Aecht Schlenkerla Rauchbier - Märzen

Brewery: Schlenkerla Heller-Bräu Trum

Supplier: Beers of Europe

So this is the last of the older order of beers that I have, this one technically going off last year so I don't know how that will affect the taste (but as a smoked beer I think the predominant flavours will last). The historical brewery Schlenkerla Tavern is one of the few places that still produce Rauchbier, made with Original Schlenkerla Smokemalt from the Schlenkerla maltings and is tapped according to old tradition directly from the gravity-fed oakwood cask. I served this at room temperature.

Appearance: Brown but ruby red when held to the light, there is a milky latte coloured head that is really thick when poured but reduces down to barely a layer. 

Aroma: Lots of smoked notes similar to that of smoked sausages, underlying this dominant flavour are notes of coffee, apricot, and caramel malt.

Flavour: Again the smoked notes are dominant on the front, there is some fruitiness coupled with a sweet malt flavour. 

Body:

Aftertaste: The aftertastes are mixtures of smoked cheese, bacon, and brown sugar. Occasionally there are some unpleasant Iron like notes. With some drinking the after taste becomes overwhelmed by the chees

Overall: Therefore this gets a rating of 6, just thought, it is a unique beer that is worth drinking and is pleasant but not sure that it is my sort of beer that I would drink it again.

Price Range: £2.39 for 500ml; a very good price for it, and I would recommend it to anyone that wants to try a smoked beer.

Food Pairings: A German beer that goes great with German food, I would say smoked sausage and sauerkraut; the smoked flavours would blend with each other, not overpowering something, and the sauerkraut will at a bit of zing.