2011 Surly Smoke Versus 2012 Surly Smoke

Discussion in 'Great Lakes' started by wapavz, Dec 19, 2012.

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  1. wapavz

    wapavz Initiate (0) Nov 17, 2012 Minnesota

    So I have noticed a huge flavor difference between the two beers. The 2011 has a huge smoke and meaty flavor upfront followed by a nice porter in the finish. The 2012 has a porter taste up front and finishes with a subtle smoke flavor. My question why do you think that is? A bad batch this year? A bad bottle? Change in recipe? I know age could have big part in why it taste different. However I was under the impression that smoke beer tends to get less smoky with age. I don’t think age will cause the two beers to taste so fundamentally different I could be wrong though. I would like to know what you guys think. Has anybody else noticed this? Don’t get me wrong they are both good beers but I like the 2011 a lot more.
     
    #1 wapavz, Dec 19, 2012
  2. HomeBrewed

    HomeBrewed Initiate (0) Dec 10, 2006 Minnesota

    Haven't had the '12 yet, as I am not a big smoke beer fan. I still have a bottle of '11 in my cellar as it was way too smokey for my taste fresh.
     
    #2 HomeBrewed, Dec 19, 2012
  3. pmccallum86

    pmccallum86 Savant (1,107) Apr 7, 2009 Minnesota

    Your mind/palate are probably playing tricks on you.
     
    #3 pmccallum86, Dec 19, 2012
  4. XmnwildX12

    XmnwildX12 Grand Pooh-Bah (3,140) Nov 12, 2010 Minnesota
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    I thought the same thing when I had the 12 at Groveland Tap, thought there was not as much Smoke as last year. But it could be my taste changing over the year.
     
    #4 XmnwildX12, Dec 19, 2012
  5. jera1350

    jera1350 Grand Pooh-Bah (3,181) Dec 15, 2007 Minnesota
    Pooh-Bah

    When I had it two years ago, I thought it had a fake burnt plastic taste that was really off-putting. Didn't have it last year. Had a pour of this years at Republic and absolutely loved it. Big malty taste with lots of smoke to it.

    I'm a huge smoked beer fan and the one I had this year was spot on for me.
     
    #5 jera1350, Dec 19, 2012
  6. grantcty

    grantcty Savant (1,016) Feb 17, 2008 Minnesota
    Trader

    You weren't the only one. I had it and couldn't quite figure out what all the fuss was about considering that it wasn't the kind of 'smokiness' I expect from a smoked beer. Then I remembered the fanboys, er Surly nation...:stuck_out_tongue::grinning:
     
    #6 grantcty, Dec 19, 2012
  7. theCoder

    theCoder Initiate (0) Oct 24, 2011 Minnesota

    They changed the recipe a bit this year to my knowledge. I happened to be at Heritage when they got their shipment in and the Surly guy was talking about how its sweeter this year and less smokey. So I'm quite excited. I honestly wasn't a Smoke fan when young, thought it to smokey so I would buy one and add it to the cellar. Then grab my 2 year old bottle and drink that. Now I'm torn and may have to pick up a few Smokes.
     
    #7 theCoder, Dec 19, 2012
  8. wapavz

    wapavz Initiate (0) Nov 17, 2012 Minnesota

    I hope didn't change the recipe, I thoroughly enjoyed the intense smoke flavor!! Maybe they aged the Smoke in different barrels this year!! Either way it's still a good beer!! :slight_smile:
     
    #8 wapavz, Dec 21, 2012
  9. tewaris

    tewaris Initiate (0) Jul 14, 2009 Minnesota

    Barrels of what?
     
    #9 tewaris, Dec 21, 2012
  10. wapavz

    wapavz Initiate (0) Nov 17, 2012 Minnesota

    What I meant is intstead of aging Smoke in Oak barrels maybe they used White pine or Walnut etc. I would Imagine different barrels would create different flavors of beer. Maybe even aging beers in the same oak barrels might have different taste based on differences in the wood.
     
    #10 wapavz, Dec 21, 2012
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  11. minnesotaryan

    minnesotaryan Initiate (0) Dec 27, 2010 Minnesota

    I don't think smoke is barrel aged?
     
    #11 minnesotaryan, Dec 21, 2012
  12. LittleGus

    LittleGus Crusader (476) Mar 13, 2008 Minnesota

    Less smoke would be a good thing for me. I like a subtly smoked beer, and I know Surly doesn't do half measures, but I thought Smoke last year was like drinking a campfire. I might try one this year if it isn't as smoky.
     
    #12 LittleGus, Dec 21, 2012
  13. incutrav

    incutrav Initiate (0) Jan 16, 2007 Minnesota

    Smoke malt greatly varies in the 'smokieness' from year to year, also depends on the freshness. Homebrewers can attest to this.

    Also, I believe Smoke is oak aged- not barrel. No sure if they use cubes, spirals, etc?
     
    #13 incutrav, Dec 21, 2012
  14. tewaris

    tewaris Initiate (0) Jul 14, 2009 Minnesota

    Not barrels per se, but it is aged on wood. I think that is the case for many smoked beers one way or the other. To quote Schlenkerla, "The Original Schlenkerla Smokebeer is here at the tavern still being tapped directly from the wooden barrel according to old tradition."
     
    #14 tewaris, Dec 21, 2012
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