 with 2610 ratings