Church Brew Rauchbier

Brewed by Church Brew Works
Style: Smoked
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania USA

Serve in Dimpled mug, Lager glass, Stein

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I am really touchy about smoke in beers but this one was very well done - prominent smoke but not one dimensional. +++ Sampled on draft at the brewpub this beer poured a very dark brown color with a medium sized foamy tan head that left a touch of lacing. The aroma was bacon bits, a hint of nut, wood, more bacon, pepper and a touch of raisin. The flavor was woody and smoky with some bacon, some toasty malts, nut and a hint of bread. Sweeter than I would have expected but it really worked. The finish was long with wood and bacon lingering. Medium body. Well done.

This poured a lightly cloudy medium brown color with a small beige head. Aroma was of caramel, grass, light toffee and medium strength smoked malt. Flavor was a nice blend of caramel sweetness with smoke bitterness, not too sweet, but not offensively smokey. Definitely a smoked beer I wouldn’t mind have more than one glass of.

UPDATED: DEC 30, 2011 Had this at the 2011 Pittsburgh Ratebeer Christmas Eve Eve Tasting. OK, this beer has been brought back into production by Lithy and he did a good job. IMHO the first version of this, 2003, was not too good. I normally do not like smoke beers but this was a special treat. Appearance is not black like other smoked beers that I find acceptable, more of brownish thing here. Dull and smokey on the aroma, no doubt this is a smoke beer. Oh my, what a smokey impact on the buds. However, it seems to have nice balance, no ill bacon or anything like that. Most smokeys are way over the top but this is behaved and a gentleman. Friendly, and easy! Does have a decent amount of CO2 and this helps me enjoy it. BIG THANKS LITHY! Finally a smoked beer I can appreciate. I’m gonna say its up there with east end heritage porter and Ofallons smoked porter, my two most liked smoke beers.

This was one of the more palatable smoked beers I've had. Malts are sweet caramel and medium thick and the finish was mostly dry. The smoked flavors start with the aroma and follow the tastes from beginning to end, adding a consistent character to this. I was pleasantly surprised. Dark orange/brown color.

nice lighlty smoked beer. the smokiness comes through asa flavor component and does not overwhelm the malt character of this beer. finishes on a dry note with a lingering smoky sweetness.