Fire In The Ham - Jack's Abby Brewing

Auror

Massachusetts

4.2/5  rDev +6.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Bottled in October, consumed October 12th. Poured into a small snifter.

Appearance- Much paler than I expected. Clear golden color. Medium head on pour, with okay retention…very small head ring on top.

Smell- Could smell the smoke from a sitting position. Getting in closer…delicious ham and bacon. The name speaks the truth. Even some of the Schlenkerla beers I’ve had didn’t smell this much like tasty meat.

Taste- Lifelong vegetarians should drink this to experience bacon for the first time. It’s all-bacon, all-the-time. As I grow acclimated to the smoke level, a nice crisp lager appears beneath the smoke and bacon.

Mouthfeel- Medium body and medium carbonation. Coats the mouth a bit, but not unreasonably so. Mostly just gets out of the way of the flavors.

Overall- This is a pretty simple beer. Super smoke flavors on top of a solid lager base. I bumped up the overall score because the taste was a 4.25.

Serving type: bottle

10-18-2012 03:44:32 | More by Auror

Gatch

Massachusetts

4.5/5  rDev +13.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

October 2012

A: Clear, straw golden-yellow in color with a big, fluffy, frothy, white head that leaves behind good lacing and retention. Lighter than most Rauchbiers that I've drank.

S: Roasted, smoked malt, smoked wood, smoked meats, salted/cured meats, but none of this is too strong, which is good, in my opinion.

T: All the characteristics of the nose come out stronger in the flavor. Heavily smoked malt, smoked meat, and wood/earth dominate with a faint hop presence in the finish. The smokiness of this beer is spot on seeing as this isn't straight out of Bamberg. A more focused Rauchbier than the Smoke & Dagger.

M: Smooth, clean, refreshing, and a good bite from the carbonation. Easy to drink and would be a pleasure to put down a few in one sitting.

O: This is a very well-crafted Rauchbier. Almost near the level that Schlenkerla is on. A smoky, tasty, fresh lager that is wonderful for the season. Jack's Abby knows how to make a lager!

Serving type: bottle

10-17-2012 21:04:46 | More by Gatch

irishevans

Alaska

4.38/5  rDev +10.6%
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A- Light gold/straw color, the white head pours the proper 2 fingers, but fades to about a quarter finger, and leaves a fairly thick lace.

N- Smoked meat baby, the only way I can think to describe it. sparks memories of Easter suppers.

T- smoke dominates, with a mild hop presance. the good fellas at Jack's weren't messing around with the smoked malts in this one. and I must say, I'm for it!

M- light end of medium bodied. Leathery. and crisp, with a fairly dry, though not cotton-mouth inducing finish.

O- I dig this brew. Smoked malt left home alone to run a muck, in the best possible way. though I liked Blabber & Smoke more, this is a close 2nd in the rauchbier category in my opinion/according to my palate. I will definitely be drinking this one again.

Serving type: bottle

10-17-2012 04:53:38 | More by irishevans