Brauerei Heller-Trum / Schlenkerla Aecht Schlenkerla Rauchbier Urbock Rauchbier at 6.5% ABV (C$4.99 at Willow Park Wine & Spirits, 500 ml, best before 31-May-2016, acquired 16-Oct-2015, reviewed 7-Jun-2016)
Appearance: clear amber-brown with one finger of light beige head diminishing gradually to a thin cap, moderate lacing. (4/5) Aroma: smoke, wood, hints of umame/meat/bacon, earthy. (8/10) Taste: moderate-low sweet, moderate smoke, mild bitter. (8/10) Medium-light body, soft carbonation, dry mildly smoky finish. (4/5)
Do rauchbiers actually have best before dates? Because even though this one’s is supposedly past, this is bloody good, is what this is – smooth and moderately smoky, with an almost creamy body. I don’t know whether I’m just beginning to appreciate the style, or whether this really is a particularly good example of the style, but I’m quite enjoying it either way. I’m not sure whether there’s really a umame presence there, or whether the smoke is just so very much like a really nice slab of bacon, but either way, it’s really nice. (16/20)
8/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com
