Rauchbier
Bierkeller

 

As the rauchbier approached my hands the senses became quickly aroused with the scent or smokiness. Well, not to surprised but it was so good as to blow my top off. Scott Burgess has done a great job bringing his Bierkeller Columbia this far in one year. My rating is similar for the kellerbier and urhell. And the hefeweiss. It was damn hard to leave after spending a weekend in the bierhall and biergarten. The beer was very fresh and tasted so complete. Down to the last .5L or 1L sip, it tasted as if were just poured.

Okay -- tried to submit this review previously and the system didn't take it... try, try again.

Another treat from Herr Burgess. Poured from the crowler into my tall Becher.

L -- Clear, deep copper-orange with a slow settling off-white head.

S -- Woody smokiness with the slightest of smoke phenol and earthy malts.

T -- Same woody smokiness with some light breadiness and spicy noble hops rounding out a good balance.

F -- Mouthfeel is soft and silky with a clean finish and light-medium body.

O -- Bierkeller brings a Northern Bavarian specialty across the Atlantic. Smoked beer can sound daunting, but when you try the style fresh it's as quaffable as any good beverage ever made -- Bierkeller's take on the style is no exception. If you like Schlenkerla's Märzen or Urbock, you'll love this beer.

Edited to add full review: this is the finest American-made example of rauchbier I've found, and compares well to the best fresh German versions. Flavor clarity and intensity are just about perfectly balanced, making for a supremely drinkable yet fulfilling beer. There's no better match for Columbia barbecue (smoked pork with mustard-based sauce).

 

Pours a gorgeous deep reddish-brown with brilliant clarity and an everlasting off-white head. The aroma is dominated by smoke of a lightly meaty character, cut by rich bready malt sweetness and spicy hops. The spicy hops hit first on the tongue, with medium-low bitterness but prominent spiciness, and a prominent bacony (not greasy) smokiness. The rich malt comes next with a dark toasty breadiness, which gives way to smoke again while the spicy hops return for a semi-dry finish and a perfect circle of flavour.

The intensity is just short of Schlenkerla Marzen, but the quality is right up there. This is one of a handful of perfect beers I've ever had, w/ a clear progression on the palate, satisfying finish, depth, and insane drinkability. Holy smokes!