Saranac Rauchbier Smoked Lager
Matt Brewing Company / Saranac Brewery

Saranac Rauchbier Smoked LagerSaranac Rauchbier Smoked Lager
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From:
Matt Brewing Company / Saranac Brewery
 
New York, United States
Style:
Rauchbier
ABV:
5.6%
Score:
77
Avg:
3.28 | pDev: 14.02%
Reviews:
60
Ratings:
70
Status:
Retired
Rated:
Oct 22, 2017
Added:
Oct 19, 2006
Wants:
  4
Gots:
  0
No description / notes.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by phisig137:
Photo of phisig137
Reviewed by phisig137 from Virginia

3.28/5  rDev 0%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Pours a 24 karat gold color, with a one finger head with little retention. No lacing.

Aroma is quite mild. A hint of caramel malt, and a tiny bit of noble hops. Not much there.

Flavor isn't a whole lot better. Again, a little sweet malt, a hint of corn sweetness, and a tiny touch of noble hops. I don't detect any of the "hint of smoke" that the bottle describes. Decent body for a lager. Drinkability is good.

Quite a let down from Saranac. Usually thier seasonals a pretty damn good, but this just doesn't do it. No smoke present at all. I guess after you've Aecht Schlenkerla, no other Rauchbier will do.
Oct 26, 2006
More User Ratings:
Photo of woodychandler
Reviewed by woodychandler from Pennsylvania

3.38/5  rDev +3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25
Ah, the joys of the Bottle Backlog! I have some in the basement's Beerfrigerator that I brought with me in the move from my parents' house over to Chez Woody that I have not looked at in a while. I was recently inspired to make today a New Saranac Beer Sunday (or New Beer Saraunacday (Week 661), if you will) & so this is a continuation thereof.

From the bottle: "Perfect for drinking around a crackling fire, this malty German style Lager is brewed with Bamberg Smoked Malt using only the best German hops and traditional Lager yeast. Look for a smooth malty flavor with a hint of smoke in the finish."; "The Spirit of the Adirondacks"; "Brewed in the Adirondack Foothills".

Once again, given the age of this bottle, I Pop!ped the cap & performed a slow, gentle pour into the awaiting glass. Once sufficiently decanted, an in-glass swirl raised a finger of foamy, light-tan head that wafted away into gloaming as I watched. Color was solid Amber (SRM = > 7, < 9) with NE-quality clarity. Nose was both smoky and sweet, like smoked honey, if that is possible! Here in southcentral PA, we have sweet Lebanon bologna & it has that selfsame combination of smoky & sweet. Mmm. Mouthfeel was kind of thin & watery. The taste was definitely of the malts with a honey-like lager sweetness and just a light smokiness. The smokiness was definitely discernable, but it was on the low end of the spectrum for the style. I prefer my Rauchbiers to be intensely smoky, but that is why only myself & a handful of friends will drink them with me. There was nothing inherently wrong with this beer, but it lacked Ooomph!, IMHO. Finish was semi-dry with a lingering light smokiness. I would like to see them go heavier with the Bamberg smoked malt, even if just a few notches heavier. This has real potential.
Oct 22, 2017
 
Rated: 3.25 by buzzy from Pennsylvania

Feb 23, 2014
 
Rated: 3.5 by jaydoc from Kansas

Jan 05, 2014
 
Rated: 3.25 by dgherm from Pennsylvania

Jul 29, 2013
 
Rated: 3 by herrburgess from South Carolina

May 28, 2013
 
Rated: 3.25 by Slatetank from Pennsylvania

May 21, 2013
 
Rated: 3.5 by cliff1066 from Virginia

Dec 11, 2012
 
Rated: 2.5 by chrispoint from Connecticut

Feb 18, 2012
 
Rated: 3 by Beertracker from Oklahoma

Dec 15, 2011
 
Rated: 3 by rab53 from Washington

Dec 02, 2011
 
Rated: 4 by tclapper from Maine

Nov 17, 2011
Photo of mikesgroove
Reviewed by mikesgroove from South Carolina

3.26/5  rDev -0.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
a decent pour for the style as it settles in and gives off a nice two finger head tha slips down the sides of the glass effortlessly.aroma was smoked to high heaven, but rather one sided, some touches of a cough syrup like smell coming off it as it warmed, not sure what that was, but hints of grain buried underneath as well. The flavor was surprisingly good though. Rich notes here of peat and malted grains, nice roasted touches and a very nice and well balanced grain bill. Definitely a very nice flavor and it took me off guard, the feel was a bit thin and one sided, but still not terrible.
Jul 02, 2011
Photo of THECPJ
Reviewed by THECPJ from Delaware

2.55/5  rDev -22.3%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5
Reviewed from notes

Appearance: dark golden yellow with ½ finger white head

Smell: smokey malts, hint of spices

Taste: malts, smoke-but not overpowering, slight sweetness

Mouthfeel: mild carbonation, medium body

Drinkability: the smokiness is not really my thing, just can't get into it.

Cheers!
The CPJ
Mar 04, 2011
Photo of ClockworkOrange
Reviewed by ClockworkOrange from Pennsylvania

3.07/5  rDev -6.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3
A 12 ounce bottle from a mixed pack. Poured into a standard shaker glass. This rauch appears a clear medium chestnut color with a finger of fizzy ecru foam. The head vanishes in less than a minute. Smells and tastes of very mild smoke, maybe I use the Schlenkerla rauch's as a standard, but this is barely kissed with smoke. Notes of spicy/sweet caramelized malts are also present. Rather thin and watery as well with just about adequate carbonation. Take it or leave it.
May 17, 2009
Photo of connecticutpoet
Reviewed by connecticutpoet from Connecticut

3.97/5  rDev +21%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
On the pour, this was a deep yellow, clear beer with a half finger of white head topping it off in my pint glass.

Aroma was of very slightly smoky malt, with almost a hint of sweetness. Some medium-bodied malts were evident. No hops noticeable, but were not necessary.

Taste was slightly smoky, not overpowering but making itself known. Aftertaste was a little smoky, but also had some bitterness. Nice medium malt body. Well balanced.

Mouthfeel was well rounded, good body, not thin.

Good drinkability. Too bad this isn't one of their regulars. This is one of their better ones.
May 13, 2009
Photo of MmmIPA
Reviewed by MmmIPA from Pennsylvania

3.3/5  rDev +0.6%
look: 2 | smell: 2 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
I havnt had a Saranac in a while and I found this one at the beer store.It may be a bit old.

Twelve ounces of amber/orange body and no ead what so ever.Not much carbonation bubbles either.Caramel malts and thats pretty much it in the nose.I taste some malts and smoke.The smoke is at the end of the sip and its nice.Its not offensive to me,its delicate.Its a bit watery but that doesnt take any points from the overall score.This is tasty as are all of the Saranac beers Ive tried so far.They do a good job.Smooth body and carbonation is tingly.
Oct 01, 2007
Photo of hero27
Reviewed by hero27 from Minnesota

2.6/5  rDev -20.7%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3
12 oz bottle.

Light amber color. Head is modest and doesn't leave much behind for lacing.
Toasted malt aroma...where's the smoke??
Flavor is buttery caramel malt with some spicy hops. Almost adjunct-like.. For the style, this really does not have much smoke flavor at all. If you're looking for a hearty, flavorful rauchbier, this is not it.
Slightly oily mouthfeel, medium-bodied. Slick but easy enough to drink.

Overall take on it...this is a rauchbier for people that don't like rauchbiers.
Jun 29, 2007
Photo of garcia2a
Reviewed by garcia2a from Pennsylvania

3.31/5  rDev +0.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
For the style, I like the rauchbiers to have that smokey sausage tase, this beer, while nice, did not have that smokey body that I like. I wouls consider this more of a leichtrauchbier.

This poured amber and clear with a bit of head. The nose had a faint tinge of smoke and spice. The tase was thin with a thin aftertase.

A good primer for those wanting to try this style
Jun 13, 2007
Photo of Redwood21
Reviewed by Redwood21 from Virginia

3.28/5  rDev 0%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
The appearance is decent, a nice amber color with a decent head.

The smell is not very strong nor smokey but isnt bad.

The taste is a toss up, i actually really liek this beer, but looking at the style, i had to go back to the guidelines to be sure i wasnt crazy. there is no smoke in this beer. im a fan of scotch many of which have a smokey flavor in them....none here. that said i think it does taste really good with a malty character with a more full feel.

medium in body a nice full feeling to it, pretty pleasant.

i really enjoyed this beer. if they had just called it a malty beer or a "beer" its got some good flavor and is good
Apr 18, 2007
Saranac Rauchbier Smoked Lager from Matt Brewing Company / Saranac Brewery
Beer rating: 77 out of 100 with 70 ratings