On tap from a keg pushed with co2. Dark garnet color with an off white head. Aroma is smokey with some underlying malt sweetness. Initial taste is sweet and malty with a nice smoke background followed by some caramel notes, some bacon/ham smokiness, and a nice balance of earthy, woodsy hops. The smoke is omnipresent but never overpowering. Nice full body and a great finish make this a satisfying, but drinkable, beer. Rather nice. Thanks John!

On tap at the 2007 GABF: Pours a transparent amber bronze with a frothy ring of white head. Aroma has a decent amount of smoke and grainy crystal malt. Body starts with a light malty sweetness and good carbonation with a drier, earthy smoke flavor toward a smooth, smoky finish. A pretty good rauchbier.

<b>Date:</b> 08/09/2008<br /> <b>Mode:</b> Draft<br /> <b>Source:</b> Brewfest, Great Taste<br /> <br /> <b>Appearance:</b> clear amber, frothy beige head, <br /> <b>Aroma:</b> sweet caramel aroma with lots of woody smoke, <br /> <b>Flavor:</b> rich sweet caramel malt flavor, lots of smoke to balance it without taking over, light bitterness, <br /> <br /> <b>Aroma:</b> 7/10; <b>Appearance:</b> 7/10; <b>Flavor:</b> 7/10; <b>Palate:</b> 7/10; <b>Overall:</b> 15/20<br /> <b>Rating:</b> 3.7/5.0<br /><b>Drinkability:</b> 8/10<br /> <b>Score:</b> **4<br />

On draft at the KC Biermeisters Homebrew Competition. Some dark caramel malt and light peat smoke in the aroma, gently swet and lightly roasty, with touches of leafy tobacco and herbal hop, perhaps some lightly burnt grain in the background. Light amber-brown color, clear, with a fading head. Flavor is a combination of dark malt sweetness and manageable smokiness, the hops providing a slight drying effect and bringing a mild amount of bitterness and spicy flavor. Shows a moderate degree of effervescence and a medium body, finishing clean and with some faintly lingering woody smoke. Seems as though the base is nearly like an Altbier, and the smoke makes for a nice addition.

GABF 2007: Poured a light golden amber color with an off-white head. The aroma had smooth but strong smoke. Not over the top. The flavor was malty with caramel and nutty notes. Nice amount of smoke. Light to medium body.