Smoked Beer Appreciation Thread (2023)

Discussion in 'The Bar' started by elNopalero, Aug 8, 2023.

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  1. elNopalero

    elNopalero Grand Pooh-Bah (5,822) Oct 14, 2009 Michigan
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    I can’t remember seeing their Italian pils on tap or in cans on my recent visit. I’d try that, if only out of curiosity. Along with the smoked helles I grabbed their citra IPA to-go. It’s good, but maybe the least ‘interesting’ of everything else they had to offer.

    As an aside—and maybe we can pick this conversation up in the Michigan thread, or once we eventually meet up for a pint—I’m finding the Michigan brewery/brewpub experience to be such a mixed bag! Which makes me appreciate a place, like Waypost, that does it well and keeps things interesting, and has a nice vibe, too. I’ve visited more than enough places with terrible beer or an off-putting aesthetic, and incredible service can only go so far! To be continued…
     
    #101 elNopalero, Aug 13, 2023
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  2. vurt

    vurt Grand Pooh-Bah (4,504) Apr 11, 2004 Oregon
    Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Golden Road Brewing in Los Angeles (and forgive me for bringing their name into a rauchbier discussion) did a smoked IPA the first year they opened. It was called Burning Bush IPA, and I remember it actually didn't suck. Impressive, considering.
     
    #102 vurt, Aug 13, 2023
    Last edited: Aug 13, 2023
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  3. vurt

    vurt Grand Pooh-Bah (4,504) Apr 11, 2004 Oregon
    Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Nice to see this thread. I love smoked beers. While I wouldn't call them common in the Northwest, they aren't too hard to find.

    Heater Allen just released their Rauchbier Hell, which was originally a collab with Portland's Wayfinder Beer (who have released some fantastic rauchbiers themselves). It's fantastic.

    I also enjoy Heater Allen's Rauch Bock and Rauch Dunkel. Wayfinder's Crusher Destroyer is pretty spectacular.
     
    #103 vurt, Aug 13, 2023
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  4. PapaGoose03

    PapaGoose03 Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,057) May 30, 2005 Michigan
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah

    Taking this over to the Michigan thread in the GL forum.
     
    #104 PapaGoose03, Aug 13, 2023
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  5. Rug

    Rug Grand Pooh-Bah (3,454) Aug 20, 2018 Massachusetts
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    #105 Rug, Aug 14, 2023
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  6. gatornation

    gatornation Grand High Pooh-Bah (10,388) Apr 18, 2007 Arizona
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    It was and they do almost exclusively smoked brews (Hammerheart) they are on a hiatus now closed up in Lino Lakes,MN but are looking to start up again in Ely, MN soon hopefully , i miss them a lot.
     
    #106 gatornation, Aug 14, 2023
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  7. FLBeerGuy

    FLBeerGuy Grand Pooh-Bah (3,028) Feb 6, 2007 Florida
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    I was in Nashville last week and had a Dampfe from Barrique, it was outstanding.
     
    #107 FLBeerGuy, Aug 20, 2023
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  8. Shanex

    Shanex Grand Pooh-Bah (4,960) Dec 10, 2015 France
    Mod Team Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    For some reason when I hear the style smoked beers / Rauchbier, this comes to my mind instantly.

    Like Duvel for Belgian strong pale ale.

    Will buy it again as soon as I find it.
     
    #108 Shanex, Aug 20, 2023
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  9. gatornation

    gatornation Grand High Pooh-Bah (10,388) Apr 18, 2007 Arizona
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    For sure ..Schlenkerla is the benchmark for Rauchbier , However some local gems like Hammerheart in Minnesota (temp closed) can be found , i find them delicious and always look for them in taprooms.
     
    #109 gatornation, Aug 20, 2023
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  10. kwongmanlung

    kwongmanlung Initiate (109) Nov 21, 2015 Texas

    Aslan Brewing Co in Bellingham, WA had a couple. I really enjoyed their Rauch Bock Hell (Smoked Helles Bock). Mild smoke. Also interesting was their Peated Frances (Brett Saison), which is aged 2 years in Westland peated whiskey barrels.
     
    #110 kwongmanlung, Aug 21, 2023
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  11. Mitchster

    Mitchster Pooh-Bah (2,466) Dec 25, 2002 Michigan
    Pooh-Bah

    I brewed what i formulated to be a clone of Schlenkerla Marzen. I bought fresh Weyermann beechwood smoked malt and it was VERY mild compared to what I expected so I used about 50:50 beechwood and Breiss cherrywood and I also smoked 1 lb of munich with Hickory and this had the level of smoke comparable to the Marzen that I was going for.
     
    #111 Mitchster, Aug 22, 2023
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  12. beergoot

    beergoot Grand High Pooh-Bah (9,310) Oct 11, 2010 Colorado
    Mod Team BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    ...this is a very nice beechwood smoked helles acquired in a trade with @Whyteboar

    Waypost Brewing Co. -- Helles Rauchbier
    Smoked golden lager
    ABV: 5.0%; pouring temperature: 43 °F; canning info: n/a
    Source: beer trade (thanks @Whyteboar)

    [​IMG]

    4.27/5 rDev +7.6%
    look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

    Clear, light gold colored body; nice strings of carbonation; huge head, white and billowy, long lasting, densely spongy with thick sticky strings and rings of foam inside the glass. Very pleasant aroma; mild and persistent smokiness; light toasted grain note; light hop spiciness. The taste builds on the aroma; light grain sweetness; a suggestion of honey; nice even-keeled smokiness that doesn't overpower the other flavors; mildly zesty spiciness adds depth. Medium-heavy body; mild velvety texture; lightly sticky; begins with a light sweetness and finishes with a whisper of dryness.

    This beer certainly resembles some classic German smoked beers. The use of beechwood for the smoke flavor is evident. It's not as strong as, say, a Brauerei Heller-Trum Urbock or Märzen, but it has unmistakable like qualities with the flavors. A top-notch rauchbier.
     
    #112 beergoot, Aug 22, 2023
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  13. Whyteboar

    Whyteboar Grand Pooh-Bah (4,286) Jun 7, 2008 Michigan
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    I see you live in Michigan - where about? (DM me if you don't want to share publicly)
     
    #113 Whyteboar, Aug 22, 2023
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  14. Whyteboar

    Whyteboar Grand Pooh-Bah (4,286) Jun 7, 2008 Michigan
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Glad you enjoyed it Dave, and thank you for confirming my impressions. Waypost has been unimpressive thus far, this one was the very first that made me stand up and take notice.
    I hope that is a good indicator for their future.
     
    #114 Whyteboar, Aug 22, 2023
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  15. beergoot

    beergoot Grand High Pooh-Bah (9,310) Oct 11, 2010 Colorado
    Mod Team BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Well, next time I'm around the Grand Rapids area (I'm guessing the brewery is around that area), I'd like to swing by and see how that farm brewery compares to Wooly Pig in Ohio. Plus, maybe we can hook-up again (not that I mind meeting in Colorado again, either).
     
    #115 beergoot, Aug 22, 2023
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  16. Mark-Leggett

    Mark-Leggett Pooh-Bah (2,317) Jul 30, 2014 Missouri
    Pooh-Bah

    I just had a smoked sour not long ago. Was doubting if it would work, it definitely worked. Very good.
     
    #116 Mark-Leggett, Aug 22, 2023
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  17. PapaGoose03

    PapaGoose03 Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,057) May 30, 2005 Michigan
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah

    This is getting a bit away from the smoked beer topic, but still sticking with the smoked subject, I saw a sponsored flyer yesterday on Facebook for a chocolate barrel-aged smoked Merlot. The smoked beverage thing may be catching on.
     
    #117 PapaGoose03, Aug 22, 2023
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  18. ZebulonXZogg

    ZebulonXZogg Grand Pooh-Bah (3,142) May 5, 2015 Illinois
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    No appreciation here.......
     
    #118 ZebulonXZogg, Aug 23, 2023
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  19. elNopalero

    elNopalero Grand Pooh-Bah (5,822) Oct 14, 2009 Michigan
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    I’m enjoying the last of the helles rauchbier I picked up almost a month ago. I think the smoked character has become even more pronounced over time. Has anyone else had that experience?
     
    #119 elNopalero, Aug 23, 2023
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  20. Rug

    Rug Grand Pooh-Bah (3,454) Aug 20, 2018 Massachusetts
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    It’s been catching on for a while I feel. All the little hipster bars have smoked cocktails
     
    #120 Rug, Aug 24, 2023
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