Smoke & Dagger - Jack's Abby Brewing

jdhilt

New Hampshire

3.95/5  rDev -1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours with a four-finger, khaki head that fades slowly leaving some lace. Black color, hints of mahogany highlights. Light-medium carbonation and medium bodied. Nose is light smoke and chocolate and flavor is smooth baked chocolate with hints of smoke. $3.50 for a 500ml bottle, from Giles Fine Wine Arlington, MA.

Serving type: bottle

01-21-2013 21:21:48 | More by jdhilt

donkeyrunner

Massachusetts

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

Dark brown and sporting a friendly, pale tan head. Steady retention leaves a few worm trails of foam. Neat German influenced (I'm assuming) .5 liter bottle.

Smells like woody cocoa nibs and mild smoke. Tastes like it smells: gentle smoke wraps around smooth roast malt. A very gentle beer. The smoke is present but not overpowering and the roast malt is dark and mildly chocolatey but never acidic or charred.

I just found out that there's a peanut butter of this beer which I now must have.

Serving type: bottle

01-20-2013 14:57:39 | More by donkeyrunner

oline73

Maryland

4.13/5  rDev +3.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Poured from the bottle into a goblet.

Appearance: The beer pours a dark brown color with some red light coming through at the edges. There is a half finger of off white head that fades rather quickly.

Smell: Not as roasty as I would have expected, but the roast compliments everything else nicely. I'm getting bready malt sweetness along with some dark fruit. Just a bit nutty with mild smoke.

Taste: Not quite as nice as the smell, but still quite good. Some bready malt with dark chocolate and smokey notes. I'm getting mild caramel and dark fruit. The finish is slightly bitter with a nice smoke to it.

Mouthfeel: The body is medium with very full carbonation and a slightly dry finish.

Overall: I really enjoyed this beer. I was super easy to drink and quite interesting. I would definitely have more in the future.

Serving type: bottle

01-05-2013 01:25:01 | More by oline73

BlackBelt5112203

South Carolina

4.35/5  rDev +8.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

4 oz pour at Jack’s Abby in a tasting glass at cellar temperature.

L – Brown color with a 2-finger frothy tan head. Great retention and really nice lacing. Clear with a good amount of bubbles as far as I can see.

S – Chocolate malt and a good amount of smokiness as well.

T – Starts off sweet with chocolate and caramel malt and gains spicy smokiness that is almost reminiscent of rye. As the spice mellows at the finish, smooth and sweet cocoa becomes apparent.

F – Light-to-medium-bodied with great prickling carbonation, a mouth-coating but crisp feel, and a sweet finish. Sweet chocolaty malt lingers nicely.

O – This is a great smoked beer. It smells nice and tastes great with much more complexity than expected from the nose. This is really tasty and very drinkable, especially for a smoky beer like this.

Serving type: on-tap

12-30-2012 23:51:49 | More by BlackBelt5112203

LeRose

Massachusetts

4.33/5  rDev +8.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

First, I was happy to discover that this beer is not over the top with aggressive smoke or heavy with the roasted malts. Sometimes less is more.

Poured a deep brown with two fingers of rich creamy tan head that thinned quickly, but plenty of foam clung to the glass. Aroma was a whiff of smoke, maybe a little malt underneath. Not much there, really. But the flavor really popped in a nice little surprise package. Definite smokiness, definite roasted malts, some chocolate tones in the dark sweet area, nothing dominates and very well balanced. A little bitter on the finish, but carbonated well enough to brighten things up and make it lively. Crisp and clean. A very balanced, enjoyable brew.

Serving type: bottle

12-21-2012 01:23:03 | More by LeRose

dasenebler

Maine

4.15/5  rDev +3.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Jack's Abby Smoke & Dagger
12/17/12
.5L bottle, no date

Not really black, more of a dark mahogany with reddish highlights. Modest head dissipates quickly, average lacing. (3.5)

Aroma is clean, though very lagery. Some earthy notes and subtle hops, but that's it really. (3)

Rich chocolate malts and a moderate level of smoke on the palate. Not nearly as smoky as a Schlenkerla, however. Bready, light-roast coffee. Not sweet at all, with a dry, crisp finish. Smooth bitterness complements the malt character without overwhelming the subtleties. Carbonation is medium-low, with a soft, lilting mouthfeel. A very authentic and elegant lager. (4.5, 4.5)

This is one of the best American-made lagers I've had. I love the dryness combined with the malt complexities, all in a highly drinkable package. The other Jack's Abby brews I've had have been somewhat underwhelming, but Smoke & Dagger is excellent. (4.5)

Serving type: bottle

12-17-2012 22:53:00 | More by dasenebler

homebrew311

Illinois

4.05/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Received in trade with cbeer88- thanks man! Appearance is a deep auburn with crimson highlight, layer of tan head with plenty of sticky lacing. The nose is like a campfire, heavily smoked with layers of hickory, ash, and roasted malts. The taste meets the palate with some caramel malt character which brings a little sweetness before the smoke cuts through. Roasted malts and smoke take turns as it finishes with heavy woody smoke character. This is a very flavorful and smokey rauchbier, lots of depth in the flavor. The mouthfeel is somewhat thin with moderate to high carbonation. Overall, a winner, especially if smoked beers are your thing.

Serving type: bottle

12-15-2012 04:57:27 | More by homebrew311

BigCheese

Massachusetts

3.9/5  rDev -2.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bottle purchased right at the brewery.

A: Pours a dark ruby brown, near black. Medium sized tan head. Some decent lacing.

S: Toasted and roasted malts, got an english nutty bready smell.

T: Caramel, Molasses, brown bread. Roasted malts. Slightly smoky/peaty and a tad salty ham flavor. Some chocolate notes too. Its got a malt bitterness to it in a robust porter kinda way. Espresso notes/dark coco mixed with smoke.

M: High carbonation, lighter mouthfeel, still got a decent creamyness to it. Definitely sessionable and has that refreshing lager character.

O: Havent had many black lagers or rauchbiers, but I like this one. Theres a smoky aspect but its not overpowering. A solid session brew that I think would be easy to like.

Serving type: bottle

12-02-2012 02:32:04 | More by BigCheese

Maxwell

Massachusetts

4.4/5  rDev +10%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

This beer is named after Jack’s Abby’s two brewery cats, Smoke and Dagger. It pours a very dark brown color, bordering on black, but sits in the glass as just plain clean black with a light white fluffy head that has the barest hints of tan in it. On the nose, the beer smells nicely smoked with rich beechwood notes and slight chocolate and black coffee. The beer smells very much of woodsy smoke, but the smell still carries the clean lager aromatics that are expect from the style. I was hoping for a little more pungency, but now that the beer is before me I think too much smell would off-put its lager qualities and ruin the beer. On the taste, the beer is richly layered with woodsy smoke. In the initial gulp there is big Beachwood notes that are slowly enveloped with rich smoke and then roasted chocolate malts, and then rich dark coffee, all the while shinning with the rich complexities of the beechwood. In the middle of the taste the chocolate malts do provide a slight burp of sweet that borders on strange, but is quickly enveloped by the other complexities of the beer, and dutifully managed. Citrus is also present in the taste as a faint ghost that haunts the latter half of the swallow. The aftertaste of this beer is light with Beechwood smoke and hints of coffee, but nothing more. This beer is meaty with flavor, and deliciously easy to sip. On the mouth, the beer feels thin, crisp, and refreshing, as all lagers should. Carbonation is effervescent but not prickly, working to nicely cleanse the palate and ready it for another sip. After each sip the mouth is left only slightly dry with woodsy smoke and with the faintest hints of sticky saliva griming the tongue and roof of the mouth with the sweet smoke taste. Overall this beer is another success from Jack’s Abby, I think I like it more than the version brewed with coffee, as this beer stands perfectly on its own, and I feel that the coffee cuts through some of the complex flavors of this beer. This beer is very drinkable and completely worthy of a try, with great locally sourced ingredients and an even better taste. It even pairs well with Gorgonzola cheese! Try this beer!

Serving type: bottle

11-10-2012 20:20:08 | More by Maxwell

Dools9

Massachusetts

3.95/5  rDev -1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Bottle dated 10/17/12 poured into a shaker pint.

A: Pours a reddish brown, with ruby hues. Khaki, two finger head. Nice, clinging lace is left on the glass.

S: Good mix of roasted barley malt, light smoke, chocalte malt, and some caramel sweetness.

T: Starts off with a good dose of smokey roasted malt and follows with a chocolate and vanilla cream sweetness. Finishes with a light espresoo like dryness, mildly bitter bite from the roasted malt, with a lingering roasted, smokey char aftertaste. The smoke is a bit subdued, but as the beer warms it becomes more pronounced.

M: Lighter bodied, could use a bit more heft, soft mouthfeel, carbonation is right down the middle. Very easy going down, good drinkability.

O: Solid brew, finds the right balance of smoke, roast, and sweetness. Drinks more like a smokey porter to me but nonetheless, another solid offering from JA.

Serving type: bottle

11-09-2012 16:37:02 | More by Dools9

jondeelee

Massachusetts

3.95/5  rDev -1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Smoke & Dagger opens to a rich, smoky, malty nose that bears instant resemblance to freshly-ground coffee, smoky peat, and campfire made of pitchy pine branches. Touches of ash and tobacco add more earthiness. A good layer of caramel, brown sugar, and coffee cream helps temper the dark, smoky notes, joined by light touches of chocolate, and lighter touches of cherry, fig, and berry fruit esters, these latter notes fading deep into the background the way good spices complement a meal without being immediately noticeable. Good layers of brown bread, floury baguette, yeasty wheat dough, and toast crust add further dimension and complexity. As a whole, the nose is very nice, featuring a well-balanced mix of sugars, breads, and piney resins, with a superb smoky peat overtone that plays well off of the darker notes.

On the tongue, the beer opens with a nice, immediate shot of campfire smoke, ash, tobacco, smoky peat, and coffee, quickly joined by strong caramel, cream, and brown sugar threads, and instantly recalls creamed coffee sipped in a smoke-filled bar. The piney notes from the hops blend nicely with the smoke and ash to further amplify the campfire/smoky peat notes, balanced nicely enough that they play well with the cream and sugar, and don’t overwhelm the palate. Brown breads and yeasty dough add further texture. In subsequent sips the finer nuanced of this initial flavor fade slightly, but a good coffee, cream, caramel, and tobacco flavor still remains. The latter part of the mouthful in all cases becomes more heavily ashy as the sugars die off, and the aftertaste is largely ash and tobacco, with some lingering sugars and creams. Mouthfeel is a slick medium-light to medium, and carbonation is medium.

Overall, this is very nice fare, boasting a well-rounded, nicely balanced, and flavorful body that is everything a schwarzbier should be, with a tantalizing touch of smoky peat added that pushes the flavors to wonderful heights. It’s not necessarily a beer that brings anything new to the style, but instead prefers to set itself aside by being simply a finely-crafted example, and a model of understated perfection in craft.

Serving type: bottle

11-07-2012 20:45:40 | More by jondeelee

ppoitras

Massachusetts

4.4/5  rDev +10%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

16.9oz bottle purchased as a single from somewhere localish.

Poured into my 2008 Pioneer stein, formed a 1 1/2" tan head over the slightly cloudy orangey brown brew. Pillowy head lasts nicely, with chunky lacing. Aroma is sweet and smoky.

Taste begins with a shot of smoke, goes quite sweet in the middle, coupled with a shot of citrus, and then closes with a light bitterness. Mouthfeel is smooth, and drinkability is great. Seemed maybe too sweet, but it came together nicely for me in the end.

Serving type: bottle

10-14-2012 18:30:31 | More by ppoitras

cpetrone84

Pennsylvania

3.88/5  rDev -3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

pour is dark black with a tan head and some larger bubbles. Nose is light malt and chocolate notes with a light grain and herbal hop. Taste is a good, full flavored dark chocolate and light roast to it. Stout like favors with a lighter body and grainy hoppy finish. Dry clean finish and well carbonated.

Serving type: bottle

10-09-2012 18:35:48 | More by cpetrone84

boilermakerbrew

Indiana

4.13/5  rDev +3.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A- Pours a slightly off-black with subtle red hues when held up to the light. Medium 2 finger head that is tan. Retention and lacing are very good.

S- More stouty than smoked. Heavy smoke flavor mixed with semi-sweet malt flavors. Chocolate malt is prominent.

T- Not far from the typical porter here. Little hints of smoke flavors nibble in on the edge. Good dark malt flavors with chocolate being very prominent. Solid mix of flavors with a slight bite on the end form the dark malt flavor profile.

M- About the average lager feel. Light and carbonated, easy to drink, and not terribly filling. Great session lager here.

Overall, way above my expectations for another smoked beer. I usually hate smoked beer, but this was enjoyable with its many stout-like qualities.

Serving type: bottle

10-04-2012 00:39:00 | More by boilermakerbrew

mdaschaf

Washington

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

Thanks to wtfdic for this one!

A: Pours a deep brown color with a two finger tan head on top. Great head retention with thin lacing forming all around the glass.

S: Definitely some chocolate malt with hints of coffee, faint smoke.

T: Light smoky flavor mixed with some dark chocolate backed up by a bit of earthy hops.

M: Medium bodied with moderate carbonation. Pretty smooth.

O: Another solid beer from JA. Though it would be smokier, but it wasn't over the top and blended nicely with the rest of the flavors.

Serving type: bottle

09-28-2012 01:18:40 | More by mdaschaf

brewandbbq

New Hampshire

3.75/5  rDev -6.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

500ml undated bottle.

Pours nearly opaque dark brown with a tan head of an inch-plus. A partial skim coat and streaky lacing for the duration.

Light smoke, caramel, chocolate, and mild char in the nose. A hint of nougat follows.

Medium bodied with an almost creamy mouthfeel.

Roasted malts, light chocolate, and smokey char start the palate. Hints of coffee and vanilla step forward.

Finishes with quickly fading smoke and roast.

A balanced beer with very light smoke and a bit thin for my tastes. I would just like more of all aspects of this beer.

Serving type: bottle

09-14-2012 01:53:39 | More by brewandbbq

GarthDanielson

New Hampshire

3.9/5  rDev -2.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Poured on nitro-tap and served in a tumbler pint, the beer is a dark, rich, ruby-hazelnut coloring that comes with a decent cascade. After the fireworks settle, you end up with a thick, dense, creamy tan head. Looks great, and always fun to watch. Aromas of coffee and chocolate, both roasted bitter and creamy, with a toffee highlight. This smells like a sweettooth satisfier. Flavors are roasted and slightly smokey initially, with a nutty and coffee backbone. The smoke continues throughout as there is an unveiling of charcoal and campfire qualities that take over the palate. Toffee sweet intertwines through the palate as a highlight and backbone at the same time. The body is light and crisp, almost to the point of being watered down. Great, coating cling along the glass as you drink. The aftertaste is smokey, with a dose of the rich, sweet background flavors. Smooth, creamy and clean finish, this is a tasty brew. Very drinkable and very tasty.

Serving type: nitro-tap

09-12-2012 16:39:23 | More by GarthDanielson

mdfb79

New York

4.23/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

From 08/17/12 notes. Had this on nitro-tap at a bar right outside Boston, MA. Served in a pint glass.

a - Pours an almost black brown color with one finger of dark tan head and moderate carbonation evident. Looks like a great stout.

s - Smells of roasted malts, dark chocolate, light milk chocolate, smoke, cream, and some light caramel malts. Smoke is light which I enjoy.

t - Tastes of roasted malts, toasted malts, dark chocolate, cream, smoke, ham, milk chocolate, and toffee. A little more smoke here than the nose, but still not overbearing.

m - Medium body and low to moderate carbonation. Body is super smooth and creamy, and insanely easy to drink. Nitro-pour does wonders for this one and the body. Very drinkable.

o - Overall a pretty good beer; kind of reminds me of Guinness Light with a hint of smoke. Tons of roasted malts and chocolate along with light smoke, and easy to drink. Would like to have again, and would jump to have it again on nitro-tap.

Serving type: nitro-tap

08-22-2012 15:30:50 | More by mdfb79

starrdogg

District of Columbia

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

Thanks to Rob1110 for this and all the Jacky's Abby stuff.

Pours a very dark brown with a fluffy off-white head. Smell is a nice mix of roasted malt, chocolate and smoke that all blend together quite nicely and none of the aromas are too overpowering. The smoke is more prominent in the flavor than in the nose, but still doesn't overpower as the roastiness and chocolate hold up against the smoke nicely. Interestingly, the more I drink the less smoke I taste and the more the roasted malts come through, not sure if that's a product of the warming or just getting accustomed to the smoke flavor. Mouthfeel is light-medium bodied with nice carbonation. Overall, this comes off as a nice, smokey schwarzbier. I'm impressed that the schwarzbier characteristics shine through as well as they do and balance out the smoke nicely. I like this one more than the Cascadian Schwarzbier as I feel like the smoke suits the beer better than the hops do.

Serving type: bottle

08-10-2012 22:25:16 | More by starrdogg

rvandint

Massachusetts

3.9/5  rDev -2.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a beautiful dark brown with a nice head that stays thinly on top throughout.

Smells like a camp fire on clothes.

Incredibly well balanced flavor with smoke throughout.

Silky mouthfeel. Wouldn't mind a bit more body.

Overall, this is a nice beer that I would happily drink again.

Serving type: bottle

08-10-2012 01:33:34 | More by rvandint

Chico1985

Massachusetts

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

Pours into my Heady Topper glass just about black, some light brown highlights reveal some clarity. Beige head starts at a few fingers and retains as a mostly full cap, some lace left.

Nose reveals grainy+toasty lager malts, roasted coffee, chocolate tones, and light smoke that grows nicely with warmth.

Taste is a nice mix of roasty and toasty.. Chocolate, grains, coffee with cream, tame smoke and some notes of dark fruit. A light hop presence. Good balance of sweet and roasty. Easy drinking and keeps you sipping.

Nice full body for the ABV, a bit foamy with lower carbonation.

The label describes this as somewhere between a schwarzbier and a smoked porter, which is a lengthier but more accurate description than a rauchbier; the smoke is quite tame here. That being said - pretty great beer and very easy drinking, lots of porter-like flavors while maintaining that lager feel. Another winner from Jack's Abby.

Serving type: bottle

08-09-2012 18:35:05 | More by Chico1985

axeman9182

New Jersey

4.03/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

500 mL bottle courtesy of jaasen64. It was poured into my Brooklyn Brewery tulip.

Smoke & Dagger pours jet black, with a surprising three and a half fingers of khaki colored foam. Head retention is very good, and lacing, while night quite sheet-like, is very good. The nose has a nice balance between roasty grains and smoke, though I'd say the roast leans more towards coffee than chocolate. The flavor profile is more of the same. The front end is a nice, smooth black coffee, with some subtle chocolate undertones. Smoky, BBQ type flavors then begin to creep in and build in intensity, eventually taking over the beer completely by the finish. The body is sturdy, while maintaining a dry enough finish to avoid becoming overly full or rich. The carbonation has a little bit of pep to it, but stays on the lower end of the spectrum. Smoke and Daggers was my first Jack's Abby brew, and I definitely dug the smoky schwarzbier vibe.

Serving type: bottle

08-09-2012 02:57:45 | More by axeman9182

womencantsail

California

3.78/5  rDev -5.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

The pour is a dark amber color with an off-white head. Strong smoke aroma to this, but still plenty of malt sweetness. Good caramel, toffee, and toasted bread aromas. A light woodiness to it. The flavor is sweet and malty with a nice smokiness. Light wood and salt notes, plenty of toast and caramel malts. A light chocolate flavor to it as well.

Serving type: bottle

08-07-2012 22:44:13 | More by womencantsail

tigg924

Massachusetts

4.33/5  rDev +8.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured into a Sam Adams perfect pint glass

Appearance: 1/2 inch head, high carbonation, dark brown in color, hazy

Smell: smoke and dark chocolate

Taste: smoky malt dominates with a nice mixture of dark chocolate and some milk chocolate

Mouthfeel:sweet and smoky with light earthy bitterness, medium-high carbonation, medium-heavy bodied

Overall: Nice and chocolaty rauch. Ranks right up there with the best I have had being produced in the states. The chocolate element distinguishes this beer from others in the category. Probably my second favorite from the brewery only behind Leisure Time lager.

Serving type: bottle

07-30-2012 18:35:33 | More by tigg924

johnnnniee

New Hampshire

4.13/5  rDev +3.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a solid dark brown with a huge creamy off white head that persists forever. Smells of bread and chocolate mostly with a hint of smoke and coffee. The flavor has little bit more roast and coffee than I expected. Huge notes of chocolate and caramel in each sip with a light smoky essence in the background. Medium body with a moderate level of carbonation and a sweet slick mouthfeel. Very flavorful, smooth easy drinking dark lager. Its nice that they didn't go overboard with the smoked malt like everyone seems to be doing these days.

Serving type: bottle

07-29-2012 02:29:02 | More by johnnnniee