Smoke & Dagger
Jack's Abby Brewing


Beer Geek Stats
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- From:
- Jack's Abby Brewing
- Massachusetts, United States
- Style:
- Lager - Rauchbier
Ranked #25 - ABV:
- 5.8%
- Score:
- 88
Ranked #14,260 - Avg:
- 3.93 | pDev: 10.18%
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- Feb 24, 2022
- Added:
- Jul 30, 2011
- Wants:
- 64
- Gots:
- 219
SCORE
88
Very Good
88
Very Good


Notes:
Cloaked in mystery, this dark black beer skirts the line between a schwarzbier and smoked porter. The use of a small percentage of traditional Beechwood smoked malt adds complexity and balances the liberal use of chocolate malt. Notes of roasted grains, beechwood smoke,and coffee accompany a full bodied-and sweet chocolately malt character. Smoke & Dagger uses locally grown unmalted barley from MA.
25 IBU
25 IBU
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
4.36 by TMoney2591 from Illinois on Feb 24, 2022
3.95 by Stignacious from New York on Jan 19, 2022
4.14 by Manfrombelmonty from Massachusetts on Dec 30, 2021
3.75/5 rDev -4.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
by izraelc from New York
Pours a deep black. Tan foam. Sweet malty aroma. Lighter than it looks. Sweet chocolate body. Flavors could be bolder. A little smokiness. Slight bitter finish. Better than expected.
Nov 19, 2021
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
by izraelc from New York
Pours a deep black. Tan foam. Sweet malty aroma. Lighter than it looks. Sweet chocolate body. Flavors could be bolder. A little smokiness. Slight bitter finish. Better than expected.
Nov 19, 2021
4.24 by RochefortChris from North Carolina on Oct 29, 2021
3.79 by bschmidt_37 from Illinois on Oct 12, 2021
4.18 by The_Kriek_Freak from Pennsylvania on Oct 11, 2021
3.64 by Nyarko-San from Pennsylvania on Jul 15, 2021
3.94 by Ocalafox from Florida on May 12, 2021
4.1 by Blogjackets from Ohio on Apr 27, 2021
4.09/5 rDev +4.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
by Peach63 from New York
Pours copper with a 1 1/2 inch tan head, which lasts. Heavy lacing to the end.
Aroma of roast malt, coffee, smoke.
Taste is roast malt, caramel malt, smoke malt, mild coffee.
Thin bodied, light carbonation. Dry, astringent finish.
One of the best black lagers.
Apr 24, 2021
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
by Peach63 from New York
Pours copper with a 1 1/2 inch tan head, which lasts. Heavy lacing to the end.
Aroma of roast malt, coffee, smoke.
Taste is roast malt, caramel malt, smoke malt, mild coffee.
Thin bodied, light carbonation. Dry, astringent finish.
One of the best black lagers.
Apr 24, 2021
3.93 by TonyStarks2231 from New York on Mar 12, 2021
3.54/5 rDev -9.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
by jgido759 from New Jersey
Poured into a Sam Adams perfect pint glass. Color is deep red, almost black with a 1 finger head that dissipates quickly. Aroma is light smoke, with a hint of chocolate. Taste is that of a smoked porter, unusual but in no way offensive. A clean finish makes for a very enjoyable lager. This was my 3rd Jack's Abby beer, would definitely purchase again.
Mar 11, 2021
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
by jgido759 from New Jersey
Poured into a Sam Adams perfect pint glass. Color is deep red, almost black with a 1 finger head that dissipates quickly. Aroma is light smoke, with a hint of chocolate. Taste is that of a smoked porter, unusual but in no way offensive. A clean finish makes for a very enjoyable lager. This was my 3rd Jack's Abby beer, would definitely purchase again.
Mar 11, 2021
4.23 by kp7 from Massachusetts on Feb 08, 2021
4.14 by Icka31 from Ohio on Nov 21, 2020
3.99 by BFCarr from New Jersey on Nov 18, 2020
4.29 by j37geogaddi from Massachusetts on Nov 15, 2020
4.03/5 rDev +2.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
by Manta200 from Kentucky
16oz can shipped from IMN0P. Can date 9/9/20 (7+ weeks old)
Very little head, amber brown color.
Just a hint of smoke in smell and taste. Could be a little more for me.
Nov 01, 2020
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
by Manta200 from Kentucky
16oz can shipped from IMN0P. Can date 9/9/20 (7+ weeks old)
Very little head, amber brown color.
Just a hint of smoke in smell and taste. Could be a little more for me.
Nov 01, 2020
3.99 by Rainintheface from Massachusetts on Oct 30, 2020
4.49/5 rDev +14.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
by beeragent from Texas
Pours a deep mahogany, appearing black in the glass. 1/2 inch off-white head, with medium lace on the glass.
Strong aroma of smoked malts dominate the nose.
Smoked malts coat the palate, releasing flavors of smoke, a hint of coffee, and dark bread. The hop bitterness is low, but keeps the malts from being too sweet.
Medium bodied, good carbonation, and a clean finish.
This is what I imagine drinking a fresh Schlenkerla Rauchbier would be like.
Oct 13, 2020
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
by beeragent from Texas
Pours a deep mahogany, appearing black in the glass. 1/2 inch off-white head, with medium lace on the glass.
Strong aroma of smoked malts dominate the nose.
Smoked malts coat the palate, releasing flavors of smoke, a hint of coffee, and dark bread. The hop bitterness is low, but keeps the malts from being too sweet.
Medium bodied, good carbonation, and a clean finish.
This is what I imagine drinking a fresh Schlenkerla Rauchbier would be like.
Oct 13, 2020
3.68/5 rDev -6.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
by DaveMaciolek21 from New Jersey
A deep-flavored rauchbier. Smoky, but not excessively, balanced with chocolate flavor. The depth of flavor is really impressive--smoke, roast and sweetness in a very fine balance. A worthy schwarzbier!
Aug 23, 2020
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
by DaveMaciolek21 from New Jersey
A deep-flavored rauchbier. Smoky, but not excessively, balanced with chocolate flavor. The depth of flavor is really impressive--smoke, roast and sweetness in a very fine balance. A worthy schwarzbier!
Aug 23, 2020
4.4 by jera1350 from Minnesota on Aug 16, 2020
4.1/5 rDev +4.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by HoppingMadMonk from New Jersey
Medium light carbonation, with a just above average body with a slight creamy thick feel.
Aroma is wood,earthy, smoke, char,roasted malt and molasses.
Taste is smoke, burnt wood roasted malt
Excellent deep rich flavorful. Heavy on the smoke without coming off like smoked meat.
This was another excellent offering from Jack's abby
Aug 13, 2020
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by HoppingMadMonk from New Jersey
Medium light carbonation, with a just above average body with a slight creamy thick feel.
Aroma is wood,earthy, smoke, char,roasted malt and molasses.
Taste is smoke, burnt wood roasted malt
Excellent deep rich flavorful. Heavy on the smoke without coming off like smoked meat.
This was another excellent offering from Jack's abby
Aug 13, 2020
3.49/5 rDev -11.2%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
by Captain69 from Illinois
great smoky taste , slightly strong
Aug 03, 2020
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
by Captain69 from Illinois
great smoky taste , slightly strong
Aug 03, 2020
3.99/5 rDev +1.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
by MikeWard from Pennsylvania
16oz can into a pint glass. Canned 4/13/20, so 3 months old.
Nice looking beer. Looks black/brown, but shows deep burgundy when held up to the light. Small pale tan head dissipates to a thick ring and solid covering.
Smokey, malty and hammy on the nose.
On tasting it's quite sweet, with a nice smokiness. But the dominant flavor that comes to mind is of a liquid smoked Virginia ham. Me like. Roasted malt and a little gritty.
Mouth just about medium. Finish smoky ham and roasted malt right at the end. Oddly watery at the finish too.
Overall, another of those readily available beers that has eluded me for years. It's a good and tasty beer for once in a while consumption. But not a steady diet.
Jul 18, 2020
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
by MikeWard from Pennsylvania
16oz can into a pint glass. Canned 4/13/20, so 3 months old.
Nice looking beer. Looks black/brown, but shows deep burgundy when held up to the light. Small pale tan head dissipates to a thick ring and solid covering.
Smokey, malty and hammy on the nose.
On tasting it's quite sweet, with a nice smokiness. But the dominant flavor that comes to mind is of a liquid smoked Virginia ham. Me like. Roasted malt and a little gritty.
Mouth just about medium. Finish smoky ham and roasted malt right at the end. Oddly watery at the finish too.
Overall, another of those readily available beers that has eluded me for years. It's a good and tasty beer for once in a while consumption. But not a steady diet.
Jul 18, 2020
4.42 by Corkykab from New Jersey on Jun 24, 2020
4/5 rDev +1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by mikeg67 from New Jersey
16 oz can. Pours dark brown with tall, long-lasting, fluffy beige head and nice lacing. Aroma is of smoke, toasted malt, and noble hops. Body is medium and smooth. Taste is of smoked wood, grassy hops and toasted malt. Finish is medium and smoky. Nice brew.
May 18, 2020
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by mikeg67 from New Jersey
16 oz can. Pours dark brown with tall, long-lasting, fluffy beige head and nice lacing. Aroma is of smoke, toasted malt, and noble hops. Body is medium and smooth. Taste is of smoked wood, grassy hops and toasted malt. Finish is medium and smoky. Nice brew.
May 18, 2020
3.99/5 rDev +1.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by FBarber from Illinois
Pours a dark brownish black color. Completely opaque and pretty shiny. Thin off-white head dissipates pretty quickly leaving no residual head.
Aroma has notes of smoked malts, smoked bacon, hints of cocoa and malts. The smoke is really dominant on the nose here.
Taste follows the nose with a strong presence of smoked malts, smoked ham and grainy malts. Some light chocolate malts come through towards the middle through the back end of the flavor. Light earthy, spicy hops are present on the back end.
Feel is medium bodied with mild carbonation. Pretty dry finish.
Overall a lovely beer and definitely a must try.
Apr 24, 2020
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by FBarber from Illinois
Pours a dark brownish black color. Completely opaque and pretty shiny. Thin off-white head dissipates pretty quickly leaving no residual head.
Aroma has notes of smoked malts, smoked bacon, hints of cocoa and malts. The smoke is really dominant on the nose here.
Taste follows the nose with a strong presence of smoked malts, smoked ham and grainy malts. Some light chocolate malts come through towards the middle through the back end of the flavor. Light earthy, spicy hops are present on the back end.
Feel is medium bodied with mild carbonation. Pretty dry finish.
Overall a lovely beer and definitely a must try.
Apr 24, 2020
4.14/5 rDev +5.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
by Bluecrow from New York
-ebony can pour with a tall tan foam cap. The aroma is of toasted malt with some char.
The flavor is primarily of toasted malts an some wood smoke (not too much) with a hint of caramel or dark maple syrup in the finish. This is somewhat slick and light-bodied, not a normative combination. This will be enjoyed by anyone who welcomes the style.
Mar 21, 2020
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
by Bluecrow from New York
-ebony can pour with a tall tan foam cap. The aroma is of toasted malt with some char.
The flavor is primarily of toasted malts an some wood smoke (not too much) with a hint of caramel or dark maple syrup in the finish. This is somewhat slick and light-bodied, not a normative combination. This will be enjoyed by anyone who welcomes the style.
Mar 21, 2020
3.68 by EMH73 from New York on Mar 01, 2020
3.96 by Beerjawn8 from New Jersey on Feb 09, 2020
4.16/5 rDev +5.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by Rug from Massachusetts
Canned 3/6/19
Very deep brown in the glass with a finger and a half of tan head that leaves nice lacing
The nose is sweet malt with subtle smoke. I'm picking up breadniess, maple, and fresh burning wood
Damn is this stuff smooth, a nice light, lager-y taste with sweet malt and the subtle smokiness leading way to mild bitterness
The feel is lighter than I expected, only a little sticky at the end of the sip
Overall this brew is very unique and well worth the $1.99 single. I'd have to imagine this would be great on tap, I might have to make a trip up to Framingham soon. All flavors and aromas mingle very well to create an easier drinking beer than I expected, I can't wait to have this again
Nov 20, 2019
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by Rug from Massachusetts
Canned 3/6/19
Very deep brown in the glass with a finger and a half of tan head that leaves nice lacing
The nose is sweet malt with subtle smoke. I'm picking up breadniess, maple, and fresh burning wood
Damn is this stuff smooth, a nice light, lager-y taste with sweet malt and the subtle smokiness leading way to mild bitterness
The feel is lighter than I expected, only a little sticky at the end of the sip
Overall this brew is very unique and well worth the $1.99 single. I'd have to imagine this would be great on tap, I might have to make a trip up to Framingham soon. All flavors and aromas mingle very well to create an easier drinking beer than I expected, I can't wait to have this again
Nov 20, 2019
4 by kuhndog from New York on Nov 04, 2019
3.98 by Jonnybgood from Massachusetts on Oct 09, 2019
3.75 by Elicoleman from Colorado on Sep 30, 2019
4.45 by Mcb99d from Massachusetts on Sep 14, 2019
4.2 by BirdsandHops from Oregon on Sep 01, 2019
4.41 by Vylo from New Jersey on Jul 26, 2019
4.25/5 rDev +8.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
by Act25 from New Jersey
Like Jack's and smoke beers - so had me at first whiff.
s) And what a whiff! Wood fire, charcoal, malt, chocolate, cocoa, grass, fall earth.
a) Over a brown-black body, that keeps a tan cap and laces dots.
t) "smoky chocolate" as a BA-er wrote Layers of wood fire, peat, coffee, chocolate, cocoa, irish whiskey - much more going on in a 5.8% ABV makes for taste heaven. Finishes clean with grass and wood hops and peppercorn at the camp fire.
f) creamy but drying in finale
o) 4.25 across the board. Winner.
Jul 07, 2019
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
by Act25 from New Jersey
Like Jack's and smoke beers - so had me at first whiff.
s) And what a whiff! Wood fire, charcoal, malt, chocolate, cocoa, grass, fall earth.
a) Over a brown-black body, that keeps a tan cap and laces dots.
t) "smoky chocolate" as a BA-er wrote Layers of wood fire, peat, coffee, chocolate, cocoa, irish whiskey - much more going on in a 5.8% ABV makes for taste heaven. Finishes clean with grass and wood hops and peppercorn at the camp fire.
f) creamy but drying in finale
o) 4.25 across the board. Winner.
Jul 07, 2019
4.48 by pgsteelers14 from Massachusetts on Jul 03, 2019
Smoke & Dagger from Jack's Abby Brewing
Beer rating:
88 out of
100 with
1139 ratings