Aecht Schlenkerla Rauchbier Märzen - Brauerei Heller-Trum / Schlenkerla

Jason

Massachusetts

4.22/5  rDev +4.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Presentation: 16.9 fl oz bottle with no freshness date, Brewed According to the Reinheitsgebot 1516 on the label.

Appearance: Dark ruby red amber with a well preserving tan lace, quite inviting to the eye.

Smell: Same smokiness you would get off of a smoked ham or salmon somewhat strong to the nose but not overwhelming, faint malt sweetness also.

Taste: Silky smooth beyond belief, medium to full in body with a mildly chewy malt mouth feel. Smoke character is obviously dominant though some malt sweetness persuades the taste buds. Hop bitterness gives a light bitter twang that keeps everything in perspective. Flavours of smoke malt flex from beginning to end, vague caramel sweetness and a grainy finish wrap this brew up.

Notes: Clean to the taste, smoke everywhere and the quintessential smoked beer that is imported to the US. It’s worth the $3 a bottle, an awesome pairing with a slow cooked Boston Butt a.k.a. pulled pork sandwich on an onion bulky roll. Even a contrast pairing of an aged sharp cheddar cheese would be nice.

Serving type: bottle

02-23-2003 12:16:52 | More by Jason

Todd

Massachusetts

4.43/5  rDev +9.7%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Presentation: 1pint 6oz fat brown bottle. No freshness date. Poured into the proper German glassware. Let stand to warm before serving.

Appearance: Dark caramel beer with a patchy, creamy, off-white foam head. Keeps a respectable lace with some gentle stick.

Smell: Wonderful smoke aroma of meat and spices -- yes, very jerky-like. Aroma isn't overpowering at all, just very unique and pleasant ... and amazing.

Taste: Full-bodied, creamy and smooth on the palate. A dry beer, overall, with a low level of malt sweetness, well-attenuated -- it's ample and helps to balance. A nice rounded smoke character allows small amounts of chocolate, light fruit and grain to peak out. Crisp with a snappy carbonation melds nicely with a brief and very thin peaking citrus hop twang and defining smoke twang. Mineral feel and flavour, touch of metallic. Lingering smoke in the dry finish.

Notes: You either like Rauchbiers or you don't. Me? I love them! Can't beat that old-school beer character where all malts were dried over wood fires, and as a result imparted a smoke character to the beer. Wish we had more of this style, but thanks to the Germans for keeping it alive.

In my opinion, Aecht Schlenkerla Rauchbier Marzen is probably the better out of the bunch. Pairs nicely with any grilled or cured meats.

Serving type: bottle

10-27-2002 17:54:29 | More by Todd

kvnstfrd

Missouri

3/5  rDev -25.7%

05-23-2013 12:53:03 | More by kvnstfrd

NOLANDMAN

Massachusetts

4.5/5  rDev +11.4%

05-21-2013 03:15:58 | More by NOLANDMAN

johntfox

Florida

4.5/5  rDev +11.4%

05-20-2013 23:48:08 | More by johntfox

jarrett123

New York

4.5/5  rDev +11.4%

05-20-2013 04:10:45 | More by jarrett123

tom10101

Quebec (Canada)

3.75/5  rDev -7.2%

05-19-2013 18:18:39 | More by tom10101

PopGun

Louisiana

4.25/5  rDev +5.2%

05-19-2013 14:47:35 | More by PopGun

tjsdomer2

Illinois

4.23/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.25

Appearance: Dark brown after the pour, but ruby red when held up to light. A bit flat though.

Smell: Cigar smoke and molasses. Some bacon as well. Incredible.

Taste/Mouthfeel: Smoked sausage and a hint of scotch. Some tobacco and molasses as well. I enjoy this a lot, but wish it were stronger. Feels really thin initially, which hurts the flavor a bit by watering it down. Feels better as it warms.

Overall Drinkability: This is a good beer, but is not as good as Schlenkerla Eiche. I do love the overall warming effect this has, which is definitely a good quality.

Serving type: bottle

05-19-2013 02:19:48 | More by tjsdomer2

tbone1384

Wyoming

4.75/5  rDev +17.6%

05-19-2013 01:16:21 | More by tbone1384

jonmikel

Spain

1.25/5  rDev -69.1%

05-18-2013 20:05:26 | More by jonmikel

touchmeimsac

Pennsylvania

4.75/5  rDev +17.6%

05-18-2013 14:12:36 | More by touchmeimsac

superspak

Michigan

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

500 ml bottle into pint glass, no bottle dating. Pours fairly clear medium reddish brown color with a dense 2 finger cream colored head with great retention, that reduces to a nice cap that lingers. Dense spotty soapy lacing clings down the glass, with some moderate streaming carbonation. Aromas of huge smoked wood, caramel, brown sugar, toast, bacon, ham, light roasted malt, brown bread, and smoked earthiness. Fantastic aromas with very prominent smoke character; with great balance and complexity of malt and smoke notes. Taste of smoked wood, caramel, brown sugar, toast, ham, brown bread, bacon, floral, light roasted malt, light clove, and smoked earthiness. Lingering notes of smoked wood, ham, caramel, brown sugar, toast, light roasted malt, brown bread, and smoke earthiness on the finish for a good bit. Very nice balance and complexity of malt and smoked flavors; with nice robustness and no cloying flavors after the finish. Medium carbonation and body; with a fairly creamy and smooth mouthfeel that is nice. Alcohol is very well hidden with only a slight warming noticed after the finish. Overall this is a highly excellent Rauchbier style! Great balance and complexity of smoke and malt flavors; and very smooth to drink. A highly enjoyable offering.

Serving type: bottle

05-17-2013 04:27:23 | More by superspak

Slatetank

Pennsylvania

4.25/5  rDev +5.2%

05-16-2013 14:00:25 | More by Slatetank

tootsMcGee

Oregon

5/5  rDev +23.8%

05-13-2013 01:03:13 | More by tootsMcGee

Bellonc

Spain

2/5  rDev -50.5%

05-11-2013 19:00:51 | More by Bellonc

donzilake

Ohio

3.75/5  rDev -7.2%

05-11-2013 15:07:47 | More by donzilake

JakeDebus

Maryland

3.5/5  rDev -13.4%

05-10-2013 15:58:52 | More by JakeDebus

nullbort

Ontario (Canada)

2.5/5  rDev -38.1%

05-08-2013 20:51:21 | More by nullbort

mjtierney2

Germany

4.75/5  rDev +17.6%

05-08-2013 18:42:53 | More by mjtierney2

dalepryor

Kentucky

4/5  rDev -1%

05-07-2013 22:57:27 | More by dalepryor

GuzzLah

Illinois

4.1/5  rDev +1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

A - pours a dark brown-burgundy. Short head. Faint lace. No bubbles.

S - smoked ham, green beans, burnt wood and molasses.

T - is similar to the aroma with mild floral hops and light sweetness.

M - medium body. Low carbonation. Oily.

O - mighty good smoke beer that doesn't overdo it.

Serving type: bottle

05-01-2013 20:12:18 | More by GuzzLah

brittanyshelby

Massachusetts

4.25/5  rDev +5.2%

05-01-2013 18:36:19 | More by brittanyshelby

Kyrojack

Indiana

4/5  rDev -1%

05-01-2013 00:33:16 | More by Kyrojack

jacothom

Indiana

2.5/5  rDev -38.1%

04-30-2013 20:50:04 | More by jacothom