Aecht Schlenkerla Helles Lagerbier

Brewed by Brauerei Heller
Style: Dortmunder/Helles
Bamberg, Bayern, Germany

I would suggest that, contrary to the commercial description listed on this page, that this beer has more than a hint of smoke, although this is definitely not the smokiest beer I’ve had (that would be the Aecht Schlenkerla Rauchbier Marzen). To my palate, this beer tastes meaty, which is not entirely a bad thing but does make the beer a bit less drinkable than some other styles. This beer tasted a bit like summer sausage, in contrast to the Rauchbier Marzen by this same brewer which tasted very bacon-y. Definitely worth a try, but not something you’re going to drink more than one of! Also, if there was ever a thread on this site for "worst lawnmower beer," this might be in contention. Oddly (at least to me) is that this beer really does look lager-like. it is golden with nice amounts of head. Aroma is very smokey. Mouthfeel is actually fairly pleasant. Recommended.

Bottle at home - while typing the festivalratings. Clear golden - white head. Corn, crisp, straw, grains, nice light hoppy, grape, citrus, lime, very dry, light smoked, dusty. It gives me a fury feeling on my teeth !!

Clear pale yellow body with small white head. The aroma is dense hickory smoke, light herbal hops and a touch of biscuit underneath. The flavor is lightly smoky, herbal, lightly grassy with some bread and honey. Medium/light body is softly carbonated with a nice bitter finish. Superb.

Pours pale gold with medium carbonation. One finger head that dissolves quickly. Never had a smoked beer before. Not bad, but the flavor isn’t for me. Drinkable, but probably my last...

Crystal clear yellow/gold with a small white head. Distinct smokiness is right up front, almost masking altogether a grainy, bready aroma. Light, clean palate with only moderate carbonation. A hint of light malty sweetness lurks in the background, but the flavor here is dominated by a pleasing smoky bitterness. Lengthy dry refreshing finish. This is unlike any other smoked beer that I’ve had, and certainly not typical of the beers of Bamberg, which I have had first hand. It is much lighter, and although apparently no smoked malt is used, the smokiness resident in the brewery certainly characterizes this beer. It is actually quite refreshing, an adjective normally not used in describing rauchbier. Not for everyone, but I like smoked beers.

Very strong, smokey aroma - it is very much like apple-wood smoked bacon, and very full. The flavor is not quite as full as the aroma, but it retains its pleasant smokiness, now paired with a good dose of malts and a crsip hoppiness. I would have actually guess that the alcohol content was more due to its full flavor. Clean, slightly hoppy finish.Decent.

Nearly clear golden pour, with many tiny suspended particles - fairly smokey aroma, considering there is no smoked malt, with touches of honey and floral hops - smokey up front in the flavor, followed by flavors of butter, bread, honey - grassy, herbal hops arrive late, drying out the beer somewhat - the smoke doesn’t quite work in such a light beer, but this is still pretty nice.

This smoked beer pours a yellow gold color from a 50cl bottle. Medium to large sized white foamy head. Aroma is slightly smoky, grainy and some hops. A medium bodied smoked helles. Malts are grain and cereal. Hops are spicy and earthy. There is just a hint of smoke in this one, subtle but prevalent. This is a fairly decent helles with that touch of smoke. Big bold carbonation. Very drinkable beer. Light and refreshing, yet it has a lot of flavor, with that dash of smoke in the background. Nice. Mouthfeel is full. Finish is crisp and clean. Aftertaste is slightly bitter.