Last Match
Bert's Brewing

i like the use of cherrywood smoked malt here, and i think the base helles is solid. smoked beer continues to be polarizing for people, but its a style i love and they did a nice job with this, very smoke forward but also very drinkable, which isnt always the case, high refinement here, good enough to have come from the old world frankly, they should be proud of this. light honey colored yellow, very bright, and holding nearly an inch of large bubbled white head on top, very radiant, looks awesome, i also love pretty much all their glassware in here, shoutout for that. the aroma is all smoke at first, fruit wood evident, hints of raisin and light spice in it, campfire intensity, but some sweetness from the malt behind it, german and biscuity, faintly floral, still some hops on the back end of this too, lots of minerality, a leather note, takes a second to sort of be able to get past the smoke and appreciate it all, lager yeast also a factor in the nose. the flavor is similar in that it takes a few drinks to get to the depth of this, but it actually had great balance despite the up front smoke hit, bready with the malt and the yeast together, european to me, without bitterness or acrid character to the smoke at all, and its not forever on the palate as some of these are, cleaner, even with a bit of sweetness left. its soft and bubbly at the same time, i get a hint of golden raisin before the finish, cozy and hearty for a pale lager, and it warms up really well. recommended.

Draft at Bert's. Bright, golden pour, wispy head. Light smoky aroma, sweet, grainy. Taste is bready, grainy, full with a smoky edge at the finish. Very subtle