Whaddya Smokin' Ale
Portsmouth Brewery

This beer poured a dark orange color, with a thin head that slowly receded to the rim during the sample. There was a barely noticable aroma of malt, while the first swallow produced a decent malt level with some slight smokiness. The malt lingered on the tongue while the smoke flavor quickly disappeared, and a slight bitterness appeared as the smokiness left the tongue. This is one of the more drinkable smoked beers I have tried as it does not taste like you have licked an ashtray.

Drinkability in a Rauchbier is tough for me. I thought the Portsmouth Brewery eminently drinkable when compared to the extremely dominant smoke nose and smoke taste of the few brewed-in-America smoked ales that I've tried. I was eating some chili that I had added hot sauce to when I tried it, and the complimentary tastes may have done loads toward my recommendation of this as a gateway smoked beer for those unfamiliar with the style.

I admire the restraint the Portsmouth uses. Simply put, it's not overly smoked. The hop notes are far in the background but still detectable.

My former-server-at-John-Harvard's companion told me of how impossible it had been to move their rauchbier. The whaddya smokin' name tie to illicit drugs should help with some of the marketing in the northern Northeast. Why do you think Stone Coast 420 IPA is so sellable?

I was very excited when I walked into the brewery and saw that they has smoked beer on tap. This brew was pours a rich amber color with a nice creamy head that lasted for a while then reduced to a nice creamy collar, leaving a fine lace behind. The smell of smokiness was not strong at first, but there was a mild hop aroma. This first sip was great, a strong smoked malt flavor along with a light hop flavor made this a very good brew. The smokiness continued for the entire finish. I was very impressed.

Cheers