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Buyer's Guide for Beer Lovers

The New Standard

Specialty Beer Evolution and Revolution

Rauchbier

The origins of rauchbier lie with breweries in the region of Franconia in northern Bavaria, which traditionally dried the barley over fires fueled by beech trees from local forests. The resulting pungent malt imparted an assertively smoky aroma and flavor to the beer from which it was made. These smoked lagers generally feature a very malty framework on which the intensely smoky character will not become overbearing. Rauchbiers are still brewed in the traditional manner by many of the breweries centered around the town of Bamberg, though enterprising brewers in other parts of the world have begun to make similarly styled beers.

Interpreting the 100-point Scale

Consumers can translate the point score to the following quality bands:

Point Range Quality Band
96-100 points Platinum
90-95 points Gold
85-90 points Silver
80-84 points Bronze
Less than 80 Not Recommended
Legend
  • = Brewpub
  • ABV = Alcohol by volume
  • Date denotes the date on which the beer was tasted

92 Smoke Ale, Rogue Ales (OR). 7% ABV (8/11)
Hazy amber color. Aromas of smoked ham and pepperoni pizza with a supple dryish medium-to-full body and a long, zesty, smoked nut and gouda, lemon pepper, and grilled arugula -accented finish. The ultimate deep dish pizza beer?

90 Samuel Adams Bonfire Rauchbier, The Boston Beer Co. (MA). 5.7% ABV (8/11)
Bright amber color. Aromas of honeyed dried fruit and pastries with supple, chewy dryish medium-to-full body and a savory herb bread, cayenne dusted jicama and grassy hop -accented finish. Not very smoky but very pleasant and a good choice for the table.

88 Smoked Silly Red Ale, Blue Tractor Brewery (MI). 5.8% ABV (10/10)
Deep mahogany color. Aromas of dark roasted nuts, smoked dried meat and caramelized dried fruits with a supple, frothy medium-to-full body and a chewy, tangy roasted grain and citrusy, grassy, astringent hops. A nicely balanced smoked ale.

88 Smoked Silly Red Ale, Blue Tractor Brewery (MI). 6.5% ABV (8/11)
Dark copper brown color. Bold aromas of smoked sausages and nuts with a supple dryish medium-to-full and a nice dash of dried apple, spice and grilled romaine lettuce on the finish. Will pair well with sausages.

88 Graetzer Smoked Wheat, Rogue Ales (OR). 3.3% ABV (8/11)
Bright golden amber color. Aromas of smoked turkey jerky with a buoyant, dryish light body and a smoked nut, wafer and grassy peppery hop snap on the finish. A nice, light-bodied smoky quaffer.

86 Ludwig’s Revenge, Roy-Pitz Brewing Co. (PA). 5.27% ABV (9/10)
Dark brown color. Crispy bacon and roasted nut aromas and flavor with a bouncy, dry light-to-medium body and zippy, straw–kissed finish. Nice hint of smoke and easy drinking.

85 Smoky Mary, NOLA Brewing Co. (LA). 5.3% ABV (9/11)
Golden amber color. Aromas of smoked nuts and dried meats with a hint of Band-Aid with a supple dryish medium body and a touch of salty pecan brittle, grilled squash and pepper radish on the finish. A nice choice for barbecue.

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