Victory Scarlet Fire Rauchbier

Draft->juice glass (tasting@brewery): Pours a large, rocky, off-white head atop of a yellow body. Not much aroma other’n smoke. The body is light, the texture is thin, and the finish is astringent with a soft bit of carbonation. The flavor’s duration is short, being moderately sweet, and lightly bitter. The bartender popped this on us one night and I must say that I was quite pleased; I’m not quite sure why this beer is (presently) in the 46th percentile.

On tap at Victory. Pours a clear amber color with a decent sized thick white head. Aroma of sausage, light malt, caramel, toast. Flavor is toast, smoke, caramel, light earthy hops. Palate is medium bodied, medium carbonation, finished lightly bitter with a linger smoke. Great stuff and very under appreciated!

This beer is etched into my mind and psyche. Had this at the Victory event at Blind Tiger, 28 tap lines and this was by far the best. Got this first and then kept drinking others’ leftovers of this beer. Very clean easy drinking lager with a clear amber body. Aroma is strong on lightly sweet smoke. Taste is full of it as well. Absolutely no off flavors from the lager, very well attenuated and just great. This is perfect for a very smoke lager.

Growler. At Victory Brewing. Pours golden yellow. Thick white bubbly head, that was present in my glass until the very end. Aroma was smoky. Reminded me of bacon. Flavor is smoky up front, mellows out to sweet caramel notes with hints of smoked malts. Mouthfeel was soft. Body medium. Flavor was nicely balanced. Not much for smokey stuff, but this was a treat.

Look - golden lager color. Little copper. Smell - smoky smell. Very good. Taste - wow, bbq/burnt/smokey flavor to it. Very good lager. Flavorful, different. Nothing but the best from Victory.

Tap at Blind Tiger. Pale amber colour. Aroma is very softly smokey. Light beechy sweetness with some soft munich malt character as well. Low esters, very clean and well-lagered. Flavour is soft and lightly malty. Soft with a nice herbal bitterness on the back as well. Light smokey sweet flavour. Lean palate with just a hint of breadiness. It’s a very nice, refreshing lighter-style rauchbier.

On tap at the Brick Store, May 2008: Pours a transparent deep copper with a spotty-lacing off-white head. Aroma of lightly sweet toasty caramel with a big smoky character. Body starts lightly sweet and toasty caramely with a nice smoky balance and a touch of light fruits before a semi-dry finish. Has some lingering nice smoky notes. A good rauchbier.

On tap at George Keeley. Deep amber in color with a little off white head. Smokey malty caramel aroma. Malty hoppy notes. Caramel malty flavor. Light smokey notes. Medium bodied. Finish is hoppy. Nice beer. Drinkable.