Brauerei Heller-Trum / Schlenkerla Aecht Schlenkerla Rauchbier Weizen Rauchbier at 5.2% ABV | 20 IBU (C$4.25 at NLC Stavanger, 500 ml, best before 30-Apr-2017, acquired 7-Sep-2016, reviewed 13-Sep-2016)
Appearance: cloudy deep amber with one fat finger of rocky ivory head, excellent retention and spotty lacing. (4/5) Aroma: smoke, toffee, ham/bacon, bready yeast. (8/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate smoke, mild bitter. (8/10) Medium-light body, lively to moderate carbonation, off-dry smoky finish. (3/5)
As usual, I’m not completely convinced that I’m actually smelling smoke-cured meat here, but the combination of sweetness and smoke is so inextricably linked to bacon, it’s impossible to convince myself there’s no bacon there. So, maybe there is, and maybe there isn’t. Aside from the cloudiness, the weizen character definitely takes a distant back seat to the smoke, but doesn’t feel out of place – I mean, who doesn’t like a slice of toast with their bacon, right? I think it’s a bit lighter – in body, colour, and flavour – than the rest of the family (except the Lagerbier) but that’s not necessarily a criticism: in general, I wouldn’t hesitate to have any one of the Schlenkerla beers as a fireside sipper, but this also works as a refreshing thirst quencher. (15/20)
7.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com
