Smoked Beer Appreciation Thread (2025)

Been digging Great Lakes Luna Smoka the past few days. Polish smoked wheat ale brewed for Dyngas Day. Lots of smoke in a very light easy drinker. Nice driveway!

 

Cross-post from NBW#250:

Bad Weather Act of Grod

Appearance: Hazy pale yellow, enormous head.

Smell: Light smoked ham, a little tart tanginess.

Taste: Starts with a little tartness, then shifts to a mild smokiness, some wheat bread. Light, dry. Finishes with a mix of light smoke and tartness.

Overall: I'm always on the lookout for smoked beers, saw that Bad Weather had a grodziskie on tap so made immediate plans to visit. It is a really tasty version, nice smokiness and a a tartness that is mild, not as strong as a lichtenhainer. I wish more breweries would do grods, I think they are great summer beers!

 

This afternoon I went to The Beermongers and thoroughly enjoyed a can of Chuckanut Rauch Helles which was canned about a week ago.



Such gorgeous malt. Such soft, succulent smoke. Magnificent.

 

Tonight, after dinner, I compared 2 new local rauchbiers: Living Häus Orville Smoked Helles and Chuckanut Rauch Helles.



Chuckanut was unquestionably the better beer: more malty, more softly smoky, better mouthfeel, and gorgeously balanced. Still, I will be happy to finish both of these fine smoked helles beers tonight.

 

Yazoo Sue - Smoked Porter



This is a very nice, mildly smoked porter. Just enough smoke to be interesting, but mild enough to be approachable.

 

Yes!!

 

Not your normal smoked beer, and not listed as such on this site, but I haven't posted here in a little bit and felt the need to. Believe it's from my visit on closing weekend to the brewery.


So it's appropriately classified here, I feel. It's a strong ale first, but I have always believed the earthy note with a wisp of smoke is what makes this such a unique brew that works so well for me. This does have a tang that might be some age, but it takes it towards raisin from fig, with some fig oils still lying around. Then the earthiness, and vague smokiness that lingers into the finish.

As it warms, the sweeter dark fruits come out, as does a more direct sweetness, that I would attribute to the candi sugar if I were more confident in my palate. The smokiness gains a bit as well, and while the sweetness is up a bit and it isn't as noticeable, the tang isn't banished from the experience. A somewhat decadent "smoked beer" for today, and I am enjoying it.

 

A very lightly smoked pilsner, which doesn't look much like a pilsner, more like an amber.

Hammerheart Vartid


Patiently waiting for a heavily smoked beer release from Hammerheart....most of the recent releases have been on the subtle smoke side.

 

Sigh. My Hair of the Dog stash is getting smaller. I only have a few Matt's left. Probably my favorite beer from them. I think the label describes a tobacco flavor which I think is accurate.

 

Tried a rauchbier from 5 Cities in Bettendorf, IA. Forgot to save the can for the picture!
Called Green Eggs and Spam:

Appearance: Clear dark gold, good head.

Smell: Smoky ham, a little sweetness.

Taste: Mild bready sweetness, then a nice moderate smoked ham flavor. Mild/moderate smoke remains through the finish, with maybe a hint of citrus. Medium-light bodied, easy drinking.

 

German-Style Smoked Schwarzbier

 

Very awesome. Would love to go there!

 

Two words: Bamberg Onion.

You're welcome.

 

Maybe they'll make it for you!

So, did you try it that last time?

 

I haven't. It would have to be one of those rare times I'd be cooking for myself. My wife isn't a big meat and potatoes fan.

I'd also have to hunt for fresh Schlenkerla, which is also rare around here these days.