light style smoked beer

I did a 2.5 gallon smoked mild that came out real light and easy drinking while being super smokey.

2# Maris Otter
8 oz Crystal Malt
4 oz Carapils
4 oz Chocolate Malt
4 oz Peat Smoked Malt

I would probably dial the smoked malt down a bit more since that was the overpowering flavor in the beer and bump the MO instead.

 

Schlenkerla (and most Bamberg Rauchbiers, for that matter) are refreshing. I would suggest Tettnang hops...but they'd likely have trouble fighting the homemade apple-wood smoked malt, I suspect.

 

Use the smoked malt in a Helles. Works fine, I have made one, just use a light hand on the smoke. Apple wood smoked would be a good match.

 

IPA might be weird, but this recent revival of Graetzer seems to suggest that hops and smoke can work together (I've never had a Graetzer myself). I could see bitterness working but hop aroma + smoke aroma seems like it'd get messy.

I agree with the Helles suggestion. Recently tried Weiherer Rauch and it was kind of a mindfuck, being pale but also smoky. But it was indeed delicious.

 

Did one last year. Pils malt and 4 lbs of pear smoked malt in 10 gallons. Use 2 lbs of applewood smoked in 5 gallons. Single infusion at 153F.

Hop it to about 18-20 IBU (noble hop of your choice), 1.046-48 OG, keep the sulfates low, use WLP 833 and ferment at 49-50F, do a D-rest and lager at 33-34 F for 6 weeks.

Thanks.

 

I've had the pleasure of drinking a lightly smoked helles like hopfenunmaltz suggests and it was very refreshing. I loved it.

 

I have a plan for a smoked black Ila. I plan to use a daily small amount, maybe a pound in a 13 - 14 pound grist. I know of a few beers using the 8 - 10% smoke range that seem to have what I want. I plan on using really resiny, piney hop varieties to complement the smoke and roast of the dark malts.

 

That is what I was going to suggest. I loved Bastone's smoked helles.

 

I haven't had that one. Had some lightly smoked beers in Frankonia, and have had the Schlenkerla Helles.

 

Smoked with pear wood. Just like apple smoked means you use apple wood. The smoked flavor is delicate, similar to apple wood smoke. Very smooth smoked flavor, so that went well with a Helles.