Wildfire Rauchbier - Penobscot Bay Brewery

wisrarebeer

Wisconsin

4.53/5  rDev +24.8%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

$6.99/22oz. bottle

A: deep rich copper color, full thick head that kept it all the way to the bottom of the glass
S: rich chocolate malt with pronounced smoke
T: rich chocolate malt, well-balanced with smokiness and hops, not over the top with hop bitterness
M: rich and malty mouthfeel

Serving type: bottle

02-10-2013 14:10:52 | More by wisrarebeer

smakawhat

Maryland

3.7/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Poured from the bottle into a shaker pint glass. Happy Holidays!

A classic red copper amber and clear, belows with a real large tan head, thin bubbled and slowly settling. Cream clump action on the head, leaves a great top on the head. Classic looking Rauch, very nice.

Nose is nice and light smoke. Beechwood like fireplace ember sensations, meaty, subtle, hints of jerky and sausage. Solid.

Palate hits a little subtle unfortunately. Not much of a thick malt backbone to this, but small smoke with hints of even hop presence in the aftertaste. Feel has a good depth without a syrup like coating. There's a bit of noticeable caramel sweetness which I don't normally find on other producers of this style.

Overall though, this is a pretty darn good example of the style. Can't think of too many other American made Rauchs that are this good or close to the German textbook greatness producers (Schlenkerla). I could have this anytime, worth drinking again.

Serving type: bottle

12-25-2012 17:38:24 | More by smakawhat

GuyIncognito

Maine

3.68/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Smoky, smoky, smoky. Beautiful dark color and woodsmoke aroma. This is an intense beer. It tastes like your clothes smell after a campfire. That's part good, and part bad. For uniqueness I give it a 5, but for drinkability, I give it a 2. I split a bomber with 2 other people, and that was plenty to get the full flavor of this old German style beer. It's a beer I will be talking about for awhile, but I don't know how often I will drink it...

Serving type: bottle

09-22-2012 14:58:36 | More by GuyIncognito

cbutova

Massachusetts

3.28/5  rDev -9.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Reviewed from notes.

A- Dark brown with some red in the light. Foamy light charred tan head forms with decent retention, only a bit of foam after it dies down. A few rare spots of lace.

S- Mostly dark fruit and the smoked malt playing off of each other. Cherry, smoked malt and campfire/grilled meat comes to mind.

T- Fairly simple here too. Smoked malt is the main flavor with some dark cherry and general cereal grains. Some spice and nutty brown malt feel.

MF- Lighter body with a fairly watery overall feel. Carbonation is moderate but the body lacks a fulfilling consistency overall.

Solid delivery of smoked malt flavors but lacks depth. The mouthfeel leaves me asking for more.

Serving type: bottle

09-21-2012 02:37:47 | More by cbutova

Chico1985

Massachusetts

3.08/5  rDev -15.2%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Thanks to Cam for sharing this Maine-exclusive beer, always up for a new rauchbier.

Pours dark amber with some orange highlights. A fizzy off-white head becomes nothin', a slight ring formed after some swirling.

A decent smoky meat vibe from the scent, reminds me of sausage patties. Some graininess and dark fruit there as well.

Taste delivers alright smoky/meaty flavors as well, but pretty tame overall. Dark fruit and some light fruit as well, some tart apple which seems out of place but somehow works out. Some caramel, grains.

Mouthfeel is kinda limp for a lager, not bad but noticeable. Lowish carbonation. Not sure of the ABV but feels like maybe in the 6-6.5% range.

Decent. Kind of interesting flavor profile, some smokiness there but felt a little weak overall.

Serving type: bottle

09-17-2012 18:35:58 | More by Chico1985

jdhilt

New Hampshire

3.38/5  rDev -6.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Will pour a five+ finger cream head that fades slowly, leaving a good lace. Cloudy dirty amber color. Strong carbonation and medium bodied. Smoky nose and flavor is sweet smoke and caramel. $6.70 for a 22oz bottle from Tully's Beer & Wine Wells, Me.

Serving type: bottle

08-08-2012 22:01:40 | More by jdhilt

GarthDanielson

New Hampshire

3.9/5  rDev +7.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured on-tap and served in a tumbler pint, the beer is a ruby-auburn coloring with a beige head that quickly settles into a filmy ring. Aroma is rich and meaty, with a solid charcoal smoke character. The flavors are roasted, with a nutty and caramel sweet backbone. Carbonation keeps the body lighter than most Rauchbiers. The aftertaste is smokey, with a dark, nutty sweetness underlying. Smooth finish seals up a solid brew.

Serving type: on-tap

06-03-2012 02:39:42 | More by GarthDanielson

lordofthewiens

Maine

2.78/5  rDev -23.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

Found this at Tully's and bought it because I've enjoyed this brewery's beers. This one was not so great.

It was brown in color with some red highlights. There was a tiny tan head.

I really couldn't get much in the aroma. After many attempts, I would say there was some caramel and some smokiness.

There was a little bit more in the taste, confirming what I thought I detected in the aroma. Still not that much there.

This beer was underwhelming. To me it didn't have those nice rauchbier characteristics.

Serving type: bottle

04-25-2012 20:43:59 | More by lordofthewiens