Aecht Schlenkerla Rauchbier Urbock

Deep red-brown with a thin and short-lived head. Barely a hiss when uncapped. Big, initially offensive smoke aroma that improved as it warmed. Charcoal, tar, hamhock. A nicely hopped bock underneath the smoke. Not a savory smokiness like I had expected. More thin, like smelling the plastic from a package of good bacon. Wanted to love this, but was disappointed.

DId someone leave something cooking too long? I don’t hear the smoke alarm. Surely there is no danger, but this smoky selection certainly is heating up the evening rather well. Pours out a dark brown with an off white head. Smells like a woodburning stove used to cook seasoned pork. Amazing nose to say the least. Taste is both campfire smoke and woodchip burner smoke combined with sweet malts and a light hoppy finish. It is suprisingly drinkable despite the flavors that are present in this brew.Definently not the kind of beer that I would have every day, but certainly a treat to have in the winter months.

Bottle. Pours clear dark brown with a moderate off-white head. Aroma is extremely smoky, with a little bit of sweet dark malt peeking through; reminiscent of both campfires and bacon. Flavor is more of the dark malt up front, with a hint of smokiness, and then turning to a smoky/malty full-bodied middle, and a very smoky but still slightly malty lingering finish. In there somewhere, especially in the finish, are some subtle hops. Pretty good, although smoke does completely dominate all aspects of the beer.

Next chance I get I’m going back to Alpine Village where I picked up this excellent brew. This beer is fantastic. Dark red color, foamy head. Taking in the aroma is like sitting in front of a campfire. Similar wood and smoky taste, rich and satisfying. A definite must!

Pours deep mahogany into a lowball. Slight tan head quickly recedes. Liquid smoke aromas...what else? Sweet honey glaze upfront with an abrupt turn to a lasting smoked rind finish.

Pours dark brown, hints of ruby, with light tan head - very clear. The aroma is full of sweet smoke - very smokey and some sweetness (almost like the crust from a smoked honey glazed ham - but with more smoke). The flavor is much maltier than expected - the sweet malts (some caramel, honey) stands up strongly to the immense smoke (which reminds me of some very heavily smoked sausages). Hints of hops in the finish. Mouthfeel is very nice and medium in body.

Bottle. Pours deep mahogany with beige head. The aroma is distinctly smoky with campfire and bacon, and just a touch of malty sweetness behind it. The flavor has a rich, meaty flavor from all that smoke and some lightly burnt wood tones. There’s also some very subtle grassy hops and graininess in there.

Pours a dark, clear red wiht a good, creamy head. The aroma is definitely smokey, with a touch of chocolate and maybe even a tiny bit of coffee. There’s a bit of sweetness in the flavor, but not a lot more than smoke in the aroma.