Aecht Schlenkerla Rauchbier Urbock
Schlenkerla (Heller-Bräu Trum)

Aecht Schlenkerla Rauchbier UrbockAecht Schlenkerla Rauchbier Urbock
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From:
Schlenkerla (Heller-Bräu Trum)
 
Germany
Style:
Rauchbier
Ranked #6
ABV:
6.5%
Score:
92
Ranked #4,287
Avg:
4.15 | pDev: 12.29%
Reviews:
808
Ratings:
1,586
Status:
Active
Rated:
Mar 04, 2024
Added:
Aug 23, 2001
Wants:
  129
Gots:
  152
First tapping every first Thursday of October. A bitter Smokebock for the strongbeer-season (October through December). Matured for weeks in the deep rock-cellar and tapped freshly from the oakwood cask.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by doktorhops:
Photo of doktorhops
Reviewed by doktorhops from Australia

4.45/5  rDev +7.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5
Recently I found that the quantity of my German bruviews was lacking and as such I decided it was time to give that tasty (denoting I've had it before) Aecht Schlenkerla Rauchbier Urbock from Brauerei Heller-Trum a go... and if that isn't a mouthful of a name wait until I review Dem Bayerischen Reinheitsgebot entsprechend gebrautes Aecht Schlenkerla Eiche Doppelbock von Heller-Trum, gefährliches zeug! [I added that last "gefährliches zeug!" purely for emphasis]

Poured from a 500ml bottle into a Stein.

A: A nice deep brown, almost cola like body presents a stark antithesis to the creamy 2cm ecru head. Looks delicious and thought out and no doubt tastes the same.

S: As Darth Vader once proclaimed "The rauch is strong with this one.", in the case of this Rauchbier (or "smoke beer" to non-German tongues) this is indeed a peat-smoke infused brew, with some well-added smoked salami for effect. There is nary another ingredient to be whiffed behind the veil of hickory, much to the delight of Rauchbier drinkers everywhere.

T: Quintessentially brilliant - a rauch schinkenspeck sandwich in a bottle. The flavour is a taste of every glorious thing that has ever been smoked in a beer with notes of the above plus more; roasted caramel, touch of salt, with an earthy hop finish. Balance between malt and hops is spot on and whilst the smoke can be overpowering for some if you get used to it - power to you.

M: Medium bodied with that classic creamy Weizen carbonation.

D: You know the last time I had this beer was before I began reviewing and I was taken aback by the smoke "too much!" I thought, but now (in my finite tasting wisdom) I can't stop drinking this amazing Ale. It is only a brew I would recommend for people who have tried other odd flavoured beers like Lambics or Sahtis and nodded their head in silent approval - it is not a beer for the craft-novice let me make that clear. For a non-smoker like myself (I have had an occasional Cuban cigar) it was a bit of a struggle acclimatasting [a new word for the Doktorhops lexicon] to smoke flavours but now I am there, oh yes.

Food match: I couldn't help but think that the entire menu of a Bavarian pub would work with this, especially anything pork related - if you see "schinken" on the menu: Get it.
Jul 23, 2014
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 4.27 by tdm168 from Pennsylvania

Mar 04, 2024
Photo of ovaltine
Reviewed by ovaltine from Indiana

4.5/5  rDev +8.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Pours a clear, deep mahogany brown color and sheds some beautiful ruby hues when held up to light, sporting a creamy tan head that provides a nice cap on the beer as you drink it. Absolutely gorgeous beer.

The nose features aromas of smoked meat that are mouthwatering, some caramel, a nice whiff of wheat bread, and a bit of bitter hops. Wow.

The smoked meats are the star of the taste, as expected, but it’s the balance that’s provided by the caramel and wheat bread notes mid-palate and the pleasantly subtle hop bitterness on the finish that make for a world class beer, IMHO.

The medium, dry mouthfeel simply adds to the drinkability of the beer. My local always has this beer and the Marzen in stock, and I’m adding both to my regular rotation, because both are magnificent, again IMHO.
Feb 03, 2024
Photo of Greymane
Reviewed by Greymane from France

4.86/5  rDev +17.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
Pours from the bottle clear and dark amber with little to no head. Smells of smoked meat, bitter and dry on the tongue. I was lucky enough to order mine direct from the brewery and the best by date was 6 months in the future. Previously I was only able to find expired bottles, that were flat and oxidized.
Jan 31, 2024
Photo of mcm180
Reviewed by mcm180 from Ohio

4.53/5  rDev +9.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
Oh wow. Guten schtuffen.

Beautiful dark amber color. Very thin head.

Smells like beer. Tastes like smoke and beer. In the best possible way. I don’t have a more sophisticated vocabulary for it. If you like smoke and beer together, then this is the beer for you. Aftertaste is pretty hoppy.

Lightly carbonated, not overdone. Just right for the flavor.

I had high hopes, and this exceeded them. I’m impressed.

For what I paid ($5 for the bottle) it’s a very nice treat, but I can’t afford to drink a lot of it. Definitely worth the price once in a while.
Jan 03, 2024
 
Rated: 4.5 by festizio from California

Dec 18, 2023
 
Rated: 4.31 by MrJones07 from Spain

Dec 05, 2023
 
Rated: 4.22 by Nyoder

Dec 05, 2023
Photo of jonb5
Reviewed by jonb5 from England

4.38/5  rDev +5.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
A: Dark mahogany, almost opaque, medium sized tanned head which didn't hang around too long.

S: Smoked meat, pleasant but not overbearing, smoke became more pronounced as it warmed.

T: Followed the nose, added some malt, slight hit of sweetness, didn't overdo the smoke.

M: Medium body, smooth texture, low carbonation.

O: High class beer, not as smokey as the Märzen, not as dry as the Doppelbock.
Nov 26, 2023
Photo of JamFuel
Reviewed by JamFuel from Sweden

4.53/5  rDev +9.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
Pours a dark brown with soft, creamy tan head.

Smell is bready with notes of smoke sausage, brown bread, tobacco, licorice, rye and some mineral hints.

Taste is rich, bready and smoky. Notes of smoked sausage, brown bread, tobacco. muscovado sugar and some nutty hints and a solid bitterness.

Mouthfeel is medium, chewy, smooth and well carbonated.

Overall, a fantastic smoked bock, rich and warming.
Nov 18, 2023
 
Rated: 4.56 by BLVBBERGIXLL from Arizona

Oct 31, 2023
 
Rated: 4 by TODDRESSEL1 from Indiana

Oct 26, 2023
 
Rated: 3.58 by Duncian from Pennsylvania

Oct 20, 2023
Photo of Nass
Reviewed by Nass from Florida

4.35/5  rDev +4.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
The pour is umber brown colored with a fair amount of carbonation. The taste is chewy roasted malt, firewood smoke, & brown bread crust. There is no date on the bottle, but I guess that might not be too important for this style of beer. Cheers! A-
Oct 08, 2023
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Rated by RamonaBeer from California

4.77/5  rDev +14.9%
look: 5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
Very smoky but quite tasty.
Oct 05, 2023
 
Rated: 3.66 by CraftFan5 from New Jersey

Sep 20, 2023
Photo of nasal
Reviewed by nasal from Illinois

4.68/5  rDev +12.8%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
Now I understand. This is what every rauchbier I have ever had has been trying to do. Campfire smoke, malty brown bread, caramel and molasses, but not syrupy or burnt. Werthers and cellars. I love this beer.
Sep 17, 2023
 
Rated: 4.14 by bschmidt_37 from Illinois

Sep 12, 2023
 
Rated: 4.34 by Giggy from Michigan

Aug 29, 2023
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Reviewed by Hat_Fulla_Beer from Canada (AB)

4.06/5  rDev -2.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
500ml bottle poured into tulip.

Pours a dark rootbeer brown with one finger of beige head that leaves a nice sheet of lace as it recedes.

Smells like beef jerky. Smoked meat, garlic, rosemary, thyme, onion, burned bread and roasted caramel malt.

Tastes of pumpernickel, blackened toast, roasted caramel malt, barbecue smoke, some more subdued meat flavors and some cowboy coffee.

Feels deep and rich. Full bodied with subtle carbonation. Finishes chewy.

Verdict: Vigorously recommended. A highly unusual but very enjoyable beer. It would go pretty well with a steak or a burger or something.
Jul 29, 2023
Aecht Schlenkerla Rauchbier Urbock from Schlenkerla (Heller-Bräu Trum)
Beer rating: 92 out of 100 with 1586 ratings