Smoked Beer Appreciation Thread (2024)

On Thursday, The Silver Stamp in Las Vegas, the Greatest Beer Bar on Earth, celebrated their Fourth Annual Hot Dog Eating Contest.

https://news3lv.com/news/local/las-vegas-bar-celebrates-july-4th-with-its-own-hot-dog-eating-contest

On July 23, they will once again celebrate Smokebeer Preservation Day.

https://www.adcook.com/las-vegas-brewing-news-july-2024/

 

Nina, a Grodziskie from Lovebird Brewing
https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/66752/707185/

Poured a 355ml can into a pilsner glass. A one finger white head on a hazy pale dirty yellow. The head diminishes to a thin layer. Some patchy lacing.

Malt and lemon on the nose.

A mild beech smoke flavour is apparent up front but overall mind in strength. Some herbal notes. A dry finish. The smoke character seems to diminish towards the end of the glass.

A light body and moderate carbonation.

I am not too familiar with this style but I like the refreshing light body with the herbal smoked notes.

look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

 

I visited Silver Harbor Brewing in St. Joe, MI, this past weekend. They offer to smoke a beer at your table by using a glass bell-housing that is filled with smoke. They suggest that 1-3 minutes will impart a smoky taste to the beer. Their scotch ale sounded like a good candidate for this treatment, so I asked the server to do it.

The smoking process is put together behind the bar, so I didn't see how they get the smoke inside the bell. It's then brought to your table sitting on a cross-cut disc of a log. I kept it covered for three minutes, and after lifting the bell the smoke dissipated immediately. Initially there was a little residual smoke inside the glass that gave the beer an apparent smoky flavor. Subsequent sips were less, but some of the smoke that had settled on my hand kept me thinking that I was still tasting it. In reality, it would take much longer than three minutes for the smoke to permeate the liquid, but it was a fun thing to do. It didn't cost anything other than the extra tip I left for the server. It was a tasty scotch ale.

 

That does look like fun! What did the smoke, out of the bell jar, smell like?

I would have annoyed my wife by letting it sit for ten minutes or more.might have tipped the jar her way and wafted the smoke her way. It’s the little brother in me… even after all these MANY years.

 

It may have been hickory. It smelled like a great wood for smoking meat.

 

Klosterbrau Bamberger Rauchbier is still available around here, so I guess I'll be getting more of this smokey, meaty, dark lager. Cheers!

 

I saw this for the first time yesterday and I put it back- I’m regretting it now. Hopefully it’s still there next time I’m at the store.

 

Has a score of 92 on BA, which is excellent. 4.17 avg. rating. Give it a try. It was $3.99 for a 4 pack @ Silvis, IL Hy-Vee when I purchased it. Not sure if they've raised it since then. That price was a steal!

 

So maybe get a 2nd beer or a half pour, if possible, of that same scotch ale to drink while you're waiting would be a good thing? For comparison.

 

Good thought for my next time there. I'm 70 miles away, but my wife liked the place so well that she's willing to drive there occasionally just for dinner. So there apparently will be some 'next times.'

 

I looked it up on Binny's last night and I can get it up north here -- $5 a 4-pack?

 

I saw it in Binny’s as well. I’ll definitely pick it up next time I see it!

 

Hunted down this today. Might be the best domestic smoked beer I've ever had.

 

Pairs well with sausage and sharp cheese.

 

Thanks for pointing this one out -- what a gem of the style! Not overly smoky, but just the right touch with some good, herbal hops and dark bread crust maltiness.

I'll be heading back for more!

 

Great price point too. I pay $3.99 for a 4 pack. Cheers, glad you enjoy them.

 

Was $4.99 a 4-pack over this way, but still a steal for an import and compared to other labels.

 

I quite liked that one, as well, posted previously here (though I deleted my image). As I read my thoughts there and in my review, I didn't get a huge smoke influence in the beer - at least not as much as I anticipated from the brewery. That said, I did really like the level of smoke in that beer, maybe only a tad less than you did, which still gives it high praise.

Somehow, despite seeing this done with food and whiskey / cocktails, I never envisioned doing it with a beer. I guess your description is partially why - considerably more liquid than a cocktail such that the smoke influence is limited.

That said, I'm finding it pretty cool reading about it secondhand, so I can see your point there, especially with no direct extra cost.

 

I had this over the weekend, forgot to post it here.

Was at Equal Parts Brewing. They had a new lager out, Lil' Smokey. Its a rotating series of smoked lagers with local BBQ joints...the BBQ joints smoke the malt of course.

It is a really well done lager, as is always the case with Equal Parts. I know its called "lil" aka Little. Though even so, I was hoping for more smoke smokey umph. I'm almost certain that is intentional, so as not to be to over the top. I'm all for balance and subtly, but with Smokey also in the name, it is missing that punch. Lovely toasted, baked bread like malt character though. Super clean and dry. I can definitely come back to this, if I don't think of it as a smoked lager ha.

 

I wonder if it is sold anywhere else besides Binny's.