Aecht Schlenkeria Rauchbier-Pale Edition
Schlenkerla (Heller-Bräu Trum)

Bottle pour into a nonic pint glass. Look is deep amber color with a nice tan head that fell to a cap. It is unfiltered so appears a bit closed. No lacing left behind in the glass. Smell is campfire smoke with some malt base. But wood, smoked meat are predominant. Flavor is sweet, malty, earthy up front. The smoke hits in the middle where it's balanced by earthy hops and a little bitterness. Still, good balance between the two. Finish is grain, caramel, wood and smoke. Feel is medium bodied with a slick, coating texture. Medium carbonation keeps things moving. Overall, not as intense as some of their other beers, but still a great experience. I look forward to drinking rauchbiers as I don't get to enjoy them as often as I'd like. The mouthfeel and smell are the best parts of this already excellent drinking experience.

4/26/26 - (Can - Home) (Chicago, IL) Can Notes: Purchased this 16 oz can at store temperature, Beer on the Wall, for $5.70 with tax on 4/18/26. Refrigerated at home until pulling this morning. No can date listed, can stamp can stamp B. United PR #02169, which may translate to January 21, 2026. Aecht Schlenkerla Rauchbier (ges. gesch) Beer, 5.1% ABV, Unfiltered Pale Edition. Dem Bayerischen Reinheits gebot entsprechend gebrautes. Brewed & Bottled by Brauerei Heller-Trum, Bamberg, Germany. Imported by B. United International Inc., Oxford, Connecticut.

Bamberg’s specialty as pale special edition. The classic smoked beer with a difference: for the pale Marzen, we produce a lighter smoked malt in the Schlenkerla malt house, which ensures a bright, rich amber color. The pale Marzen matures for months in historic rock cellars and is bottled unfiltered for a particularly full-bodied taste.

Appearance: Poured about 2/3 of the can into a shaker pint glass, yielding ann unfiltered bronze orange base, mild sustained carbonation and a generous creamy egg tan white head leaving soapy lacing and a creamy cover over the entire base. 4.5

Aroma: A smile came to my face as the nice smoked wood came out instantly upon pouring. Oak predominant backed by maple glazed bacon. Outstanding if you love these flavors. 4.75

Taste: Consistent with the aroma, though maple glazed bacon firmly in pole position, the smoked wood secondary but still packing a punch. Focused, delicious. 4.75

Mouthfeel: Drinks stronger than the 5.1% ABV, though that perception could be my exhaustion from the previous day. Sweet maple, smokiness adds some balance, a bit dry, smoked wood and maple glazed bacon now form a near even battle as this warms and I reach the halfway pole. Perfect smoke strength, if you like rauchebiers. 5.0

Overall: Once again this brewery exceeds high expectations from wonderful previous experiences. Really would love to visit this brewery someday, but extremely grateful for these beers when we get them. So glad I came across this new one, plan on buying more to enjoy and also share. Thank you! 4.75