Aecht Schlenkerla Eiche - Brauerei Heller-Trum / Schlenkerla

rarbring

Sweden

4.03/5  rDev -1.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

The brew is clear amber, an off-white rather small head, some lacing and some curtains.

The smell is clearly smoky, a bit of tar and peat, some wood. Very much like a traditional wood sauna.

Upfront sweet, brown sugar, sweet bread, smoked meat, sweet sour bitter nuances (mango chutney?).

Low carbonation, soft and oily, a rather dry finish.

A pleasant moderated rauchbier.

Serving type: bottle

12-03-2010 17:31:05 | More by rarbring

LinusBohman

Sweden

4.58/5  rDev +12.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

The Aecht Schlenkerla Rauchbier holds a special place in my beerheart as it was one of the beers that really sparked my geekiness and dedication to beers that gives you something that you didn´t knew beer could.
Therefore I was very excited when I saw this one at the Swedish systembolaget.

A: Amber coloured with a very light white head that disapears without a trace after a few minutes. Some bubbles at the beginning but they also vanishes after the pour.

S: Hay, bacon, smoke, bbq meat. With a hint of all these being glaced with honey.

T: This is quite complex. The taste at the top of my tounge is quite fruity, like pears and peaches. Then theres the smoked saltiness rounded off with a sweet aftertaste and just a hint of bitterness. The best taste in all is this taste of smoked meat with a sweet aftertaste. A marriage between my two gastric favourites, beer and smoked meat.

M: Oh so smooth, medium body but the very resignated carbonation makes this beer rest very gentle on my tounge. It´s really making love to my pallet ;)

D: I love most eatable and drinkable things smoked. Be it meat, whiskey, cheese or beer. This beer has a great balance and if I didn´t know I would never guess that it has as high ABV as it has.
I could drink this a lot and every day. Luckily for my health I don´t have a limitless supply.
Just a great beer in all and a fantastic smoked beer.

Serving type: bottle

12-02-2010 18:38:30 | More by LinusBohman

Bighuge

Minnesota

4.9/5  rDev +20.1%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Hazy orange copper body. Thin bubbly beige head. Lace is sparse. Beautiful smokey nose. Hate to say it again, but like a distant campfire. Or actually, not so distant. Oaky and greasy. I love it. This beer is fantastic. Nobody does Rauchbier like Schlenkerla. And I mean nobody. I can't believe how easy this goes down for an 8% beer. The richness of a dopplebock isn't quite where I was expecting it, but the flavor is delicious. Malts are pretty rich and the smokiness is complex and soothing. Very slightly phenolic, which adds a dimension, and also slightly oily and bitter. Awesome beer.

Serving type: bottle

12-02-2010 05:02:22 | More by Bighuge

Ego

New Jersey

4.58/5  rDev +12.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

http://www.schlenkerla.de/rauchbier/sorten/schlenkerlaeichee.html

eyes...
lovely copper glow, active carbonation, head dissipates quickly but the carbonation is ample to make up for that. pretty straight forward and well done showing the craft of generations of brewers.

nose...
not quite burnt embers, not quite smoked meat, somewhere nestled comfortably in between, a nice malty backbone lies underneath the mist, the smoke is mouth watering and tantalizing

taste etc...
coats the mouth with malt-o-rama, the smoke is subtle and lingers nicely in the background, the alcohol warms the belly but is not overpowering in anyway flavor wise. the smoke builds like a slow burn from spicy food... the more you sip the better the aftertaste lingers and caresses, the lingering smoke even fills your nose well after you are done. the body is perfect, existing in a realm between heavy and just light enough. There is not one off note in this brew.

verdict?
craftsmanship, a beautiful example of the style.

Serving type: bottle

12-02-2010 05:02:17 | More by Ego

champ103

Texas

4.38/5  rDev +7.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A: Pours a clear dark reddish/amber color. At first a two finger white head slowly rises, and sticks around for a minute. Some lace is left. Looks nice.
S: That huge meaty Bamberg smoke is huge at first. A lot more complexities come out as this warms though. Toasted malt, chocolate, wood. Got to love meat in a bottle.
T: Smoke of coarse. Though much more balanced than any of the other Schlenkerla Rauchbier's. Toasted malt, lightly sweet, chocolate, wood. Everything is really well balanced and incorporated.
M/D: A medium to full body. Velvety, silky smooth and creamy. Easy to drink. I can not make out any alcohol. Just smoky goodness. One of the few Rauchbier's I can enjoy many of.

I have never been a big Rauchbier fan. The smoke has always overpowered everything for my tastes, and that is especially true with this brewery. I have always been interested in the style in small samples however. This is just great through and through. Everything is really well incorporated. Highly recommended, and the best example of the style I have come across.

Serving type: bottle

11-29-2010 22:59:50 | More by champ103

Bung

North Carolina

4.3/5  rDev +5.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

500ml. Reddish/amber pour, nearly no head, just some off white whisps.

Smell is of light burning leaves and some caramel, malt.

Smokey bacon malt. Sounds weird but works very well. Very light ham and oak. Faintest amount of red fruits. Finishes dry smokey, peaty and man does it linger.

Very smooth lighter side of mid bodied. More carbonation than the appearance would give. Absolutely no alcohol presence, but it is unique. You definetely need to be ready for what you are getting.

Was a fan of the Marzen, this one is more refined and maybe even better.

Serving type: bottle

11-29-2010 02:28:53 | More by Bung

wchollif

North Carolina

4/5  rDev -2%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Pours a clear amber with little head

Nose is SMOKE for days. Smells like your clothes the morning after sitting around a campfire, and I like it!

Mouthfeel is a bit light for my taste, very little carbonation. Not getting a dopplebock feel from this, lighter than I expected.

Finish is good, but you have to like the smoke.

Serving type: bottle

11-28-2010 20:12:16 | More by wchollif

jsh420

Illinois

4.3/5  rDev +5.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

pours bright clear amber copper gold with a 1 finger head that faded and left no lacing

smells like campfire - smoked meat and some kinda of medical ointment (carmex)

taste is less smokey and more doppelbock fruity apples pears malt - out of this world flavors

mouthfeel is medium body with good carbonation

srinkability - great - by far one of the best smoked beers on the market and now on my list of must get xmas beers

Serving type: bottle

11-28-2010 04:57:45 | More by jsh420

metter98

New York

4.38/5  rDev +7.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A: The beer is clear light amber in color and poured with a thin white head that quickly fades away leaving only a ring of bubbles around the edge of the glass and some lacy patterns of bubbles in the center. A light amount of carbonation is visible.
S: There are smoky aromas in the nose, which intensify as the beer warms up and also have some hints of cured meats such as bacon.
T: Like the smell, the taste is dominated by smoky flavors and has some malty sweetness along with some hints of raisins.
M: It feels medium- to full-bodied, smooth and rather thick on the palate and has a light amount of carbonation. There is a bit of warming from the alcohol.
D: The beer goes down smoothly and is rather easy to drink because the smokiness is not overpowering and well incorporated into the smell and taste.

Serving type: bottle

11-27-2010 21:35:16 | More by metter98

crossovert

Wisconsin

4.43/5  rDev +8.6%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

500ml bottle.

It pours a different color than most doppelbocks, it is a heller doppelbock It it a beaut though. t is a clear reddish orange with a foamy, but creamy white head that sticks for a nice while and recedes to some nice lacing.

It smells very smokey with campfire, smoked bacon, and smoked oak. There is a subtle kiss of noble hops hiding in the background.

The taste isn't as smoky as the smell but it is loaded with smoke overtones. This one legitimately has a slight taste of bacon with some syrup. The smokiness is in check, although it lingers with a bit of campfire in the finish. The malts are big and sweet, more so then some of the other Shlenkerla beers and it provides a nice balance to the smokiness.

The mouthfeel is thick and viscous, it makes this one a mouthful, but a pleasant one.

The helles is the only thing better from this great brewery.

Serving type: bottle

11-27-2010 04:58:41 | More by crossovert

oberon

North Carolina

4.03/5  rDev -1.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Great to see this bottled offering here in Greensboro.Poured into a 1/2 liter stein a clear bronze with a fluffy white head,the lightest doppelbock beer I have ever saw but its clarity is nice.smoked summer sausage really sticks out to me in the nose along with a bit of iron.Smoked meat flavors abound,I mean it tastes like my moms summer sausage from back in the day,the oak makes this beer different than the others Schlenkerla beers.It tastes like oak fired pork,its an aquired taste,I used to cringe at this style of beer,now I search out this style,not for the faint of heart.

Serving type: bottle

11-17-2010 21:50:37 | More by oberon

glid02

Georgia

4.33/5  rDev +6.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On-tap at the Brick Store.

Pours a lighter-than-expected amber-brown color with a one-finger cream-colored head. The head recedes into a wispy layer on top leaving solid lacing.

Smells of smooth and slightly bready caramel malts with solid amounts of smoked malts. Also present are very small amounts of toastiness.

Tastes similar to how it smells, though note quite as well-defined. Moderately sweet caramel malt flavors with hints of toastiness kick things off. Joining in shortly thereafter are solid amounts of smoked malt flavors - equal parts leather and smoked meat, better balanced than most others produced by this brewery. The smokiness carries through to a moderately bitter finish.

Mouthfeel is good. It's got a nice thickness with smooth carbonation.

Drinkability is also good. I had no problems finishing my glass and could have another.

Overall this isn't my favorite smoked beer made by Schlenkerla but you could make the argument that it's the smoothest and best-balanced. Worth a shot.

Serving type: on-tap

10-12-2010 01:20:42 | More by glid02

JonB1958

Illinois

4.72/5  rDev +15.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

On tap at the Bavarian Lodge, poured into a Schenkerla tulip.

A gorgeous clear copper pour with a nice thick head.

Like all the Rauch beers, this one was a smoky, campfire odor to it, yet the oak smoke is different than the typical beechwood smoke; still pronounced and even frightening to some, but more subtle and a little less harsh

The mouthfeel is surprisingly clean and crisp, and the flavor is sublime. It's smokey, of course, but very balanced, and makes the beer quite drinkable. If you've never had Rauch beer before, just make sure you take a second sip!

I've become a big fan of Schlenkerla lately, and this is the best I've had. A real winner.

Serving type: on-tap

04-18-2010 15:03:24 | More by JonB1958

dirtylou

Washington

4.45/5  rDev +9.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

on tap at the Malt House - glad i looked this one up prior to heading over there, though its hard to resist a beer with the words "oat" and "smoke" in the name (alias : Schlenkerla Oak Smoke Bock)

appearance: surprisingly bright orange body, full white foam head - was expecting something darker for some reason

smell: holy moses - liquid smoke, char, smoked meat, oak malt, high potency

taste: open to interpretation - some tasted smoked pork, others summer sausage. Every sip is like an exploration through the spectrum of smoked meats. a little pepper, heavy oak, spicy, some fruit sweetness buried underneath. very interesting

mouthfeel: spicy, biting, leaves a lingering aftertaste of smoke

drinkability: seems like it could be tough but i finished this one with ease

Serving type: on-tap

03-06-2010 19:31:42 | More by dirtylou

augustgarage

California

4.2/5  rDev +2.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

On-tap at Blue Palms Brewhouse. Served in a 5oz snifter.

Clear dark orange body with faint amber highlights. Small off-white head with excellent lacing.

Smoke (obviously), roast malt, faint tobacco, and a light floral note in the nose.

Fruity undercurrent to the smoke along with a solid clean malt bill. Sweet, and delicately spicy mid-palate. Medium-dry finish.

Not quite medium-bodied. Mildly astringent.

The most balanced beer I've had thus far from this brewery...

Serving type: on-tap

02-18-2010 06:59:43 | More by augustgarage

MasterSki

Illinois

3.93/5  rDev -3.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Had this on-tap at Local Option. Served in a Bell's tulip.

A - Poured with two fingers of creamy white foam that had excellent retention, but only a few spots of lace. The color was lighter than I expected from a smoked doppelbock, and was almost a transparent dark golden when held up to the light. Still it was quite attractive.

S - The name doesn't lie. Smoke. Oak. Very meaty, with tons of hickory and implied bacon. This is a little more intense than the fastenbier and I miss the offsetting malt sweetness that helps to balance things out.

T - The taste is more in line with what I was hoping for, with some nice caramel malt character supporting the big smoky meat and wood flavors. There's a bitter, tannic finish that jibes with the oak flavor, and an aftertaste of smokiness and lightly glazed ham.

M - Medium body, moderate carbonation, somewhat sticky. There's a definite residual feel of smokiness - not surprising I guess.

D - I don't like this as much as the Fastenbier, but it's better than the Urbock. In general there's just too much smoke and not enough balance. Glad I got to try it once, but not something I feel the need to have again. If you dig rauchbier, this is definitely a must-try, but I doubt you needed my endorsement to know that.

Serving type: on-tap

02-05-2010 15:38:36 | More by MasterSki

tigg924

Massachusetts

4.7/5  rDev +15.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Had on tap at Julian's Providence

Appearance: 1/4 inch head, clear, black in color

Smell: smells like smoked oak wood

Taste: alcohol, rum, smoked oak, and a bit of dark fruit

Mouthfeel: medium bodied, semi-sweet, boozy, medium/low carbonation

Drinkability: This is right up there with my favorite beers of all time. Just an amazing brew. The smoke is there but not overpowering. It sneaks in very subtly. The oak is also there but not too strong. Perfectly balanced. I would love to see this be a regular offering.

Serving type: on-tap

02-05-2010 13:53:12 | More by tigg924

largadeer

California

4.3/5  rDev +5.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Draft at Gourmet Haus Staudt in Redwood City.

Eiche pours a dark chestnut brown, beautifully clear, topped by two fingers of off-white head.

The nose is a blast of bold, spicy oak and smoked malt. There's an undercurrent of caramel malt, dark fruit and a hint of mineral. The smoky, meaty quality is slightly subdued here compared to other Schlenkerla offerings, but the oak adds a unique and interesting element.

Similar flavors reveal themselves on the tongue; spicy, drying oak, savory smoke, caramel sweetness and a touch of raisin-like fruitiness. There's a bit of that signature Schlenkerla meatiness, but it's surprisingly restrained here. The oak smoked malt lends an interesting character to the beer; it's spicy, almost astringent. Hops are absent from the flavor, but there's an assertive bitterness in the finish that's a bit bolder than most Schlenkerla offerings.

The restrained smoke, expertly balanced sweet and bitter flavors and light body make this a remarkably drinkable 8% beer. I'll be heading back for more before the keg dies.

Serving type: on-tap

02-02-2010 01:53:54 | More by largadeer

TheManiacalOne

Rhode Island

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

On-tap 1/27/2010 at Track 84 in Warwick, RI, served in a tulip glass.

A: The beer is a light reddish brown color, with a short off-white head that fades slowly and leaves a thick lace on the glass.

S: The aroma is mostly of smoked meat and caramelized malts with a faint touch of hops.

T: The taste is very smoky as you would expect with a strong meaty flavor that isn't overdone. Then a mild caramel sweetness comes in with a mild but complementary hops presence. The malt character is hearty and the smokiness tones down a bit allowing everything to balance more after it sits for a few minutes. The after-taste is slightly smoky and slightly sweet.

M: Crisp and smooth, medium body, medium carbonation, finish is slightly sticky.

D: Tasty, goes down easily, not too filling, good kick, good representation of style, yet another nice smoked beer from this brewer to drink for a while.

Serving type: bottle

01-29-2010 20:40:53 | More by TheManiacalOne

jjfancybeers

Illinois

4.55/5  rDev +11.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

I need to review this brew so I can quit thinking about it.

Consumed 1/22/2010 @ The Map Room

Served in .5L Schlenkerla glass

Pours a deep amber (superb clarity). 2-finger, appetizing head stands strong over the rim and fades slowly; swirls of lacing left around the glass, down to the last sip - one big patch looked like a "guy on a penny-farthing bike" according to my notes. Huh?

Aroma is complex - the obvious (and glorious) smell of smoke is there, mingling with caramel/raisin and slow-roasting brisket.

Taste follows suit - a wave of smoky caramel richness up front, very faint plum/chocolate notes as well. Substantial and delicious grilled brisket (summer sausage?) makes its way into the mix mid-palate alongside a hint of vanilla before more smoke and a touch of spicy noble hop bitterness in the subtle, dry finish.

Mouthfeel is almost creamy...medium-bodied. Not too light, not too heavy.

Regular doppelbocks can be a bit sweet for me - this one is very well-attenuated, showcasing the unique Schlenkerla malt flavor while ratcheting-up the drinkabilty to an obscene level. Seek it out.

Serving type: on-tap

01-27-2010 21:49:57 | More by jjfancybeers

ThirstyBird

Germany

4.33/5  rDev +6.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

On tap at Julians in Providence RI

Pours a clear bright amber on the reddish side. Nice full light tan head stays aloft and creates beautiful lacing.

The nose is big of bacon, smoke, sweet rich malt. Makes me think of smokes Gouda too.

The flavor is not as intense as the aroma but I feel like that is a good thing. The flavor follows the nose but in a somewhat restrained way.

The body is medium and the carbonation is fine and silky. One of the nicest feeling brew that I've ever experienced.

This was really a treat. The bar had several other very nice offerings and I came close to ignoring those just to have another Aecht Schlenkerla Eiche.

Serving type: on-tap

01-25-2010 04:14:51 | More by ThirstyBird

jrallen34

Illinois

4.33/5  rDev +6.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I had this on tap at the Map Room into a schlenkerla glass.

The beer is a pretty clear gold with a white head, decent head and retention.

The aroma is awesome, just what you'd expect. Tons of smoke and pork, just like it should be.

The taste is like the aroma, tons of smoke and pork, mixed with some light grass. It is wonderful and way to easy to drink.

Serving type: on-tap

01-24-2010 20:52:31 | More by jrallen34

plaid75

New York

4.38/5  rDev +7.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Poured a deep copper hue with a one finger foamy white head. There was good retention and lacing.

The smell featured a meaty and smokey malt with a touch of sweetness.

The taste was upfront smokey with a lingering sweetness.

The mouthfeel was toward the fuller side of the style.

Overall another tasty smokey beauty from this proud brewery.

Serving type: on-tap

01-24-2010 00:35:26 | More by plaid75

beertooth

Illinois

4.33/5  rDev +6.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

On tap at the Maproom.
Served in a Schlenkerla glass.
$7.00 for the pour.

This beer is a wonderful clear gold with a creamy finger of head that leaves some whispy lacing.

The nose is soft and sweet smoked malts, hay, grassy hops.

The taste follows with sweet smoked malts, some earthy hop bitterness, less sticky dank smoke than most of their other beers. It's quite tasty!

Mouthfeel is medium bodied with a lower level of carbonation. It's soft and somewhat creamy.

Awesome stuff! Schlenkerla did it again. My glass went down way too easy.

Serving type: on-tap

01-21-2010 01:17:50 | More by beertooth

vacax

California

3.88/5  rDev -4.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

On tap at Beachwood BBQ. Pours deep amber in color with a finger of preposterously dense white head with lengthy retention levels that left weblike lacing in its wake. The aroma is smokey, which is no revelation here, but underneath this I could pick up some subtleties of the underlying beer such as caramel malt and a crisp lager character. The flavor is much the same, the smoke dominates at first, but a doppelbock lies beneath it with a moderately malty backbone and crisp finish. Medium bodied and surprisingly bubbly as well. Interesting beer for sure, I think this type pairs better with food in general, but a very good example of rauchbier.

Serving type: on-tap

01-16-2010 18:17:29 | More by vacax