Aecht Schlenkerla Eiche - Brauerei Heller-Trum / Schlenkerla

Skidz

Wisconsin

4.47/5  rDev +9.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Pours out bright copper and sits a light brown in the glass with a a good sized, creamy, off-white head, fading to a light skim with some fair lacings.

Bright smoky aroma, almost peat-like in that it protrudes with some tang. Caramel and toffee below, figs, raisins, and dates mingle as well.

Lightly sweet malty character in the mouth, pushing forth a torrent of smoky goodness. Peat-like flavors definitely come through, though this is certainly due to the oak. It is reminiscent in character to some well-aged rye whiskeys, and brings about some vegetal qualities. Sharply defined hops presence with booming grassy noble hops character. Fades fairly to a low after-burn, noting some alcohol, and the smokiness continues to flourish.

Delightlfully effervescent in the mouth with a medium-light body. Definitely a rock-solid smoked beer, and probably one of the more dominantly defined beers from Schlenkerla. Packs a one-two punch of both smoke and hops while maintaining a clever balance with some truly delicious malts.

Serving type: bottle

07-01-2011 02:52:12 | More by Skidz

Neorebel

New Jersey

4.31/5  rDev +5.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

Pours an auburn hue into my goblet. There's a very thin ring for a head, but the beer has a great gem-like clarity to it. Minimal to no lacing. Aroma like that of charred embers, oakiness, and a savory characteristic. Like their other selections, the flavor is pleasantly complex. Charred wood, molasses, brown bread, smoked cheese, and peppercorn notes can be detected within the mix. The finish is soft, with a faint bitterness. Medium bodied with a noticeable ABV. So far, this is my favorite of the three Schlenkerla Rauchbiers I have tasted...

Serving type: bottle

05-19-2013 22:51:42 | More by Neorebel

Jwale73

Rhode Island

3.94/5  rDev -3.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

500ml bottle served in a pilsener glass. A slight gusher off the bottle pop. Pours a dull amber hue with a loose, fizzy, one-inch, cream-colored head the sizzles and pops as it dissipates into a broken slick. Nose expresses smoked, salt pork, some malty sweetness and a hint of toffee in the background. Taste is really quite interesting - the malt and toffee come out in the foreground, with the smoked, salt pork pleasantly integrated into the background - a juxtaposition of the nose. Mouthfeel is light-medium in body with a pleasant, even carbonation and some residual saltiness. Overall, an interesting beer - not my favorite from Schlenkerla, but a pretty unique example of the style.

Serving type: bottle

05-13-2013 00:27:28 | More by Jwale73

BeerForMuscle

New Jersey

4.25/5  rDev +4.2%

05-12-2013 19:50:23 | More by BeerForMuscle

mikeburd1128

New Jersey

3.5/5  rDev -14.2%

05-12-2013 17:08:38 | More by mikeburd1128

tjsdomer2

Illinois

4.73/5  rDev +15.9%
look: 5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.75

Appearance: Caramel syrup with fiery carbonation. Incredible lacing. Really one of the best I have ever seen.

Smell: Salt and pepper covering notes of peat and scotch. I would like a bit more punch.

Taste/Mouthfeel: Tastes like a cigar...there's that much smoke. Hints of bacon/pork fat...ok...more than hints...more like obvious overtones. The smoke really makes this worth it. Crisp/active feeling, but a tad flat in the finish, most likely due to the overwhelming heavy body.

Overall: I could possibly justify calling this my favorite beer ever.

Serving type: on-tap

05-10-2013 04:01:24 | More by tjsdomer2

abeaulieu

Massachusetts

3.5/5  rDev -14.2%

05-06-2013 01:13:45 | More by abeaulieu

Gonzoillini

Illinois

4.25/5  rDev +4.2%

05-02-2013 23:36:43 | More by Gonzoillini

DenverLogan

Colorado

4.11/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

From bottle into Maudite tulip glass.
Pours a gold - copper with modest head, significant bubbles on side of glass.
Aroma of liquid smoke, sour wheat, rye.
Moderate carbonation and mouthfeel.
Flavors of sweet malts and liquid smoke...slight notes of fennel, powdered sugar, Indian spices, floral and straw hops.
OK...so I'm an admitted fan of Schlenkerla even though the smoke is often off the charts (hint...age it 3 years and it'll smooth out, all their flavors mellow out wonderfully with age), and this one is as intriguing as the others, but different. As a doppelbock this is way smoky and flavor-wise bodacious, but also very drinkable to those that appreciate a good smoked brew.

Serving type: bottle

05-01-2013 02:39:00 | More by DenverLogan

2GOOFY

California

4/5  rDev -2%

05-01-2013 02:22:58 | More by 2GOOFY

Lugenbeast

North Carolina

3.75/5  rDev -8.1%

04-29-2013 00:19:45 | More by Lugenbeast

AltBock

Ohio

3.83/5  rDev -6.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

16.9 oz. bottle with the standard Schlenkerla label. This version is a dark forest green with a silver border. Inside the rectangular label is the name of the beer in German, but it was written in some white hard to read old school weird font lettering. Below the name of the beer is a wreath made of leaves and acorns. The back dark forest green label contains a lengthy description of the beer and all the mandatory US information. Missing from the labels is a best before date or a bottle code.

When poured into a Paulaner Salvator Pilsner glass, this smoky beer was a crystal clear amber with some faint tangerine orange highlights along the sides. The initial head of foam was about 3/4 of an inch in height and cotton white in color. This cotton white head of foam had pretty good retention that left behind a tiny skim of foam and a few small blots of lace around the glass. I'm pretty sure that I haven't had a crystal amber Doppelbock before.

The aroma was smoky as hell! It was as strong as their other smoked beers. The first smoky aroma that came pouring out was the hickory smoked bacon. Behind the bacon was some smoked ham, beech wood, a dab of smoked sausage, a pinch of black pepper, a touch of smoked malts, and a subtle whiff of green olives. It smelled like every smoky aroma had a sweet undertone to it. The aroma was unique for a Doppelbock, but not a Rauchbier.

The taste was smoky, but not as smoky as the aroma indicated the taste might be. The first taste that I got was the smoked malts. Waiting behinds the smoked malts was some hickory smoked bacon, a little smoked ham, a dash of black pepper, and a pinch of beech wood. While all the smoky aroma had a sweet undertone to them, the smoky tastes had a slightly bitter undertone to them. If the beer's tastes were as smoky as the beer's aroma, this beer would tasted like you were drinking a beer from a smoke stack or from a pit BBQ.

Even though this was a 8% ABV smoky beer, it was more a medium bodied beer than a full bodied beer. The aftertaste was smoky of course. Did you expect anything different? The aftertaste of smoked ham, bacon, and malts lingered on for a little bit. I had a hard time tasting and feeling the beer's somewhat high 8% ABV.

To me it tasted like the brewery combined the Rauchbier style with the Doppelbock style. A part of me wished that there were more smoky flavors in the taste and aftertaste. I think my taste buds were jealous with what my nose smelled. It was the aroma of this beer that made it for me. Would I drink this beer again? Probably not. If I want a smoky beer, I'll order a Rauchbier or a Smoked Porter. If I want a Doppelbock, I'll order a Doppelbock. I don't want to cut any corners and get another bottle of a Smoky Doppelbock.

Serving type: bottle

04-25-2013 02:47:48 | More by AltBock

drgonzo2k2

California

4/5  rDev -2%

04-20-2013 14:28:43 | More by drgonzo2k2

tectactoe

Michigan

3.91/5  rDev -4.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

Pours a deep amber color around the edges with a noticeably darker, copper center. Mostly murky and hazy with only slight transparency in the outer-amber crust. The cap is a weird shade of beige, possibly with some grey tint to it; decent retention and mild lacing left near the very top of the glass. Plenty of carbonation bubbles stream to the top of the beer - this one started slowly bubbling over after popping the cap.

As expected, a deep blanket of smokey goodness cleanses my nostrils the second I begin to bring the beer to my face. The smoke is deep and robust with a soft, underlying sweetness. It's got the "meaty" vibe going just a bit, hinting at smoked sausage or bacon. However the smoke seems a little sweeter in this as compared to the marzen and urbock. The malts seem to be heavier as they inject a caramel and toffee-like sweetness to the mix. In this sense, the smoke isn't quite as "forward" as some of the other Schlenkerla beers, rather it's more entwined. Strong notes of oak come out halfway through as well, and get even more forward upon the warming of the beer.

After my first sip, I'm surprised to find that the smoke flavor is much lighter on the palate than the nose would lead you to think. It's definitely still a huge contributing factor to the flavor, though; liquid smoke, soft sweetness, lightly burnt campfire wood, oak. The smoke flavors show unexpected complexity, actually. Equal in power, however, are the malts; caramely sweet, lightly sticky like toffee, and granting a substantial plum-like fruitness on the very tail end. Also in the finish is big-time bread and a lightly fading, sweet smoke and burnt wood flavor. Alcohol undetectable at first but provides some warmth halfway through the brew. Medium bodied, lightly sticky mouth feel with lots of carbonation.

Pretty damn good - if I had to choose, I'd say I like this better than the Marzen but not quite as much as the Urbock. The smoke flavors are a little more balanced in the way that the malt character seems to be much more "loaded up" in this one. The oak makes a very solid contribution to the flavor as well. Very enjoyable to drink - Heller-Trum is quickly becoming one of my favorite overseas breweries.

Serving type: bottle

04-14-2013 16:32:40 | More by tectactoe

buschbeer

Ohio

4.19/5  rDev +2.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.25

1 pint 0.9 ounce bottle
Served in a pilsner glass

A - It is amber in color with some suspended yeast. It looks kind of cool with carbonation bubbles rising from the laser etchings and the yeast falling. It is topped with a couple inches of beige head.

S - It smells like smoked, salted pork. Got dam it makes me want some bacon!

T - At first I taste nothing except salty pork treats. Eventually, some floral hops and malt break through to say hi.

M - It is pretty thin for a dopplebock.

O - I like rauchbiers. This is no exception. It may have invigorated my love. This beer leaves me craving salty snacks and pork products. This would be great with barbecue or anything with bacon involved.

Serving type: bottle

04-14-2013 00:27:24 | More by buschbeer

BEERMILER12

Maine

4.16/5  rDev +2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

A: Pours a deep amber color with almost no head

S: Very smoky. Notes of smoked meat, oak, and damp fire pit (in a good way). Also get quite a bit of maltiness

T: Follows the nose. Smokiness compliments the huge amount of maltiness quite well. Get notes of smoke, oak, saltiness/meatiness, fruitiness, sweetness, and a touch of alcohol. Finishes with light smoke and sweetness

M: Medium-full bodied with moderate carbonation. Smooth and slightly thick

O: A very good smoked doppelbock with just the right amount of smoke to compliment the huge amounts of malt used. One of my favorites when it's available

Serving type: bottle

04-10-2013 03:17:21 | More by BEERMILER12

JohnnyHopps

Indiana

4.31/5  rDev +5.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

As a big fan of smoke beers, this may be my favorite from Schlenkerla. The fact that doppelbocks are among my favorite styles earns this beer points as well. Poured into a glass, the beer had a murky brown color with variations. The aroma reminded me most of smoked ham. Even though I do not eat/like ham, I love the aroma. In the initial taste, one gets the best qualities of a doppelbock and a smoke beer. The sweetness of the malt jumps to the front, but it is nicely balanced by the character of the smoke. In both case, the sizes of the taste are huge while balancing each other out. The malts sour slightly in the aftertaste, while the smoke lingers on the roof of the mouth. The thick texture allows the smoke to stick. This is a well-developed smoke beer, and a fabulous example of a doppelbock.

Serving type: bottle

03-31-2013 23:25:44 | More by JohnnyHopps

lackenhauser

Maryland

4.13/5  rDev +1.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

Started to gush upon opening. I was at first concerned about infection. Nice golden amber color. Very clean looking. Moderate amount of smoke in the aroma. Mild malt behind all that. Big huge smoke flavor. Label says oak but I really get the cherrywood smoke in there. Sweeness from the malt. Very clean even with the huge smoke flavor. Damn solid mouthfeel. More and more enjoyable as it goes down. Really worth trying.

Serving type: bottle

03-29-2013 01:52:36 | More by lackenhauser

JMS1512

New Jersey

4.5/5  rDev +10.3%

03-29-2013 01:49:01 | More by JMS1512

MeneerBeerSnob

District of Columbia

4.25/5  rDev +4.2%

03-29-2013 00:24:40 | More by MeneerBeerSnob

cbutova

Massachusetts

4.08/5  rDev 0%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

I'm assuming this beer was not just made in 2009. Big fan of this brewery.

A- Poured into a chalice from the 16.9oz bottle, not exactly proper but fine by me. Body has a dark red-brown hue and is pretty much opaque. Small white head forms with some fizzy bubbles and decent retention. Thin, creamy ring leaves spotty lace.

S- Who would have guessed? Smoky. This smoke reminds me more of a campfire than the others, not salty and seaweed like the peat. Very strong smoky fire and some dark fruits and caramel in the background.

T- Some sweetness from the malts comes through here and definitely more layered than the aroma. The campfire, burning log smoke is integrated in with toasted brown malts, candied dark fruit, brown sugar, actual oak wood, caramel and some esters. Something like citrus here and there too.

MF- A nice and silky, creamy feel overall. It feels nice and thick which works well with the sweetness and big flavors present. Smoke in the finish, like charred wood chips.

Someday I will do a side by side of all of this breweries beers. This one seems like one of the more complex ones, maybe because of the higher ABV and darker malts. What a great brewery.

Serving type: bottle

03-28-2013 02:13:00 | More by cbutova

jricharc

Virginia

4.25/5  rDev +4.2%

03-25-2013 15:03:34 | More by jricharc

dar482

New York

4.48/5  rDev +9.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

It comes in a copper, clear color.

The aroma is of huge oak smoke.

The flavor has a huge lager maltiness. The mouthfeel is clean with a huge smoke bite. It almost has a bacon mouthfeel with how much smoke there is in there. There's a breadiness to big the beer lots of character, along with the smokiness.

I do somewhat prefer the Rauchbier Marzen because the darker malt flavors make it so drinkable. However, this is quite amazing.

Serving type: on-tap

03-25-2013 04:16:24 | More by dar482

Rast

Maryland

4.21/5  rDev +3.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.25

Bottle watching the Wichita State Shockers knock off (1) Gonzaga.

Purchased on recommendation of Matthew of Virginia Wine Warehaus in Charlottesville, VA fame. His admonition: don't let Beer Advocate hype strangle yr taste & instincts. Respect. Pours a nice amber. Pretty ho hum. No indication of the tidal wave of taste to come. Odor wafts up with soft smells of smoke. Where there's smoke there's FIRE. The taste is immediate: charred, smoked, burnt, formerly on fire. Swallowing doesn't erase the memory of the inferno. Years can't erase the memory.

Serving type: bottle

03-24-2013 03:16:53 | More by Rast

egrace84

Illinois

4/5  rDev -2%

03-20-2013 01:15:52 | More by egrace84