Irish Bear
Valley Craft Ales

This one pours a deep brown with very little head formation and lacing. Nose off the bat is roasted malt, roasted barley, earthy hop, some mineral and metallic notes. As it warms, there's a smoked flavor that is pretty reminiscent of a rauchbier. Taste follows - there's a pretty savory flavor to this, with some smoke, smoked meat, deep roast, and very little sweetness. Feel is a bit on the heavy side, and the ABV clocks in pretty high for the style. If this were marketed as a smoke bier, I'd say call it a subtle take on the style. As an Irish Dry, however, it fails to hit any of the flavor notes I associate with the style and instead gives me something completely different.