Brewery – Schlenkerla
Beer – Rauchbier
Alcohol – 5.1%
Origin – Bamberg, Germany
Style – Smoked Beer
Season – Autumn
An acquired taste I believe, is the easiest way to describe the appeal of this beer. If you like hotdogs and you like drinking, it doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll like drinking hotdogs!
Pours a deep dark, thick and brown with a mature white head. Wood smoke and meaty on the nose initially the heaviness is off-putting, however the taste is less intense, smoother and the smokiness prevails over the meatiness, leaning towards barbecue flavours. The lingering smokey finish is beautifully satisfying and makes the brew surprisingly drinkable.
This beer wold go great with strong cheeses, but I wouldn’t suggest trying to drink a few of them as the taste gets a bit overwhelming.
Certainly an unusual style of beer, and the Schlenkerla is the smokiest of the ones I’ve tried.
Give it a go and let me know what you think.
Greg Beresford
Beer Brain 