Smoked Beer Appreciation Thread (2024)

Just saw some yesterday at my store, so I grabbed some (dated last month).


First sip had a nice hit of smoke on a Pilsner malt-like backbone with some grassy hints. The nose has a floral aspect to it I don't really get in the taste, but the dried cut grass is familiar. After that first sip, the smoke settles in at a good level for this lighter beer, though it does seem to act to dry out the finish.

I have seen this before in a nice, clear golden beer before (maybe this one), but a little layer of haze sits just below the white clouds of the head on this pour.

 

What a cool effect!

If yours was dated last month then I certainly hope another batch is headed my way soon!

 

Well Crafted Brewing (Lansdale, PA) - Gone Squatchin'.

Made with fresh Alder-Smoked malt from the local Deer Creek Malthouse

 

Meeting friends for the Super Bowl, and they had the newest to me Schkenkerla on tap - Erle.


We’re a little ahead of them, so time for some quick notes. Initially this didn’t seem too smoky to me, though I started noticing the thing I was looking for was just pretty well integrated. The schwarzbier itself comes through nicely, with the smoke sort of enhancing the roasted char of the malt than trying to stand on its own.

Taking a quick look back, I’m in the minority of thinking the smoke is not too prominent on the nose (then again I did have some heavily peated Scotch last night that might be skewing my scale). I do not seem to be in the minority with overall enjoyment, based on the ratings I see.

 

spent yesterday afternoon enjoying this.

 

Another smoked Helles for this thread from me.


I’m glad Elder Pine has this Empyreumatic available in cans, because I want to compare it to Glimmen. The nose is wonderful, as if you were enjoying light beer across the street from a BBQ joint. It’s not overly meaty, but the sizzling drops of fat eke into the byproduct of generating BBQ.

The taste is a little more bitter and maybe slightly ashy, in a relative sense to the nose. There is still a light malt and citrus zest fruity side of the beer, but my attention is drawn to the more raw smoke a bit. It’s a very tasty beer but wish the aroma translated to the taste more directly. Positives outweigh the negatives considerably, for sure, even if I focused a bit more on the latter than intended.

 

Thanks for the new word.

“:being or having an odor of burnt organic matter as a result of decomposition at high temperatures”

Fun as Webster’s definition is, this one is more appetizing. “Name for a group of burnt, leather or smoke odors.”
https://www.vindefrance.com/wines/grape-varieties-of-france/wine-words/empyreumatic

 

Hmmm.... I didn't take a second or two to think that it might be an actual word. Now I, too, am better informed

<insert The More You Know video here>

 

So, am I to presume it didn’t necessarily smell like decomposed and burnt flesh? Yum!

 

I'm gonna go ahead and say it did not, though I did mention BBQ and faint smoked meat notes. I would say it's mostly lacking on the decomposing side of things .

 

I had my first beer from this brewery when I was visiting my Mom for New Year’s and loved it. This is now my third, and I’m still loving their beers. World class, IMHO.





4.5/5 rDev +10.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Pours a rich amber color, slightly unfiltered appearance in the glass, with a full, creamy tan head that provides some lacing and a nice little cap on the beer. Beautiful beer.

The nose is very smoky, as expected, but not the smoked meats I got in my previous beers from this magnificent brew, but a true kilned smoky aroma that is wonderful and accompanied by some stone fruit and wheat bread notes. I am literally slobbering.

The taste precisely mirrors the nose, with that oaky smoke accentuating the dark cherry stone fruit flavors and the substantial wheat bread flavor at the back of the palate. This is so smooth and rich - luxurious is a very apt descriptor.

The mouthfeel is medium and slightly creamy, perfect for this beer. I am a HUUUUUGE fan of this brewery and their smoked beers. They are truly a treat for anyone that enjoys the rauchbier style, IMHO.

 

In Franconia, yes. But I think they only exported it to the US one year.

 

The importer B. United has been bringing this in annually for a bunch of years (including recently for 2024). They do not seem to import bottles anymore though, and have focused on tankers for CT canning instead. I have no idea if the kegs are filled in Germany or CT.

 

Well, it ain't hittin' Northeast Illinois. Maybe the city of Chicago proper*, but I haven't seen it in forever (2015).

Have to wonder how much they're bringing in for canning.

*Just checked the local big retailer -- "limited availability" at one store in the city (and I don't trust their website for beer).

 

Cheers to you for being able to find this beer!

It has been a long time since I was able to drink Fastenbier (2015?) and I discussed this beer in a NBS thread:

"Overall:

In my opinion all of the flavors and qualities of this beer work so well together in this beer. In music terms this is a masterful symphony!!"



https://www.beeradvocate.com/community/threads/new-beer-sunday-week-526.271134/#post-3442852

Cheers!

 

Smoked black ipa /caskadian dark ale poured from a LUKR at Treehouse Tewksbury. An odd combo for sure - but it works well.