Smoke - Surly Brewing Company

Spica66

Indiana

2.4/5  rDev -41.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 2

Got this one hand-delivered from Jason on his way to Kalamazoo.

A: Dark brown color. Good head formation and retention.

S: There is definitely smoke. I don't know if it is because this is so fresh (released yesterday), but the overwhelming aroma is only smoke. No hops, no nothing else really.

T: Tastes like bacon and not in a good way. Three out of four of us agreed that this is a bacon-tasting-drain-pour.

M: Medium light body, good carbonation.

D: As stated above, it went into the drain.

Serving type: bottle

11-24-2010 14:16:26 | More by Spica66

largadeer

Kentucky

3.1/5  rDev -24.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

This was an extra from kbutler1. Thanks! Black with a light tan head that recedes to a full collar.

Smoke, dark malt and rubber aroma backed by a bit of chocolate and oak. Sweetness and smoke are pretty restrained. The rubbery character becomes more pronounced as the beer warms, which detracts from an otherwise nice smell.

Toasty dark malt, smoke, light roast and astringent rubber. Smoke is well integrated, present at a subtle level. Medium-light body with a good level of carbonation. Finishes with smoke, rubber, roasted malt. The body is spot on but the rubbery flavor is very detracting.

Serving type: bottle

05-23-2010 23:13:43 | More by largadeer

TCMike

Minnesota

3.13/5  rDev -24.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5

My first smoked beer. I really wanted to like it since it's local, but as it turned out, I'll probably pass on it next time around.
Poured into a mug. The color was a dark brown, with a 2 finger head. The smoke smell was, in my opinion, a little too strong. The taste was OK, but again, I thought it was too smokey. It was smooth at the start, and a medium bitter on the tail end. Drinkability was somewhat low due to the over powering flavor, and slightly elevated ABV.

Serving type: bottle

12-05-2010 00:57:54 | More by TCMike

mgbickel

Pennsylvania

3.38/5  rDev -18.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Been looking forward to this one...big fan of smoked beers...

Shared a 22oz bottle with dtx and our wives.

Poured into a Piraat tulip. A solid finger of dark cocoa head formed on top of the deep mahogany body. The edges approach ruby in color. The bubbles faded slowly...some nice lace being left behind.

Hmm...interesting nose...not the smoke bomb I was expecting. Think more along the lines of a BBQ sauce mixed with a porter.

The taste is where the nose indicated...saucy, coffee and wet cardboard chalky. Not living up to the hype.

The mouth feel is on the medium side with a stringent finish.

Sure it is drinkable, but I have had many better smoked offerings. Worth a try but not worth the hype.

Serving type: bottle

02-28-2011 00:22:36 | More by mgbickel

Treebs

Illinois

3.48/5  rDev -15.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a 750ml bottle into a tasting cup.

A: Pours a very dark brown, almost black, with a bubbly wood chip colored head that subsides into some nice sticky lace down the glass.

S: I'm picking up some smokey meat rinds and oak. There is roasted malts and a slight coffee.

T: The taste is a lot like the nose, but a lot more smokey. Smells of the embers of a campfire, very woody. Just toasted malts and smoke.

M: Medium bodied with a decent carbonation. Went down pretty smooth and left a light campfire in my mouth.

O: This was a very interesting brew. I wish there were some other flavors that could popped up, but the smokiness really took over and dominated. I guess that's why they call it Smoke.

Serving type: bottle

09-05-2011 14:23:29 | More by Treebs

FosterJM

California

3.5/5  rDev -15.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

765th Review on BA
Bottle to Goblet
22oz

@Woodshop Classix
Thanks Shail for sharing!!

App- This was a very dark pour, a lot more so than I was expecting with a porter. A nice ½ in of head that feel to only a ring of bubbles. No cling either or leg.

Smell- Wasn't a whole lot going on my glass expect for huge roasted malts. That was about it, I stuck my nose in there and just couldn't get anything else.

Taste- Taste follows the nose and really leaves it lacking to only have a one sided roasted malt flavor.

Mouth- Medium bodied and medium carbonated. A bit smoky on the finish.

Drink- Not my cup of tea. I can handle a Baltic Porter but this was a bit unbalanced and just too roasted and peat like.

Serving type: bottle

08-29-2011 22:37:12 | More by FosterJM

LilBeerDoctor

New York

3.53/5  rDev -14.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Sampled at the Extreme Beer Fest on 2/15/08: As the name suggests, a lot of smoke in the aroma and taste. Also bitterness and slight roastiness. A good, typical example of a smoked beer.
Aroma: 7/10
Appearance: 4/5
Flavor: 7/10
Palate: 4/5
Overall: 15/20
(3.7/5)

Serving type: on-tap

12-27-2008 21:29:47 | More by LilBeerDoctor

craytonic

District of Columbia

3.53/5  rDev -14.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

On-draft at Churchkey DC

Apperance: very dark pour, not quite black, decent head and lacing

Smell: Roasted malts, very smokey in an aggressive/bad way, dark fruits

Taste: Roasted malts, smoke, bitter chocolate, dark fruits, dried meats, salt

Mouthfeel: medium body, perhaps slightly under-carbonated

Overall: Too much smoke, salt and meat.

Serving type: on-tap

03-14-2012 02:52:37 | More by craytonic

brdc

Wisconsin

3.55/5  rDev -14%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Recent bottling, from notes, thanks to a kind BA.

Poured into a pint glass, it shows a very dark color, near pitch black, but small caramel colored head, little retention.
Faint smoky aroma, some lightly roasted malts, caramel, very faint grassy hops.
The mouthfeel was disappointing, medium at best, and at times feels a bit watery. Taste is pleasant, but lacks depth. All surprising for the high ABV, and the brewery.
Notes include caramel maltiness, some dark fruits, minor smokiness.
xomparing my notes, I am left with the distinct impression something was lost between one of those first batches I had on tap and this bottle. Good, but very far from the greatness I noticed the first time. Quite disappointing.

Serving type: bottle

05-18-2010 17:27:47 | More by brdc

yeahnatenelson

Illinois

3.58/5  rDev -13.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Imbibed at Darkness Day 2010.

Appearance -- Pours a rich dark brown with a thin khaki head, quickly dissipating into a dusty halo.

Smell -- Woodsmoke in the forefront with burnt bread crust, chocolate malt, and some faint plum fruitiness.

Taste -- Again, woodsmoke is the dominant element. Along with the rich smoke comes the addition of a slightly meaty flavor. Beyond this is the traditional baltic porter flavor elements: dark chocolate, plum, toffee, and burnt breadcrust.

Mouthfeel -- Medium to full in body, medium-high prickly carbonation. I personally would've liked a bit less carbonation.

Drinkability -- While very rich and complex, It doesn't take long for the deep smoke flavor to become overwhelming. Couldn't see myself have more than a single 12oz pour.

Serving type: on-tap

10-25-2010 21:16:14 | More by yeahnatenelson

HuskyinPDX

Washington

3.58/5  rDev -13.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

22oz bottle with silver wax poured into a Bruery Tulip glass.

A - Pours a deep dark brown with a dark tan head composed of large bubbles.

S - Smokey meat, Smells like a BBQ.

T - Smokey bacon.

D - Mild carbonation, a touch oily in the mouth.

O - Weird, but I kinda like it.

Serving type: bottle

08-27-2011 02:10:34 | More by HuskyinPDX

jjanega08

Minnesota

3.65/5  rDev -11.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5

I love surlys so I decided to give this one a try even. Though I don't care for smoked beer. Surlys is always making good things so here we go.
A= a deep blackout color with a tiny head that lasts through the entire drink. Not much lacing however which was a little dissapointing
S= it smells smokey for sure. Deep in it I notice some plum and fig notes.
T= smokey up front for sure. Unique like a smoked bacon or something. Not my favorite but they accomplished what they wanted. It wasn't as overpowering as some other smoked beers. The middle some of the regular porter comes through with the figs and plums followed quickly again by the deep smoked flavor.
M= light and smooth not expected. I thought I would find it to be very heavy. There is no carbonation though.
D= for me not to high. It was fun to try but it was just not my style. I graded it higher because it accomplished what they whated to accomplish... just not for me though

Serving type: on-tap

12-06-2008 19:03:44 | More by jjanega08

mcgwire756

New Jersey

3.65/5  rDev -11.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3

Poured on Super Bowl Sunday into my KBS tulip.

Pours jet black with but not completely opaque with a tan head that disappears over time. Smells very similar to chocolate stouts with lots of chocolate and molasses as well as some subtle smoke. The taste is of more chocolate and molasses and then the smoke comes. Similar to Weyerbacher Fifteen but much creamier. However, after sipping on it for 10-15 minutes, the smoked bacon taste starts to take over a bit much for me. This beer is so creamy and delicious but starts to become a little too sweet and smokey for my liking. I really loved it at first, and by the end I had grown tired of it. Still a great and different beer that I would recommend trying.

Serving type: bottle

02-11-2011 14:59:42 | More by mcgwire756

cpetrone84

Pennsylvania

3.68/5  rDev -10.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Big thanks to Kevin for sharing this one!

A-pours a dark black liquid with a little tan colored head that is tight and creamy.

S-the nose brings a ton of smokiness up front, lots of roasted and smokey malty goodness. notes of chocolate and anise. sweetness and hops in the back, plums, grassy hops.

T-the taste is even smokier. lots of smoke dark malts, chocolate, anise behind. plums and raisins in the back with a light grassy hop presence.

M-the feel is so smooth and creamy on the palate. the carb is light but enough to hold the body throughout. hint of crispness at the finish with just a touch of dry in the back.

D-definitely a good bit of smoke with a good malty sweetness and nice hop presence in the finish. solid drink here with some nice maltiness going on.

Serving type: bottle

06-01-2010 00:20:23 | More by cpetrone84

vandemonian

Maryland

3.68/5  rDev -10.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Surly Smoke is a smoky dark beer. It's malty and smoky. There isn't much else happening here.

A: Black colour and a 5 mm head that fades. 4

S: Nice smoky smell. Duh. 4

T: Malty with some earthiness. There is also a lot of smoke in the aroma. 3.5.

M: Foamy 4

O: 3.5

Serving type: on-tap

07-16-2012 02:51:00 | More by vandemonian

Jeffo

Netherlands

3.73/5  rDev -9.7%
look: 2.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Got this one at the Cracked Kettle in Amsterdam.

From a bomber into a snifter.

APPEARANCE: A dark pour makes a small, medium looking, overly noisy, tan head that quickly dissipates to a fain, splotchy wisp and ring. Black body with ebony hues around the edges, and zero carbonation evident. A slight ring remains but leaves no lacing down the glass. Head is unimpressive, and it looks a little flat by the end.

SMELL: Medium strength nose of dark malts, espresso notes and some pure chocolate. Some smoke in there but not in the forefront, meaning it complements instead of dominates. Touches of caramel and roasted malts as well, and some liquorice notes.

TASTE: A pretty tasty porter all around. Some dark and roasted malts with smoky notes throughout. Some sweet caramel in the middle with notes of liquorice and raisins in there, like advertised, and then touches of espresso and dark chocolate after the swallow. The dark malt, bitter espresso and smoke laden aftertaste is bold and lingering. Enjoyable.

PALATE: A little thinner than hoped, though it thickens somewhat as it stands. Lighter body with medium carbonation. Only semi-creamy on the palate, goes down fine and finishes slightly dry.

OVERALL: A complex and flavourful porter for sure. The appearance was slightly lacking and the palate a little light, but overall this was an enjoyable beer to drink. Glad to have had the chance to try it, but won't be seeking it out again.

Serving type: bottle

10-25-2010 13:46:00 | More by Jeffo

Rhettroactive

Virginia

3.73/5  rDev -9.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

From 22oz bomber to Boulevard tasting glass on 5/7/11 at the first NoVA BA Tasting Event
*From notes

-- I'm psyched to have unearthed my notes for this one, as I've had it twice and am thrilled to finally lay down a proper review --

A: Really solid grayish-brown-black. It looks like either a light stout or a massively heavy porter (which it is). A standard pour yields .75 finger head and little to no lacing.

S: Maltier then expected. I had this in line at the Sexy Chocolate release in January, and I distinctly remember the epic amount of natural smoke on the nose. It was like stepping into a Kansas City smoker. In the months since, this has fallen off dramatically, and to be honest, is more balanced now. It's got the smoke, sure, but it's now offering hints of hearty malt and that a touch of that lagered sweetness.

T: Like the nose, the smoke bomb effect has worn off a bit, but it's still got a heavy char to it. The rich layers of flavor have been slightly compressed here, and it now drinks more like a standard Baltic Porter with a moderately heavy dose of liquid smoke.

M: This one is dense. Creamy and slightly undercarbed, this one is thick for a porter, and it helps to cover for the fading smoke profile.

O: Surly's Smoke is a shell of it's former self, yet it's still a damn fine beer. I'm not typically one for smoke/rauchbiers, but this is balanced in ways that many within the same flavor realm are not.

Drink 'em if you got 'em, it's going fast.

Serving type: bottle

08-20-2011 16:28:28 | More by Rhettroactive

kajerm

Illinois

3.78/5  rDev -8.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

On tap at Map Room. Pours murky brown with a slight reddish cast and a thin tan head.

The aroma is dominated by malts, with scents of dark chocolate and some residual sugar. A faint suggestion of salty smokiness is present in the background.

The flavor opens up similarly, chocolate flavors predominant, with a smokiness that grows quickly and overtakes but does not completely wash out the malt flavors. Some black patent bitterness appears in the finish (along with the slightest hint of hops), but smoked sausage is at the forefront. Alcohol is detectable only as warmth.

The beer is medium to full-bodied with low carbonation and some stouty viscosity.

Drinkability is all right for such a big, smoky beer, but I really couldn't handle more than a full glass of this.

Serving type: on-tap

01-26-2008 03:11:42 | More by kajerm

orangesol

Pennsylvania

3.78/5  rDev -8.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Thanks to largadeer for opening this at the post-post-RS party tasting. Reviewed from notes. Poured into a taster glass.

A - Pours black with a very tiny mocha colored head leaving no lacing at all down the glass.

S - Good amount of roasted malts up front but the smoke is not far behind. Some nice chocolate and vanilla sweetness comes thru as the smokey darkness begins to let up. Just o.k. really.

T - Plenty of dark roasted malts in this one. A nice mix of chocolate and coffee flavors starts to break thru once the smokey malt dies down a bit. The smoke is quite pronounced as you might expect and never really leaves the party. Not too bad but nothing mind blowing here.

M - Medium-Heavy body and flavors with moderately low carbonation. A bit light in the feel with tons of lingering smokey dark roast in the finish.

D - Decent stuff. I enjoy porters quite a bit but this one was just too smokey to really enjoy. I could drink one of these but that is about it.

Serving type: bottle

02-28-2011 23:53:34 | More by orangesol

Gushue3

Massachusetts

3.78/5  rDev -8.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A Dark brown/black in color that is somewhat transparent. Medium sized head with moderate retention and not much lacing.

S As advertised. Tons of smoke with a roast and subtle chocolate as well but the smoke dominates.

T Follows the nose. Smoke is there from front to back along with with some roasty coffee and bakers chocolate. Slightly acrid roast/smoke which was too much for me.

M Medium feel with medium to lighter carbonation.

O Not a bad porter. I'm assuming drinking it fresh would be much more enjoyable for me. Smoke was over the top for my taste.

Serving type: bottle

12-04-2012 18:39:13 | More by Gushue3

Huhzubendah

District of Columbia

3.8/5  rDev -8%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Shared at my tasting on May 29, 2010. Thanks Paul! Review from notes.

A: This beer appears a very dark brown, almost black. There is virtually no head or lace at all.

S: Whoa - the aroma is extremely smoky. I guess this is what they were going for.

T: This tastes much more like a rauch bier than a Baltic Porter, incidentally. While there are some nice flavors here, the body is just too thin to support the complexities of this beer.

M: There is very little carbonation, and a generally flat feel.

D: I'm glad I tried it, but I can get an Aecht Schlenkerla rauch bier that tastes better for way less trouble.

Serving type: bottle

07-23-2010 01:29:34 | More by Huhzubendah

maximum12

Minnesota

3.8/5  rDev -8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Really? I've never had Smoke? I'm not sure how that happened, except during the first bottle run last year, so many people wanted bottles I ended up trading them all away. Well, here we are again. During an excellent birthday dinner for my wife, consumed at Pracna on Main in Minneapolis.

Black. Smell rising from the fogginess of the glass is pretty pure bacon/smoke. Not much else. Gives my tummies little butterflies.

Smoke tastes much more complex than the smell. The smokiness is ascendant (or they would have called it "Mist" or "Drizzle" or "Crack" or something else), but not the whole shesnizzle. The smoked malts are strong, but cut beautifully by the oakiness, which lends a dry, wry irony to the brew, keeping the smoke in check & keeping this from moving too far into pork territory. The malts are nice, too, lending a sweet counterpoint, & I could swear there was chocolate present, too. Perhaps a sprinkle of dark fruits.

Very good beer. The oak is for me a critical component that kept this one sane & drinkable. Glad to finally meet you, Smoke.

Serving type: on-tap

12-10-2010 04:21:11 | More by maximum12

bigfnjoe

Pennsylvania

3.83/5  rDev -7.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

Poured from a bomber into a Victory tulip

A- pours black with a one finger tan head that quickly fades to nothingness. Eh.

S- very smoky aroma. Very...bacon-esque. About what I expected, considering the damn name of the beer

T- decent bit of smoke, lots of chocolate....tasty

M- medium bodied, actually on the lighter side...strange considering how strong the flavors are

O- not bad, not bad at all...just not a very mainstream style

Serving type: bottle

02-04-2013 03:05:09 | More by bigfnjoe

SpeedwayJim

New York

3.84/5  rDev -7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

2012 vintage. Thanks to Jeff for this one. 750ml waxed bottle into a Founders snifter. Shared with schen9303.

Pours a 1 finger coarse cream colored head with moderate retention. Beer is an opaque pitch black. Lacing is patchy, layered and thick. Thin legs. A real nice looking beer.

The nose lives up to the name. Molasses, brown sugar, roasted malt, cocoa powder, and loads and loads and loads of smoke. Some bitter chocolate too. Weird but decent for the style... which I'm defining as a smoked beer.

Opens sweet molasses, roasted malt, chocolate, booze, and smoke. Like smoky maple bacon. More smoke and roast in the middle with fudge and chocolate sweetness to balance things out. Some dark fruit emerges right at the end. Finishes accented chocolate and cocoa. Aftertaste of maple, molasses and more smokiness. Like the nose, weird but I kinda like it.

Medium bodied with moderate to low carbonation. Smooth and robust in the mouth with a sprinkling of bubbles. Goes down smooth and oily. Finishes pretty clean with a long, lingering, sticky aftertaste. Solid.

I'm not sure why this is categorized as a baltic porter instead of a rauchbier but either way, its a strange but ultimately, pretty pleasant and very interesting offering from Surly. Smokiness is balanced nicely by the chocolate and maple/molasses sweetness. I'm glad I got around to this one. Worth trying.

Serving type: bottle

04-24-2013 01:30:06 | More by SpeedwayJim

MbpBugeye

Ohio

3.88/5  rDev -6.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Sent to me for my birthday by Fear025. Awesome.

A- Very minimal head with no retention or lacing. Just a pad in the middle, fueled by the laser etching in my snifter.

S- The nose is kinda weak, but its nice. Even though the peaty smoke is the dominate, its very soft. Marshmallow, wood, some dark fruits, and chocolate. Everything needed for a good campfire. I would now suggest taking this beer along too.

T- Again, smoke is this beers main prerogative. But its a nice, soft smoke. Very, very woody. Vanilla, marshmallow, some char and ash. A slight lick of licorice and molasses.

M- Smooth, mellow and lightly carbonated.

D- Very nice stuff. The smoke is very easy to deal with here.

Serving type: bottle

12-15-2010 05:57:10 | More by MbpBugeye