Aecht Schlenkerla Rauchbier Marzen
Smoked meat in a bottle
If any one beer is the epitome of the style in which they are made, Aecht Schlenkerla’s Rauchbier (a 5.4% ABV brew) is it for rauchbiers. Dating back to the 1500s, this style of beer incorporates green malts that have been dried over open flames (usually beech wood) into the brewing process, imparting a smokiness that is not for the faint of heart. In fact, I’ve tried this beer several times through the years, absolutely hating it the first couple of times, but each time since I become more and more used to it’s robust and assertive flavors.
It was at a tasting at Capital Alehouse in Fredericksburg several months ago that I enjoyed it (with Stilton Cheese nonetheless) prior to purchasing this bottle on a whim last week. Sometimes, you’re just in the mood for a liquid campfire in a glass. Aecht Schlenkerla’s product served its purpose wonderfully.
Appearance
The brew pours a dark brown in color with a massive, light tan head that fell slowly.
Aroma
There is a load of smoked meat, char and a touch of sweet dark malts within the aroma of this beer.
Taste
If you’re not mentally prepared for or have never had this beer before, the first sip can be quite jarring. A strong smokey char hits the tongue immediately as a light malt sweetness does it’s best to temper the effect on your palate. It does take a moment or two for your palate to adjust to the smoke, but when it does, this is a terrific brew. It’s not easy drinking, due mainly to the smoke, but at a moderate alcohol content it goes down easy enough.
Overall
This is one of those beers that you don’t just jump into if you’re new to anything other than macro-lagers. This is a beer that requires a palate that can handle strong, robust flavors that stick around for a good long while once the glass is empty. If you’re a fan of Rauchbiers, then you’ve no doubt already had this brew so you’ve got no excuse not to go out and buy more. I’ll be doing the same on the next beer run.
Rating: 4.25/5