When I picked up this bottle of Victory Brewing’s Otto back in December I was under the impression that it was their attempt at your standard Rauchbier (smoked beer) and had put it aside for when I was really in the mood for one — which I have been in more often lately for some reason. It wasn’t until a need for smoke arose that I finally took the time to check out the beer’s history. It turns out that this 8.1% ABV brew is so much more than a Rauchbier.
Otto is apparently based off of an experience that he Victory co-founders had on a trip to Germany back in 1987. Why the muse or motivation struck them to produce this beer now, I have no idea, nor do I care. This is smoky treat isn’t your typical smoked beer. Sure it utilizes smoked malt, but these malts are Belgian, as is the yeast they pitch in during the brewing process. The end result of that process is a Belgian style dubbel with a strong smokey character. It not only served to satiate my craving for a little smoke, but I’m also a sucker for a decent Belgian beer.
Appearance
Otto pours a clear copper in color with a light tan head that fell slowly to patchy surface lace.
Aroma
The noce certainly packs a smoky wallop as a mental image of campfires arrive after just the first sniff or two. It’s got a smoked meat character as well as caramel, subtle Belgian yeast and a light sweetness.
Taste
The Belgian dubbel aspect of this beer arrives first with a moderate sweetness, caramel, dark fruits and yeast. That first round of flavors moves slowly over the palate to a smokey campfire. It’s not an overpowering smoke like a bottle of Aecht Schlenkerla Rauchbier Marzen can often be, but it’s still pretty demanding of your attention.
Overall
This was a dark tasty brew. I got the smoke I was in the mood for as well as the dark fruits and subtle sweetness of a dubbel. The smokey character was solid and forefront in the flavor profile, but it wasn’t so much that it took some time to get used to. I could certainly go for another of these.
Rating:4/5
