Do you enjoy smoked beers?

Discussion in 'Beer Talk' started by tkdchampxi, Dec 10, 2013.

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  1. tkdchampxi

    tkdchampxi Pooh-Bah (2,473) Oct 19, 2010 New Jersey
    Pooh-Bah

    I haven't had too many smoked beers or rauchbiers in my time, but I've had a few. For the most part, I would describe them as being novel and appropriate for sipping over the course of a few ounces, but I would never think I could drink a whole pint on my own, let alone several pints.

    Then, last night, I had Green Jack's new Red Herring smoked beer, and I loved it. I easily finished my pint, and probably could have had two. The only other smoked beer that I've really liked is Rook and Leer (self-advertised as a smoked porter), and I found that to be more porter than smoked. There's an article on Red Herring here that I liked: http://www.insidebeer.com/articles/20120203

    Have you guys found any other nice smoked beers that can be enjoyed by the pint or two?

    For reference, I've also had Victory's Scarlet Fire Rauchbier, Aecht Schlenkerla Rauchbier Märzen, and HF Holger Danske (also more porter than smoked) - and probably wouldn't have any of these over the course of more than 6 oz.
     
  2. willbm3

    willbm3 Initiate (0) Feb 19, 2010 Massachusetts

    It depends on the beer. I've had drastically different smoke flavors - some appealing, some unappealing. For example, I could drink Jack's Abby Fire in the Ham all day/everyday and be content (and I drank it alot when it was released). I then tried Auerbach's Rauchbier from Mystic, and struggled to get through the bottle.
     
  3. Providence

    Providence Pooh-Bah (2,652) Feb 24, 2010 Rhode Island
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Love them.

    They are my bet for the next variation craft companies will be falling all over each other to create more of. Then I'll be able to sit in the corner of beer bars muttering to myself "I thought smoked beers were cool before you all did!"

    Seriously though, I do love them, especially smoked lagers. Jack Abby Smoke and Dagger kicks mega ass.
     
  4. rgordon

    rgordon Pooh-Bah (2,701) Apr 26, 2012 North Carolina
    Pooh-Bah

    If you haven't tried Aecht Schlenkerla Maerzen, please do. It is the benchmark, I believe, and is a great beverage for sure. It should be readily available in your area. Cheers.
     
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  5. kbuzz

    kbuzz Initiate (0) Jan 22, 2011 North Carolina

    Love em. But not a lot of folks do, it seems.
     
  6. Modernrickk

    Modernrickk Pooh-Bah (1,853) Oct 3, 2013 California
    Pooh-Bah

    Caldera Rauch ÜrBock is sooooo good -

    I don't like the aecht schlekerla just straight up bacon
     
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  7. ThickNStout

    ThickNStout Pooh-Bah (2,142) Mar 8, 2011 Georgia

    I don't hunt them but I don't avoid them either. I've had a few pretty good smoked stouts- like Clown Shoes Vampire Slayer and Weyerbacher Fifteen (drank my last bottle last night & it was quitt tasty).
     
  8. utopiajane

    utopiajane Grand Pooh-Bah (3,982) Jun 11, 2013 New York
    Pooh-Bah

    When I tried my first smoked beer , the Aecht Schlenkerla Rauchbier Marzen I poured the whole thing. Then I tired Jack's Abby Smoke and Dagger and I liked it. So, I tried a Grodziskie next which is a polish smoked wheat beer and in the fridge I have De Molen Bloed, Zweet and Tranen. I think I'm starting to get the hang of it. :sunglasses:
     
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  9. tectactoe

    tectactoe Pooh-Bah (2,386) Mar 20, 2012 Michigan
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    You've already mentioned Schlenkerla, the golden standard for Rauch. My personal favorite is the Urbock. While not technically made with smoked malt, the Schlenkera Helles has a nice smokiness to it (residual overlap from the same brewing equipment as the rauchbiers). Schlenkerla encompasses the best meaty & smoked bacon-esque flavors you can hope to get from smoked malt.

    Mikkeller's Beer Geek series has a good smokiness to them, without officially being "smoked" beers, except for Beer Geek Bacon/Rauch, obviously. But even the regular Geek Breakfast & Geek Brunch Weasel have a large smoked presence. These ones are more on the charred smoke side, not quite as sweet as the Schlenkerla beers.

    For an American rendition on smoked beer, my personal favorite is Stone Smoked porter. Nice, big body yet still drinkable with a perfect amount of smoke to compliment the roasted malts. Not to mention only 4-5$ for a bomber... yes please.
     
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  10. kdb150

    kdb150 Initiate (0) Mar 8, 2012 Pennsylvania

    I like subtle smoke. DFH Immort Ale has a nice amount of smoke. Meantime Naval College Old Porter gets subtle smokiness from being aged in Islay whisky casks, and is an outstanding beer. I tried Aecht Schenkerla Rauchbier and found it too smoky for my taste.
     
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  11. Ericness

    Ericness Zealot (646) Nov 21, 2012 Massachusetts

    Really really dislike. Going with the Jack's Abby examples already provided, I hated Fire in the Ham when I ordered it and struggled to finish it (though Smoke and Daggar I oddly enough do like in moderation). I also really like stouts but don't go for smokey ones and am wary of a good many porters for that reason as well.

    To each their own.
     
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  12. JackHorzempa

    JackHorzempa Grand Pooh-Bah (3,375) Dec 15, 2005 Pennsylvania
    Society Pooh-Bah

    OP, thanks for providing that link. IMHO, the below three paragraphs are very telling:

    “But even among those of us who love it, there are thresholds. Too heavy a hand with the smoked malt and the whole thing topples over into a phenolic nightmare. You no longer have a glass of beer in your hand, it’s a tub of Germolene.

    The balancing act between a distinctive smoke character and a beer that reeks of TCP takes some perfecting. All the more impressive then is the new smoked ale from Green Jack.

    The East Anglian brewery has produced a dark amber ale that is enticingly smoky without the medicinal downside. It’s all rather deftly handled, with the concept of drinkability never lost from sight in the pursuit of idiosyncrasy.”

    Needless to say but different people will have varying preferences but the aspect of “Too heavy a hand with the smoked malt and the whole thing topples over into a phenolic nightmare.” is very poignant.

    I attended a smoked beer event at Yards Brewing in Philly called Smoke’em if Yous Got’em beer event. There was one highly respected beer of Aecht Schlenkerla Oak Smoked Doppelbock available of cask. From my notes: “heavy phenol aroma; medium smoke.” The heavy phenol aroma (a medicinal smell) was off putting to me. I do not recall if I finished the sample (4 ounces or so) of this beer. There was another Aecht Schlenkerla beer available on cask, the Aecht Schlenkerla Fastenbier. My notes for that beer: “medium smoke, very tasty!” I finished my sample of the Fastenbier and I went back for more (two more fill-ups).

    I am not sure where in New Jersey you live but you might want to consider coming to the next Yards Smoke’em if Yous Got’em beer event (they happen in late September). In addition to plenty of tasty beers on cask (smoked and non-smoked) there is also a lot of very good grilled/smoked food available (and two bands; one inside and one outside).

    Cheers!
     
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  13. teledeluxe

    teledeluxe Initiate (0) Nov 21, 2013 Illinois

    Really love some of them. I can drink several of just about any Aecht Schlenkerla (Weizen, Marzen, Urbock) in a sitting, no prob. Honestly, Rauchbier is one of the few german style brews I love (Berliner Weisse and Hefe Weisse too). The Schlenkerla stuff were the best beers I had in German recently!
     
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  14. dianimal

    dianimal Savant (1,006) Apr 18, 2012 California

    I've only had two: Schlenkerla Urbock and Marzen. I enjoyed them thoroughly and want to try others.
     
  15. hopfenunmaltz

    hopfenunmaltz Pooh-Bah (2,647) Jun 8, 2005 Michigan
    Pooh-Bah

    I am thinking of a trip to Bamberg and the surrounding towns to drink Rauchbier. Again!

    Spezial Maerzen is also tasty! Not as smokey as the Schlenkerla though.
     
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  16. azorie

    azorie Pooh-Bah (2,471) Mar 18, 2006 Florida
    Pooh-Bah

    Time and place for me, with food in general. Most are too smokey for me.
     
  17. fujindemon74

    fujindemon74 Pooh-Bah (1,797) Nov 7, 2012 Pennsylvania
    Pooh-Bah

    I've had many, many bottles of Clown Shoes Vampire Slayer and not once did I notice it was smoked. I was, but that's a different story for another time.

    Then I had a taster of that Greats Lakes/Deschutes abomination of a collaboration Imperial Smoked Porter and couldn't finish it. Subsequently I read that many did not consider the smokiness was adequate. WTH?

    Smoked meats great, smoked brains even better, but I personally won't reach for smoked beer again.
     
  18. baconman91

    baconman91 Initiate (0) Dec 13, 2009 Ohio

    Gotta say..I didn't, "at first". They, at least to me, were a bit of an acquired taste, but now I crave/love them (some of them).
    O'fallon Smoke - one of the best out there. I hated it the first time or two I had it, but then kept thinking of & Wanting that Smoke Bomb taste. I got more.. mostly for as a Dinner beer, but developed a "hinkerin" 4 it, ..its awesome, can't wait 4 it to come my way this yr.

    -- drink them a little less chilled..flavors Really come out.
     
  19. twizzard

    twizzard Pooh-Bah (2,080) May 11, 2013 New York
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    The only one I've had was JA Smoke & Dagger...a drain pour...Definitely does not suit my taste.
     
  20. thewrongtone

    thewrongtone Zealot (743) Oct 15, 2006 Arkansas

    Not something I would try to session, but I really enjoy them in smaller amounts. Just had the Schlenkerla Eiche Doppelbock on tap, and it was outstanding.

    Also, fans of smoked beers and sours should seek out Jester King "Censored." It is a collaboration between the brewery and a local BBQ place. Brewed with pecan smoked malt an innoculated with lacto and pedio, I believe. Very interesting.
     
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