Aecht Schlenkerla Rauchbier Urbock

Brewed by Brauerei Heller
Style: Smoked
Bamberg, Bayern, Germany

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.

This beer is different! It pours dark brown with red hue in the light, and has a thin off-white head. The aroma amazingly captures the character of smoked sausages, beef jerky and has a malty background. Beautiful, creamy mouthfeel and body. Full flavored and very chewy. Hickory like smokeyness is apparent, similiar to the flavors of sausage and bacon off of a fresh grill. There’s a slight, subtle malty touch in the background, but a long, full smokeyness predominates. The finish is long and has a pleasant, slightly burnt like character, almost giving off the feeling of a wood-burning stove. Good for a cold fall or winter night. Very different.

Ruby coloured with a consistent tan head. Slightly less of the smoked ham aroma in this one allowing a bit of sweetness. Also initially tastes very sweet but develops good bitterness into a long aftertaste. Better than the Wiezen.