Aecht Schlenkerla Rauchbier Märzen - Brauerei Heller-Trum / Schlenkerla

Tawnos

Washington

3.03/5  rDev -25%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 2

Poured from a bottle into my Duvel tulip glass.

Smell: This was immediately noticeable and the first thing to strike me. The beer smells like smoked meat. Worchestire and liquid smoke. This will either be really bad, or surprisingly good. I'll try to rate it based on what this style is supposed to be, not personal preference.

Appearance: Dark like a dopplebock, ruby brown in color, practically no head, no lacing. The beer leaves a film when swirled, as if there will be a lot of sugary malts.

Taste: Have you ever had baby back pork ribs grilled over an open beach fire? Thats what this beer tastes like. It's semi sweet, very smokey. The taste and immediate aftertaste would be fine if the longer aftertaste didn't leave a lingering bitterness that seems out of place with the smoothe smoke and sweeter foretaste.

Mouthfeel: Average. It's a bit bubbly, nothing special nor horrible.

Drinkability: I won't finish this bottle. This is either a taste I have not yet acquired, or the beer itself just isn't enjoyable enough. I'll likely try the style again in the future to see if I like it more, but this one is mediocre at best.

Serving type: bottle

04-25-2006 04:29:51 | More by Tawnos

ronin926

Illinois

4.5/5  rDev +11.4%

06-20-2013 05:01:03 | More by ronin926

raythealeman

Connecticut

4.75/5  rDev +17.6%

06-20-2013 00:59:05 | More by raythealeman

Riik3

Georgia

4.5/5  rDev +11.4%

06-19-2013 22:45:49 | More by Riik3

TheBeeraholic

Ontario (Canada)

1.25/5  rDev -69.1%

06-15-2013 18:44:12 | More by TheBeeraholic

IchLiebeBier

Virginia

4/5  rDev -1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance: Medium Dark

Aroma: Smoky malt

Taste: Smoky, herbal

Remarks: One of my earliest reviews when I started this whole project. Bought at Heinrich's Supergetränkemarkt in Kornwestheim. Also had on tap at the source in Bamberg.

Did not score A, T, S, M at that time; disregard those scores

Serving type: bottle

06-15-2013 01:17:08 | More by IchLiebeBier

Sturmthis

Ohio

3.75/5  rDev -7.2%

06-13-2013 23:02:49 | More by Sturmthis

diverite

Connecticut

4.5/5  rDev +11.4%

06-13-2013 14:33:04 | More by diverite

backphish

Texas

4.75/5  rDev +17.6%

06-10-2013 02:25:33 | More by backphish

Beer4Baltimore

Maryland

4.7/5  rDev +16.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.75

Poured from a pint bottle into a Weizen Glass.
A - reddish brown with a rapidly fading head of about a fingers height.
S - wow, smoked sausage. Hickory smoke. Forest fire from a distance, it actually reminded me of driving through Yellowstone when they had the massive fire in the late 80's. Incredible barbeque smoke that you can taste in the air.
T - the smoke is slightly subdued in the taste versus the smell. Oh it is there without denial but not as overwhelming as the nose. Smoky, lightly malty, and with a touch of sweetness. It reminds me of sampling powdered smoke aditives when cooking.
M - smooth, light carbonation, moderately oily feel.
O - awesome smell, great taste

I seriously need to grill some sausage to go with this beer.

Serving type: bottle

06-08-2013 23:12:47 | More by Beer4Baltimore

TWHartman

Minnesota

4.75/5  rDev +17.6%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75

A- Dark deep red with a not-quite tan head, nice and thick with good retention. Beautiful beer.

S- Smells like smoked meat, like a spiced ham. Faint malt in background. Fantastic.

T- Very smooth, spicy smoke flavor, not at all overwhelming. An almost salty finish, makes me want to make another gulp. Malt roast flavor in the finish as well.

M- Nice dry finish makes this very drinkable despite the full flavor

O- This is the best smoke beer I have ever had, it defines the style for a reason. Most smoke beers I drink are way too heavy handed, this is subtle, balanced and delicious.

Serving type: bottle

06-06-2013 03:34:05 | More by TWHartman

BierStein711

Illinois

4.4/5  rDev +8.9%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Bottle into snifter

I had this beer before, however I had no idea which brew it was from Schlenkerla at the time.

All I can say is: wow!

Appearance, jet black to dark brown, tan fast reducing head, high carbonation at first.

Smell: sausage, smoke, herb, oak, very herbal smell like a porter or stout

Taste: smoked sausage, light on oak at the finish

Mouthfeel: Thick, this is a sipper, yet not quite an elixir.

Overall, this is my first review for a rauchbier. I can't wait to explore the style more, and more. Almost time to restock the fridge.

Cheers!

Serving type: bottle

06-03-2013 05:59:44 | More by BierStein711

paulys55

Pennsylvania

4.25/5  rDev +5.2%

06-02-2013 01:44:03 | More by paulys55

Darkmagus82

Montana

4.15/5  rDev +2.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from bottle into a pint glass

Appearance – The beer pours a reddish - copper color with a two finger billowy beige head. The head fades relatively quickly to leave some spotty lacing on the sides of the glass.

Smell – The nose is smacked with tons of big smokiness with some aromas of char. It smells of a fire and with hints of a salty aroma as well as a little bit of grass it gives an almost smoked meat like smell overall.

Taste – While the nose was massive in smoke the taste was a little tuned down, although still nice and smoky. The taste starts out with some smoky and malty flavors mixed with a bit of a lighter fruit taste. The smoke as well as the fruit grow a bit stronger in nature and mix with some lighter grassy flavors. Bit of a almost salty meat flavor develop more toward the middle to the end and when mixed with the smoky flavors produce a smoked ham sandwich like taste with a little bit of fruit flavor. Odd, but interesting.

Mouthfeel – The body of the beer is medium to slightly thicker side for a brew of only 5.4 % with a carbonation level that is rather average. Both are rather nice for the style with the slightly chewier body very nicely complimenting the smoked flavors, while the moderate carbonation was great for the overall drinkability.

Overall – Quite a tasty Rachbier with a huge smoky nose but yet rather palatable and pleasing blend of flavors beyond just smoke.

Serving type: bottle

06-01-2013 19:05:55 | More by Darkmagus82

Woodman70

Wisconsin

4.25/5  rDev +5.2%

06-01-2013 02:47:13 | More by Woodman70

FLima

Brazil

4.49/5  rDev +11.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured a brown ruby color with a two finger thick head with good retention.
Incredible predominant smell of smoked bacon and ham.
Flavor is less smoked than suggested by the nose, but still intense. Delicious taste of smoked and roasted malts with hints of bacon and ham, with pine and earthy notes that makes the impossible, possible, a powerful and still refreshing beer.
Dry and bitter aftertaste with a residual smoked flavor and some burnt wood.
Medium body with good carbonation with small bubbles and a crisp sensation.
I love this flavorful and legendary beer. How can you possibly make a brew that tastes like bacon and still is refreshing and very pleasant to drink? Awesome beer, highly recommendable.

Serving type: bottle

06-01-2013 01:50:26 | More by FLima

Ragnarok88

Minnesota

4/5  rDev -1%

05-31-2013 16:00:16 | More by Ragnarok88

Luiz0930

California

4.75/5  rDev +17.6%

05-31-2013 07:39:42 | More by Luiz0930

VbolieuV

Quebec (Canada)

4.5/5  rDev +11.4%

05-31-2013 04:13:27 | More by VbolieuV

bmwats

Louisiana

3.95/5  rDev -2.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

Poured from a 500 ml bottle into a mug.

A: Medium-dark brown. Pours about a 1 finger, foamy, brown-white head. Settles fairly quickly, but leaves a little foamy blanket. Fair spotty lacing, mostly retreats back into the brew.

S: Hearty roasty malt, smoke, and bacon.

T: Smoky roasted malt, bitter pecan.

M: Hearty with a slightly bitter finish. A little shallow in the end, though.

D: Sip and savor.

Atmosphere is pretty good. Nice hue, good head, and a little lacing. Roasty and malty and smoky nose. Bacon is prominent. Roasted malt, bitter pecan, all wrapped up in a smoky blanket. Overall, this is a good quaff.

Serving type: bottle

05-31-2013 03:39:22 | More by bmwats

Cory-WC

Florida

4/5  rDev -1%

05-30-2013 23:50:05 | More by Cory-WC

bsuedekum

Missouri

4.25/5  rDev +5.2%

05-30-2013 22:21:14 | More by bsuedekum

cannunzi

Florida

4.75/5  rDev +17.6%

05-29-2013 20:11:11 | More by cannunzi

clarknova

Germany

4.75/5  rDev +17.6%

05-29-2013 15:20:07 | More by clarknova

PaulBenjamin

Michigan

5/5  rDev +23.8%

05-26-2013 20:49:15 | More by PaulBenjamin