Charkoota Rye | New Holland Brewing Company
Brewed by:
New Holland Brewing Company
Michigan, United States | website
Style: Smoked Beer
Alcohol by volume (ABV): 7.79%
Availability: Fall
Notes / Commercial Description:
Charkoota Rye - Smoked Doppelbock Lager
Charkoota Rye is a Smoked Rye Dopplebock. Charkoota Rye's malty backbone is derived from a blend of rye and four other malts, including malted barley smoked over cherry wood by our very own brewers, John and Jeff.
Its smoke-forward body is balanced with tones of deep mollasses and caramel, with a crisp, clean lager finish.
19° Plato, Alc. 7.75% by Vol.
Added by Deuane on 01-04-2009
View: Beers | Place Reviews | Events
Reviews: 131 | Ratings: 238
3.79/5 rDev +4.7%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
22oz bottle into Portsmouth snifter. Big thanks to jbck109 for this one.
A: Pours a super dark woody brown with a thin light brown head that quickly faded into a fuzzy film that left no lace.
S: Sweet notes of barbequed meat almost like a honey glazed ham or smoked pork ribs. I get a whiff of some kind of sweeter dark fruit-like notes as well. I’d be lying if I said this doesn’t make my mouth water for some meat.
T: Smoke flavor comes through nicely over the sweet and malty doppelbock base. I get flavors of barbeque, burning wood, dried dates, raisins, a touch of molasses and maybe even a bit of apple. The finish is sweet and the rye shines through along with the smoke in the aftertaste.
M: Fizzy carbonation that really bubbles up on my palate to an almost distracting extent. The carbonation is very fine though so at least it doesn’t feel like drinking soda. The body is robust enough and the mouthfeel is slick, viscous, and a bit sharp. I can detect the alcohol in the finish but it is a mild warmth.
O: I thought there was a perfect amount of smoke to this beer; not overly smoky at all. The carbonation could have been toned down a smidge, but overall this is was a very enjoyable beer. Thanks for the bottle, Jay.
★ 1,240 characters
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
22oz bottle into Portsmouth snifter. Big thanks to jbck109 for this one.
A: Pours a super dark woody brown with a thin light brown head that quickly faded into a fuzzy film that left no lace.
S: Sweet notes of barbequed meat almost like a honey glazed ham or smoked pork ribs. I get a whiff of some kind of sweeter dark fruit-like notes as well. I’d be lying if I said this doesn’t make my mouth water for some meat.
T: Smoke flavor comes through nicely over the sweet and malty doppelbock base. I get flavors of barbeque, burning wood, dried dates, raisins, a touch of molasses and maybe even a bit of apple. The finish is sweet and the rye shines through along with the smoke in the aftertaste.
M: Fizzy carbonation that really bubbles up on my palate to an almost distracting extent. The carbonation is very fine though so at least it doesn’t feel like drinking soda. The body is robust enough and the mouthfeel is slick, viscous, and a bit sharp. I can detect the alcohol in the finish but it is a mild warmth.
O: I thought there was a perfect amount of smoke to this beer; not overly smoky at all. The carbonation could have been toned down a smidge, but overall this is was a very enjoyable beer. Thanks for the bottle, Jay.
★ 1,240 characters
3.29/5 rDev -9.1%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3
I had this on-tap at the brewpub during our Michigan trip in September. I just found the notes I took now. Served in a goblet.
Appearance: Pours a dark mahogany color with almost not head.
Smell: Smoked malt is accompanied by sweet dark fruit. There is a mild spiciness to this beer from the rye.
Taste: Very similar to the smell. Smokey and sweet from the malt. Dark fruit notes with a mildly bitter finish. I'm not in love with the aftertaste.
Mouthfeel: Medium body and a bit sticky. The carbonation level is mild with a dry finish.
Overall: I thought this beer was quite good at first, but it got harder to drink as I made my way through the pour. There was a slightly weird aftertaste that I wasn't a huge fan of.
★ 723 characters
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3
I had this on-tap at the brewpub during our Michigan trip in September. I just found the notes I took now. Served in a goblet.
Appearance: Pours a dark mahogany color with almost not head.
Smell: Smoked malt is accompanied by sweet dark fruit. There is a mild spiciness to this beer from the rye.
Taste: Very similar to the smell. Smokey and sweet from the malt. Dark fruit notes with a mildly bitter finish. I'm not in love with the aftertaste.
Mouthfeel: Medium body and a bit sticky. The carbonation level is mild with a dry finish.
Overall: I thought this beer was quite good at first, but it got harder to drink as I made my way through the pour. There was a slightly weird aftertaste that I wasn't a huge fan of.
★ 723 characters
2.49/5 rDev -31.2%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 2
Pours a thick dark red/brown with a finger tan head that leaves sticky lacing down the glass.
Smells like bacon was my first thought. Really malty and smoky aroma. Desirable smells while cooking breakfast, but not for my beer.
Follows the nose. Tons of smokiness and a very malty backbone. Glad I split this, as there is no way I could take down the whole bottle. Not really my cup of tea, but so intense that any more than a few ounces is overpowering.
Nice and sticky. Good carbonation levels.
Not for me. The smoke flavor is way too intensified, making more than a few ounces impossible.
★ 594 characters
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 2
Pours a thick dark red/brown with a finger tan head that leaves sticky lacing down the glass.
Smells like bacon was my first thought. Really malty and smoky aroma. Desirable smells while cooking breakfast, but not for my beer.
Follows the nose. Tons of smokiness and a very malty backbone. Glad I split this, as there is no way I could take down the whole bottle. Not really my cup of tea, but so intense that any more than a few ounces is overpowering.
Nice and sticky. Good carbonation levels.
Not for me. The smoke flavor is way too intensified, making more than a few ounces impossible.
★ 594 characters
4.37/5 rDev +20.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
Thanks to chixdighops for hooking this bottle up in the Good People Farm System BIF.
A - Poured a dark mahogany color with a thin tan head that leaves some spotty lacing
S - Is of a nice campfire char smoke
T - like the smell lots of wonderful campfire smoked malt flavor
M - This beer has a fuller body with medium carbonation to it
O - I'm really liking this beer the flavor is wonderful and keeps me coming back for more if you like smoked beers this is one to get your hands on
★ 487 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
Thanks to chixdighops for hooking this bottle up in the Good People Farm System BIF.
A - Poured a dark mahogany color with a thin tan head that leaves some spotty lacing
S - Is of a nice campfire char smoke
T - like the smell lots of wonderful campfire smoked malt flavor
M - This beer has a fuller body with medium carbonation to it
O - I'm really liking this beer the flavor is wonderful and keeps me coming back for more if you like smoked beers this is one to get your hands on
★ 487 characters
4.08/5 rDev +12.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
A - Dark brown in color with a sticky caramel colored frothy head.
S - A big facefull of smoke. Very intense smokyness with hints of malty richness.
T - Rich malt flavor with this intense smokyness. Also has hints of woodyness and a creamy/milky flavor.
M - Medium bodied with a very smooth creamy texture.
O - A pretty awesome rauchbier err dopplebock or whatever category this beer falls under. It is pretty tasty.
★ 420 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
A - Dark brown in color with a sticky caramel colored frothy head.
S - A big facefull of smoke. Very intense smokyness with hints of malty richness.
T - Rich malt flavor with this intense smokyness. Also has hints of woodyness and a creamy/milky flavor.
M - Medium bodied with a very smooth creamy texture.
O - A pretty awesome rauchbier err dopplebock or whatever category this beer falls under. It is pretty tasty.
★ 420 characters
3.06/5 rDev -15.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
pours a dark amber with a finger of head.
smell is very overpowering. smoke and specifically pork smoke. interesting but maybe more desirable on meat.
taste is very sweet with strong smoke flavors as well.
mouth is thick with low carbonation.
drinkability is not great. weird and bacony. i like my beer and bacon separate.
★ 326 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
pours a dark amber with a finger of head.
smell is very overpowering. smoke and specifically pork smoke. interesting but maybe more desirable on meat.
taste is very sweet with strong smoke flavors as well.
mouth is thick with low carbonation.
drinkability is not great. weird and bacony. i like my beer and bacon separate.
★ 326 characters
4.39/5 rDev +21.3%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Charkoota Rye is a really nice surprise. Rich black lager malt and lager yeast made new and exciting with a milky richness and sweet smokiness that is well-balanced. A welcome change and nice surprise: an extreme beer that is flavorful, rich, and drinkable.
Would be great with smoked meats or BBQ. Really complex and spicy finish: not sure which flavors to concentrate on! The rich chocolate malts? Smoke and rich earthiness? The subtle saltiness? The rich mouthfeel, almost like milk? Or the long drying finish that makes me wonder what I was drinking?
Finished like an APA or even IPA. Smoke was present but not overpowering, and while it went well with the spicy meaty pizza, I would really like to try it with real slow-smoked BBQ. This is a new batch on tap, and I'm really aching to pop open the 2010 vintage bottles found at RePete's Party Store in Holland, MI.
★ 872 characters
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Charkoota Rye is a really nice surprise. Rich black lager malt and lager yeast made new and exciting with a milky richness and sweet smokiness that is well-balanced. A welcome change and nice surprise: an extreme beer that is flavorful, rich, and drinkable.
Would be great with smoked meats or BBQ. Really complex and spicy finish: not sure which flavors to concentrate on! The rich chocolate malts? Smoke and rich earthiness? The subtle saltiness? The rich mouthfeel, almost like milk? Or the long drying finish that makes me wonder what I was drinking?
Finished like an APA or even IPA. Smoke was present but not overpowering, and while it went well with the spicy meaty pizza, I would really like to try it with real slow-smoked BBQ. This is a new batch on tap, and I'm really aching to pop open the 2010 vintage bottles found at RePete's Party Store in Holland, MI.
★ 872 characters
1.42/5 rDev -60.8%
look: 4 | smell: 2 | taste: 1 | feel: 1 | overall: 1
With the exception of accidental ingestion of pig manure from my days growing up on the farm, this is the worse thing to EVER touch my tongue.
Flying Pig on the bottle...coincidence? I thinks not!
It looked like a good brew. That nice dark red hue through the glass with a decent head.
It smelled like last night's campfire.
Tasted like last night's campfire too!
★ 367 characters
look: 4 | smell: 2 | taste: 1 | feel: 1 | overall: 1
With the exception of accidental ingestion of pig manure from my days growing up on the farm, this is the worse thing to EVER touch my tongue.
Flying Pig on the bottle...coincidence? I thinks not!
It looked like a good brew. That nice dark red hue through the glass with a decent head.
It smelled like last night's campfire.
Tasted like last night's campfire too!
★ 367 characters
3.55/5 rDev -1.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
New Holland Charkoota Rye
Pours a deep brown color, off white head forms and leaves wispy lace. Aroma is malty, peaty, and somewhat sweet smelling with mild campfire suggestions. The flavor follows the nose to a point, with brown sugar, caramel, munich malts, molasses and a touch of smoke. I did not find the smoke to be overbearing, it melded nicely with the rye notes. Smooth and almost creamy, a well made lager that I would definately have again. Would be a great candidate to marinate pork as well.
★ 505 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
New Holland Charkoota Rye
Pours a deep brown color, off white head forms and leaves wispy lace. Aroma is malty, peaty, and somewhat sweet smelling with mild campfire suggestions. The flavor follows the nose to a point, with brown sugar, caramel, munich malts, molasses and a touch of smoke. I did not find the smoke to be overbearing, it melded nicely with the rye notes. Smooth and almost creamy, a well made lager that I would definately have again. Would be a great candidate to marinate pork as well.
★ 505 characters
4.17/5 rDev +15.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
I sampled this beer on tap at New Holland on 08/13/2011. The color was a rusty copper with a slight head. The smoke in the aroma was very apparent but not overpowering. I believe the key to a good smoked beer is for the flavor to not be sensely murdered by saltiness as is the case in Three Floyds Ham & Rye. The other problem with smoke beers is not enough flavor. This beer is well balanced. It has a nice smoke taste without being overly salty. It goes down very smooth. Unlikely a number of smoke beers, you can drink more than a sample without becoming bored. The aftertaste stays on the tongue for a while, but is able to go with a meal and not kill the flavor of the meal. It is certainly among the more balanced smoke beers.
★ 732 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
I sampled this beer on tap at New Holland on 08/13/2011. The color was a rusty copper with a slight head. The smoke in the aroma was very apparent but not overpowering. I believe the key to a good smoked beer is for the flavor to not be sensely murdered by saltiness as is the case in Three Floyds Ham & Rye. The other problem with smoke beers is not enough flavor. This beer is well balanced. It has a nice smoke taste without being overly salty. It goes down very smooth. Unlikely a number of smoke beers, you can drink more than a sample without becoming bored. The aftertaste stays on the tongue for a while, but is able to go with a meal and not kill the flavor of the meal. It is certainly among the more balanced smoke beers.
★ 732 characters
4.62/5 rDev +27.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Had on tap @ NH.
I've not had very many smoked beers - perhaps half a dozen, counting this one. Most of them don't bring much smoke flavor.
This one sure as heck does. Wow. Aroma and taste are essentially pure smoke, with the Bocky-notes way, way in the background.
It's put forth as a smoked beer, and it brings it - thus I'm rating it very high.
★ 350 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Had on tap @ NH.
I've not had very many smoked beers - perhaps half a dozen, counting this one. Most of them don't bring much smoke flavor.
This one sure as heck does. Wow. Aroma and taste are essentially pure smoke, with the Bocky-notes way, way in the background.
It's put forth as a smoked beer, and it brings it - thus I'm rating it very high.
★ 350 characters
2.58/5 rDev -28.7%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5
2010 Vintage on the bottle. This one poured with very little head and there was just lacing that stuck around the edge. Aroma is smoky but subtle and there is something else in there that is almost metallic.
The taste of sweet malts with just a little smoke. The finish on this thing is nothing other than odd. After each sip I have flashbacks of the nitro gas mask and being told to breathe right before passing out for wisdom teeth surgery. It has that full mouth tingle and taste just about the same. Good news is there is a light almost bacon aftertaste that lingers on your lips and that I tasted about 3 mins later but other than that is a bit off.
Maybe this is served a bit to cold but no notes on the bottle as far as rec. temp. Just removed from fridge and let set for about 10 min before opening. There is nothing that really steps forward for me. Even after reading the label again I can't figure this out. Very interesting but not something I would like again.
★ 977 characters
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5
2010 Vintage on the bottle. This one poured with very little head and there was just lacing that stuck around the edge. Aroma is smoky but subtle and there is something else in there that is almost metallic.
The taste of sweet malts with just a little smoke. The finish on this thing is nothing other than odd. After each sip I have flashbacks of the nitro gas mask and being told to breathe right before passing out for wisdom teeth surgery. It has that full mouth tingle and taste just about the same. Good news is there is a light almost bacon aftertaste that lingers on your lips and that I tasted about 3 mins later but other than that is a bit off.
Maybe this is served a bit to cold but no notes on the bottle as far as rec. temp. Just removed from fridge and let set for about 10 min before opening. There is nothing that really steps forward for me. Even after reading the label again I can't figure this out. Very interesting but not something I would like again.
★ 977 characters
4.2/5 rDev +16%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
A bottle in the exhibitor's lounge at Mondial. Pours a ruddy brown with a finger of tan/eggshell head. Nose reveals a hickory smoke backed with earthy malts and a bready sweetness.
Quite a hefty body and sweetness to balance a deft hand on the smoke. Somewhere between campfire char and hickory smoked bacon, caramel and bready malts which border on syrupy but hold the smoke in check, earthy and slightly spicy rye, molasses, dark fruits, light drying finish. I'm not often a huge fan of smoke beers but this one is done well, they rye gives a nice complexity and the body is hefty enough to balance.
★ 602 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
A bottle in the exhibitor's lounge at Mondial. Pours a ruddy brown with a finger of tan/eggshell head. Nose reveals a hickory smoke backed with earthy malts and a bready sweetness.
Quite a hefty body and sweetness to balance a deft hand on the smoke. Somewhere between campfire char and hickory smoked bacon, caramel and bready malts which border on syrupy but hold the smoke in check, earthy and slightly spicy rye, molasses, dark fruits, light drying finish. I'm not often a huge fan of smoke beers but this one is done well, they rye gives a nice complexity and the body is hefty enough to balance.
★ 602 characters
4.09/5 rDev +13%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Charkoota Rye is a Smoked Rye Dopplebock, brewed with a blend of rye and four other malts, including malted barley smoked over cherry wood.
19° Plato, Alc. 7.75% by Vol. $7.99 for a 22oz bottle at Bevco.
Pours out to a clear very dark mahogany with burnished red edges, forming a small light tan head with OK retention and sparse lacing. Mildly carbonated. The aroma is really nice with plenty of forward smoke on top of a nice malt base, with the smoke pretty much covering any other aromas. Clean nose. The mouthfeel is smooth and silky with a dense body. The taste is really great. A malt forward thick syrupy dopplebock melded with rich smoke. Very mild bitterness...could stand to use a touch more to balance it and bring it all together as it stands, it is very syrupy and sweet.
This is a good beer, but I prefer the Aecht Schlenkerla urbock, which is more balanced compared to this. I don't pick up on any Rye at all.
★ 929 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Charkoota Rye is a Smoked Rye Dopplebock, brewed with a blend of rye and four other malts, including malted barley smoked over cherry wood.
19° Plato, Alc. 7.75% by Vol. $7.99 for a 22oz bottle at Bevco.
Pours out to a clear very dark mahogany with burnished red edges, forming a small light tan head with OK retention and sparse lacing. Mildly carbonated. The aroma is really nice with plenty of forward smoke on top of a nice malt base, with the smoke pretty much covering any other aromas. Clean nose. The mouthfeel is smooth and silky with a dense body. The taste is really great. A malt forward thick syrupy dopplebock melded with rich smoke. Very mild bitterness...could stand to use a touch more to balance it and bring it all together as it stands, it is very syrupy and sweet.
This is a good beer, but I prefer the Aecht Schlenkerla urbock, which is more balanced compared to this. I don't pick up on any Rye at all.
★ 929 characters
3.19/5 rDev -11.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3
Poured out of the tap into a medium sized snifter at Meridian Pint DC.
An absolute almost jet black, midnight black body, very dark with a small tiny off tan head that is quite small and disappears slowly. As the drink finishes, the body gives off a wonderful nice red hue along the edges. Very nice looking.
First smell is a mild smokey sensation but completely taken over by a medicinal novocaine. After a little while there's some hints at meaty jerky salts, but the novocaine takes over and the smell is virtually numbing.
Taste at first brings what is expected on the nose, but there is a good bit of sweetness too. Chewing tobacco like properties but then again it gives way and is taken over by that medicinal novocaine sensation. Palate numbing with some milk chocolate on the finish, but after many sips all I can taste is medicine and a dental lab.
Knock off that medicinal bent on this and the drink will sing, but otherwise it has a glaring fault.
★ 964 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3
Poured out of the tap into a medium sized snifter at Meridian Pint DC.
An absolute almost jet black, midnight black body, very dark with a small tiny off tan head that is quite small and disappears slowly. As the drink finishes, the body gives off a wonderful nice red hue along the edges. Very nice looking.
First smell is a mild smokey sensation but completely taken over by a medicinal novocaine. After a little while there's some hints at meaty jerky salts, but the novocaine takes over and the smell is virtually numbing.
Taste at first brings what is expected on the nose, but there is a good bit of sweetness too. Chewing tobacco like properties but then again it gives way and is taken over by that medicinal novocaine sensation. Palate numbing with some milk chocolate on the finish, but after many sips all I can taste is medicine and a dental lab.
Knock off that medicinal bent on this and the drink will sing, but otherwise it has a glaring fault.
★ 964 characters
3.77/5 rDev +4.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
A: The beer is clear dark amber in color and poured with a thin beige head that quickly faded away, leaving a ring of bubbles around the edge of the glass.
S: There are strong aromas of smoke in the nose.
T: Like the smell, the taste is filled with smoky flavors and has some hints of spices from the rye in the finish.
M: It feels medium-bodied and a bit thin and watery on the palate with a light amount of carbonation.
O: The beer goes down rather smoothly and isn’t that difficult to drink because the smokiness is not overpowering.
★ 538 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
A: The beer is clear dark amber in color and poured with a thin beige head that quickly faded away, leaving a ring of bubbles around the edge of the glass.
S: There are strong aromas of smoke in the nose.
T: Like the smell, the taste is filled with smoky flavors and has some hints of spices from the rye in the finish.
M: It feels medium-bodied and a bit thin and watery on the palate with a light amount of carbonation.
O: The beer goes down rather smoothly and isn’t that difficult to drink because the smokiness is not overpowering.
★ 538 characters
3.68/5 rDev +1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Bottle courtesy of rmalinowski4. Served in a tulip.
Pours a very, very dark brown with a bit of a mahogany tint to it. Two-finger tan head forms but then dies down pretty quickly. Good partial cap with quite a few bubbles. The nose brings a slight amount of roasted malt along with a good dosing of smoke. Not as much smoked meat; more toward the bonfire end of the spectrum. Some charred wood there. Flavor has a good smoke presence along with a bit of bacon. Moderate roast as well. Medium body with a dry smokey character. Moderate carbonation. Interesting brew; glad to try this.
★ 584 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Bottle courtesy of rmalinowski4. Served in a tulip.
Pours a very, very dark brown with a bit of a mahogany tint to it. Two-finger tan head forms but then dies down pretty quickly. Good partial cap with quite a few bubbles. The nose brings a slight amount of roasted malt along with a good dosing of smoke. Not as much smoked meat; more toward the bonfire end of the spectrum. Some charred wood there. Flavor has a good smoke presence along with a bit of bacon. Moderate roast as well. Medium body with a dry smokey character. Moderate carbonation. Interesting brew; glad to try this.
★ 584 characters
3.47/5 rDev -4.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
2010 Vintage, poured on 5-4-11 into my DFH snifter. dark brown/black but transparent, practically no head and no visual carbonation. I think this one is past its prime but here I proceed...I will review again if I have the chance to get a fresh bottle in the future.
Smell- peaty smoke reminiscent of a smokey scotch. some sweet bready malts, some caramel flavors.
Taste- a woody front taste, followed by a smokey sweet flavor, finished by some bitterness.
Mouthfeel- this is really lacking carbonation.
Drinkability- although interesting, I don't see searching this out again.
★ 585 characters
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
2010 Vintage, poured on 5-4-11 into my DFH snifter. dark brown/black but transparent, practically no head and no visual carbonation. I think this one is past its prime but here I proceed...I will review again if I have the chance to get a fresh bottle in the future.
Smell- peaty smoke reminiscent of a smokey scotch. some sweet bready malts, some caramel flavors.
Taste- a woody front taste, followed by a smokey sweet flavor, finished by some bitterness.
Mouthfeel- this is really lacking carbonation.
Drinkability- although interesting, I don't see searching this out again.
★ 585 characters
3.46/5 rDev -4.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Thanks to nanobrew for sharing this one.
A: The pour is a dark amber color with a short lived off-white head.
S: Very smokey aroma with a fairly evident rye smell. A light fruitiness hiding in the background with some roasted malts and a little bit of a salty character. Some charred wood in addition to the smoke.
T: Lots of smoke and burnt wood flavor. Slightly salty and meaty with the same light fruit character. There is a bit of rye along with some toasted bread and roast.
M: Medium in body with a moderate level of carbonation.
O: Perhaps a bit too much smoke and not really very balanced.
★ 602 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Thanks to nanobrew for sharing this one.
A: The pour is a dark amber color with a short lived off-white head.
S: Very smokey aroma with a fairly evident rye smell. A light fruitiness hiding in the background with some roasted malts and a little bit of a salty character. Some charred wood in addition to the smoke.
T: Lots of smoke and burnt wood flavor. Slightly salty and meaty with the same light fruit character. There is a bit of rye along with some toasted bread and roast.
M: Medium in body with a moderate level of carbonation.
O: Perhaps a bit too much smoke and not really very balanced.
★ 602 characters
4.15/5 rDev +14.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Super deep blackened blood maroon tone in color. A light sandy brown soft and fluffy foam grows up to a thick finger high. The cap floats off shortly, leaving a thin ring and a few blobby strings of lacing flung about.
Fat smokey maple soaked bacon on the nose. Tangy molasses seeps within with a slightly sweet BBQ sauceyness to it. One hell of an appetizing aroma! You'd swear someone was mesquite grilling some bacon in your glass.
Taste is more set in its Doppelbock center with the smokey bacon sitting just around the edges as more of a duller raisin, smoother date, softened caramel, and lighter molasses sets the overall taste. Smooth and steady malt tones thoughout. Finish is clean and touched well with the sweetness of tangy BBQ sauce, applewood, and a bit of dark orange oil.
Smooth and easy going cleaner medium body with a slight pick up in malty girth in tone, a hike in flavor and body as it settles very evenly after each swallow. Builds a nice subtle smokey sweet touch as it literally smokes its way through to the finish.
A pretty solid brew that has the distinct smokey character of how smoke would really act. It just finds its way around the edges and builds lightly to fill the center of the palate. Fans of Smoked beers will most likely enjoy this balanced Doppelbock take of the style by New Holland. I know I did.
★ 1,345 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Super deep blackened blood maroon tone in color. A light sandy brown soft and fluffy foam grows up to a thick finger high. The cap floats off shortly, leaving a thin ring and a few blobby strings of lacing flung about.
Fat smokey maple soaked bacon on the nose. Tangy molasses seeps within with a slightly sweet BBQ sauceyness to it. One hell of an appetizing aroma! You'd swear someone was mesquite grilling some bacon in your glass.
Taste is more set in its Doppelbock center with the smokey bacon sitting just around the edges as more of a duller raisin, smoother date, softened caramel, and lighter molasses sets the overall taste. Smooth and steady malt tones thoughout. Finish is clean and touched well with the sweetness of tangy BBQ sauce, applewood, and a bit of dark orange oil.
Smooth and easy going cleaner medium body with a slight pick up in malty girth in tone, a hike in flavor and body as it settles very evenly after each swallow. Builds a nice subtle smokey sweet touch as it literally smokes its way through to the finish.
A pretty solid brew that has the distinct smokey character of how smoke would really act. It just finds its way around the edges and builds lightly to fill the center of the palate. Fans of Smoked beers will most likely enjoy this balanced Doppelbock take of the style by New Holland. I know I did.
★ 1,345 characters
4.45/5 rDev +22.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Half-finger of orangey head dissipates into minimal lacing over an opaque dark brown body.
Nose is enigmatic, sweet, maybe pear-ish with some wood and some alcohol. This is an incredibly smoky beer, but it doesn't come through on the nose.
Now this is what I think of when I think smoked beer. It's incredibly malty, even peaty, with some well-done charred steak in for good measure. Somehow also tastes rich and creamy. Slight alcohol burn on the finish. It's intense though, more so than any German rauchbier I've tried.
Mouthfeel is nice and creamy, very fine-grain carbonation to break up the super-intense flavor.
This is a go-to for me and one of my favorites. This particular bottle doesn't live up to my memory, but I set the bar pretty high for it. It is indeed super-rich, so I'd recommend sharing this one unless you're super into smoke and malt.
★ 862 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Half-finger of orangey head dissipates into minimal lacing over an opaque dark brown body.
Nose is enigmatic, sweet, maybe pear-ish with some wood and some alcohol. This is an incredibly smoky beer, but it doesn't come through on the nose.
Now this is what I think of when I think smoked beer. It's incredibly malty, even peaty, with some well-done charred steak in for good measure. Somehow also tastes rich and creamy. Slight alcohol burn on the finish. It's intense though, more so than any German rauchbier I've tried.
Mouthfeel is nice and creamy, very fine-grain carbonation to break up the super-intense flavor.
This is a go-to for me and one of my favorites. This particular bottle doesn't live up to my memory, but I set the bar pretty high for it. It is indeed super-rich, so I'd recommend sharing this one unless you're super into smoke and malt.
★ 862 characters
3.53/5 rDev -2.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Appearance -- Pours a rich dark brown with chestnut highlights and a slim sudsy yellow head. Very vibrant head. Looks pretty good.
Smell -- Lots of rich woodsmoke, date sugar, dark fruitiness, mild rye spice and earthy hops. Rich and smoky.
Taste -- Roast malt sweetness takes the form of dates, fig pudding, and light molasses. Woodsmoke is well stated, not too heavy. Paired with the malt sweetness the smoke lends a bacon-like quality to the beer; the rye amplifies this characteristic. Moderate earthy hop bitterness enters in the finish, but really doesn't stand up to the nearly cloying malt sweetness.
Mouthfeel -- Medium to full in body with moderate carbonation. Slightly syrupy, but not bad.
Overall -- Good, but VERY rich. I wouldn't have possibly been able to put away a whole bottle by myself. The interplay of the woodsmoke and malt sweetness was good. I personally enjoyed the level of the smoke, but I can see others finding it too strong.
★ 959 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Appearance -- Pours a rich dark brown with chestnut highlights and a slim sudsy yellow head. Very vibrant head. Looks pretty good.
Smell -- Lots of rich woodsmoke, date sugar, dark fruitiness, mild rye spice and earthy hops. Rich and smoky.
Taste -- Roast malt sweetness takes the form of dates, fig pudding, and light molasses. Woodsmoke is well stated, not too heavy. Paired with the malt sweetness the smoke lends a bacon-like quality to the beer; the rye amplifies this characteristic. Moderate earthy hop bitterness enters in the finish, but really doesn't stand up to the nearly cloying malt sweetness.
Mouthfeel -- Medium to full in body with moderate carbonation. Slightly syrupy, but not bad.
Overall -- Good, but VERY rich. I wouldn't have possibly been able to put away a whole bottle by myself. The interplay of the woodsmoke and malt sweetness was good. I personally enjoyed the level of the smoke, but I can see others finding it too strong.
★ 959 characters
3.97/5 rDev +9.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
A mighty fine smoked beer. Pours dark, with a moderate white head to complement it. Significant smoked aromas, the whole 9 yards of smoke. Above average mouthfeel comes a great with a rolling maltiness, a little rye, a complex array of smoked malt that keeps the interest. Vert drinkable.
★ 288 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
A mighty fine smoked beer. Pours dark, with a moderate white head to complement it. Significant smoked aromas, the whole 9 yards of smoke. Above average mouthfeel comes a great with a rolling maltiness, a little rye, a complex array of smoked malt that keeps the interest. Vert drinkable.
★ 288 characters
3.92/5 rDev +8.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Poured from a 22 oz bottle into a pint glass. Pours a dark brown with very little carbonation or head, other than a thin tan shadow and a ring around the glass.
Smells very smokey, like a camp fire or a barbecue; some maple and molasses notes, and a meaty smell, like bacon or pork. Did I mention smoke?
Taste is not as smokey as the smell, but it is still there. Again, molasses and maple are prominent, with a decent malt backbone. There's a slight tartness, perhaps cherry or grape? As I get further into the beer, that fruity tartness gets sweeter and sweeter. Also, as I get further into the beer, the smoke becomes more prevalent in the taste, as an aroma in the back of the throat, almost up the back of the nose.
Medium to full bodied, with very little bitterness of hop presence.
Decent enough to drink, my only qualm is that I am by myself drinking 22 oz of very smoky beer. I wish I had saved this to share with a friend, because it is probity going to be too much as I get further into the beer.
★ 1,011 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Poured from a 22 oz bottle into a pint glass. Pours a dark brown with very little carbonation or head, other than a thin tan shadow and a ring around the glass.
Smells very smokey, like a camp fire or a barbecue; some maple and molasses notes, and a meaty smell, like bacon or pork. Did I mention smoke?
Taste is not as smokey as the smell, but it is still there. Again, molasses and maple are prominent, with a decent malt backbone. There's a slight tartness, perhaps cherry or grape? As I get further into the beer, that fruity tartness gets sweeter and sweeter. Also, as I get further into the beer, the smoke becomes more prevalent in the taste, as an aroma in the back of the throat, almost up the back of the nose.
Medium to full bodied, with very little bitterness of hop presence.
Decent enough to drink, my only qualm is that I am by myself drinking 22 oz of very smoky beer. I wish I had saved this to share with a friend, because it is probity going to be too much as I get further into the beer.
★ 1,011 characters
Charkoota Rye from New Holland Brewing Company
3.62
out of 5
based on 238 ratings.
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Bottle: Poured a dark brown color beer with a nice thick brown foamy head with good retention and some lacing. Aroma of smoked malt is quite intense with light caramelized notes also noticeable. Taste is dominated by a great malt base with loads of smoke notes with some caramelized notes with light molasses. Body is quite full with good carbonation and no apparent alcohol. This has to be one of the most smoked beer outside of the original German smoked beer.
★ 462 characters