Rauchbier Questions

“Very precise terminology.”

Well, the Germans are known for their precision, are they not?

Cheers!

 

A bar in DC, appropriately called "Smoke & Barrel" frequently has Aecht Schlenkerla Fastenbier on tap.

http://www.beermenus.com/places/2959-smoke-barrel

(though not today apparently)

Oh is that some good stuff!

 

All the time, fav style, love at first bite.

 

If I ever finally take the plunge and visit Bamberg, I feel like I'll owe you some sort of commission.

 

I've had Smoke and Dagger and the Smoked Marzen, and really enjoyed both. Smoke and Dagger has been the one I go back to for another sixer now and then because it's so unique and drinkable. Both the smoke and roast qualities are on the mellow side, and I usually enjoy my second bottle more than the first.

The Smoked Marzen is obviously well-made, with a generous toasty Munich Malt base. Ultimately, though, it's not as deeply and richly flavored as Schlenkerla's. Since both beers are priced the same ($5.99 per 500ml) I haven't gone back to it again. It's definitely worth trying, and if it's cheaper in your market it would definitely merit repeats in that case.

 

I just read this thread. Thanks for helping me decide what my next beer is:

 

Fort Collins Brewery does a pretty good job using smoke.

 

Because I've enjoyed every other beer from Schlenkerla, I gave the Weizen a try a few years ago -- terribly disappointed. Might have to give it another go to see if my perceptions have changed at all.

 

Good stuff. I have always enjoyed smoked meats and cheeses, so appreciating the style was easy for me right off the bat. My favorite German rauchbier is Aecht Schlenkerla Urbock. For an American take on the style, it's hard to beat Caldera Rauch Ur Bock.

 

I am a fan of Schlenkerla Märzen and was very pleased with a Swedish attempt at the "style" (The OG was probably in the high 12s, so a bit lower than Schlenkerla but still in the ballpark) which was available last year. The smoke was less dominant than in Schlenkerla's, according to the label the beer used Munich malt along with smoked malt "from Bamberg", which would explain the milder smoke presence I guess, with Magnum and Tettnanger hops. It made for a very tasty beer and I'd like to see other breweries take on the style.

 

I brought bottles of the three Schlinkerla beers I found on the shelf Saturday. The only one I hadn't tried before was the Dopplebock, and it just might be my favorite of the three, and I'm not a huge fan of bocks. The additional malt sweetness really hit the spot on a wet, chilly fall day.

 

Had Rauchbier this weekend, my first, from what I can remember anyway. Tasty, not something I could drink more than a couple of in one sitting.

 

The Fastenbier is a Lent beer that is meant only for the days between Ash Wednesday (the 1st day of Lent) until Easter. Iirc, the original recipe was meant as a "meal" to satisfy hunger pains for practicing Christians who believe consuming a liquid is not breaking the "fast." You're not gonna see this again until next March. I've never seen the Fastenbier in a bottle before, so I'd guess tap is the only way you'll find it. It is, indeed, a fantastic bier.

 

You are correct , it is not bottled.

 

What's a rauchbier?

 

1) see other answers.

2) usually with food, but not always. fastenbier is a revelation whenever it's available.

3) no.

4) the first german rauchbier i had i loved. i had some american beers with smoked malt that i wasn't quite ready for and/or didn't love, but that passed quickly (i love most smoked american beers).

 

1) Technically use lager yeast
2) Cold nights I crave them the most, especially when outside. I'd take a rauchbier over a bourbon any day.
3) Not my favorite but I do enjoy them
4) Accidentally eased my way into rauchbiers. Had a couple smoked beers made in the US before I actually had a rauchbier. After trying the German counterparts the only smoked ale I would drink in the US would be Weyerbacher's Fireside Ale that they unfortunately discontinued.

 

There's this great web site out there with all kinds of info on beer, maybe you've heard of it?
http://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/style/7/

 

It was the only question I could think of regarding rauchbier - I was being facetious

 

I think this one works for facetious ------>