Smauk
Kemker Kultuur

Pours a cloudy, deep mahogany coloration with an amber hue and a large, frothy head. Smells of smoked, bready malt, chocolate and a distinct, slightly tannic oak presence. Taste is an excellent balance of smoked, bready malt, chocolate, some dark fruit, with notes of plum, and raisin, lighter tart and fruity esters, with notes of red apple and gooseberry, some juniper, a distinct earthy and tannic oak presence, light citric acidity and just a hint of musty funk. Finishes with a light bitterness and medium tartness, with some dark/estery fruit, smoke and oak lingering in the aftertaste. Smooth mouthfeel with a medium body and carbonation.

An excellent smoked sour ale with a great balance of of quite subtle smokiness, medium acidity, subtle funk, some dark and estery fruit and distinct chocolate and oak notes, making for a somewhat unusual, but superbly balanced flavor profile where the earthy, tannic oak presence stands out particularly. This is only the second beer I had from Kemker, with both being excellent though. They really seem to do these coolship-fermented, oak-aged beers very well and I will definitely be on the lookout for more of their stuff.