Back in February 2023 a thread popped up on here regarding beer poking. Several breweries host seasonal festivals during which they "poke" their beers with a red-hot iron. August Schell Brewing in New Ulm, MN, hosts a spring Bockfest at which "...our fire tenders will add a touch of caramel flavor to your Bock beer – it may not make Spring arrive faster, but it will definitely keep you toasty." Untappd even has a listing for "Schell's Bock, Poked" (which I checked in even though I did it at home and not at the brewery - they weren't too clear on this). I'd wanted to try this ever since I first heard about it. A 50-cent tool from the thrift store, a propane torch, and an old Schell's Bock from the cellar and the project was under way. I didn't have high expectations, so I was quite pleased with the result. The poked bock was a bit sweeter, with more depth of caramel flavor, less carbonation, a silkier mouthfeel, and a pleasant toasted marshmallow note. If you've tried a poked beer, or if you have an inkling to try this at home, please post your observations here. It doesn't necessarily have to be a bock. I'm thinking a Scottish ale or an ESB might make a good candidate, but you never know until you try - and I will. Prost!
Definitely looking forward to this thread. Although I have never been to an event, or had a poked beer. This said, I am fairly confident we have the technology and skill to achieve it at home. “Hold my beer!” Ha, hopefully nothing that dramatic. And I like the idea of experimenting with various beer styles. PROST !
My last poked beer was Ayinger Celebrator Doppelbock at the Philly German Beer Festival last February (2024) and I enjoyed drinking that beer. I hope to attend again this year and hopefully they will have the fire pit and poking crew going again for this year's event. I have not poked a beer at home but this thread may inspire me to do so. Below is a good video courtesy of the Northern Brewer folks. Beers often discussed as being applicable for poking are bocks (e.g., the above mentioned Doppelbock) but other dark/malty styles should ‘work’ as well. In a past thread somebody made mention of Baltic Porter and I suspect that this beer style would work very well as a poked beer; it just so happens the Northern Brewer folks think so as well. In the video they discuss a poking tool you could purchase for home poking (with a recommendation for one that is ‘extra’ long). Cheers! P.S. I have a homebrewed Sticke Altbier that is bottle conditioning right now. I wonder if this beer style would benefit from poking!?!
Have had a doppelbock, dunkel, and imperial stout poked at the brewery where I work (Another Beer Co. in New West, BC). We promote poking for Sundays, but if it's slow, we'll pull out the torch and poker just about any day upon request.
My first instinct about the poker was that it's a poor man's "Steinbier". But just reading the few comments here, it feels dirty like a "Randall", in a 'let's fuck with any beer' kind of way. I may be getting it wrong.
You should try a poked dark/malty beer someday and find out for yourself if you enjoy the 'change' in the beer. For my personal palate I enjoyed the poked Ayinger Celebrator where the decreased carbonation yielded a smoother (and pleasing) mouthfeel and the caramelization effect complimented the other flavors within the beer. Or you may not like the 'change' but you will never know unless you try. Cheers!
Unfortunately I missed the recent event at Human Robot (Philadelphia, PA) where they were giving the loggerhead treatment to both their regular Doppelbock and Smoked Doppelbock. From their social media post:
@slander – Most brewers misconstrue Bierstacheln: Disseminating a ‘brûlée treatment’ Technique is critical, as it is with a Lukr. The lager itself should be cold, as the accent should be on the ‘collar’ --- Post Date: 12/28/2020 [+Steps] -
I will once again be attending the Philly German Bierfest this Saturday (Feb. 22nd) help at the Pennsylvania German Society. In years past they would have a fire in the courtyards and a keg of a bock (e.g., Doppelbock) and folks would be there to poke the beer. I will take a photo if they do this once again and post it in this thread. Cheers!
1840 Brewing and Young Blood Beer Company Milwaukee Medium. A stout with raspberry, cacao, vanilla, and milk sugar. At 1840 Brewing.
