Grobe Teufel (Lichtenhainer Ale)
Hardywood Park Craft Brewery

 

Poured from the bottle into a wheat ale glass.

Very nice body color, a dark lemon and almost brass colored appearance, even some light tan and chestnut brown hues along the sides with plentiful amounts of carbonation. Head is classic bleach white, and just a little more retention than expected. Does dissolve to a thin collar. Real nice looking brew.

Good sensing smoked malts, and mild sensing balance of tartness. Hints a little more towards lemon but keeps the smoke at least still existent. Smoked malts get into a bit of fatty and umami richness of bacon just so slightly. Pretty good solid balance going.

Palate sets things nicely. Tart hits of lemon with a good solid chewy palate in the middle, almost gets into a zesty twang as well. Aftertaste manages more classic Berliner character with playful carbonation, but far less smoke and richness than anticipated. Slight waffing of smoke on the finish, non-ashy, but missing a good deal of meat and punch.

This is very good take on a Lichtenhainer, but it hits more towards classic fruit tartness of a berliner than giving up the rich smoke and big malt depth I was anticipating. Decent brew either way and tasty.

 

This beer is Hardywood's "take on the once nearly extinct Lichtenhainer - an Eastern German ale that strikes an exceptional balance between its smoked barley base and lactic acid tarteness." A well done beer!