Croydon Is Burning
Neshaminy Creek Brewing Company

Poured into a standard pint glass: color is brown, a little opaque, head is tan with fine to small bubbles, head presents one finger thick, then dissipates to thin top with lacing on the glass sides.

Smell is beechwood smoke, light acrid smokiness, toasted and light caramel malt, dry earthy hops.

Taste is more beechwood smoke, not as acrid as aroma, toasted and caramel malt with light bread, hops are earthy and more neutral.

Mouthfeel is a little low on the carbonation, moderate sweetness, lower bitterness as it warms with the smokiness not creating any off presence.

Overall a very good smoked lager - smokiness is not overdone and provides more flavor and counters the malt sweetness well.

 

A clear pint glass arrived full, after being drawn off a tap. The color is a pleasing light mahogany-amber, lighter at the fringes. There's practically no head. Smoked and sweet malts dominate the aroma, as they should. The taste is definitely smokey and malty. There's not much hoppiness to notice, but the smokey character compensates very nicely. Lagerlike in its body, still there a very pleasant richness and smoothness within the mouthfeel. Obviously, this is a niche taste that's not for everyone; but, this is nicely done for the style.

 

 

 

 

22 oz bottle purchased at the brewery, no bottle date.

Deep amber/red color with great clarity. An off-white head dies down fairly quickly. No lacing.

Wonderful smoky aroma with some lightly toasted malt in the background. The smokiness is not as assertive as say a Schlenkerla Rauchbier, it's more balanced with the other malts. No hops or yeast present.

The balance in the aroma carries over to the flavor and results in a really enjoyable meaty and woody smokiness. Fully attentuated and properly lagered to create a soft finish. Medium bodied and clean.

This is an awesome Rauchbier! Easily the best version from a US brewery that I have tasted. Glad I got to try this but I'm kicking myself a little bit for not picking up more than one bottle at $5 each. Hopefully NCBC makes more next year. This one is a winner.