The label again, unfortunately, seems to have a beautiful camp fire scene buried and blurred behind the enormous ribbon that tells the beer name. I hope they paid the artist well because they certainly ruined his or her work!
Lots of smoke in the aroma, like the way smoked bacon smells. There is some kind of sweetness to the smell as well. Very similar flavors. Lots of smoke but sweet, juicy pineapple and savory bacon flavors stand out, each equally prominent. Ashy mouth and jelly preserves = not really working that well for me. The only other thing I can really pinpoint is that typical Sam Adams herbal tea flavor that is in almost all of their beers. Very dry and smoky finish. The body is medium and carbonation is OK too. I don't know, the smoke is too much and the sweetness is too much. Combine the two and I really disliked the combination. Didn't finish it. Not my cup of tea at all! Another reason to skip that mixed 12.
Rauchbier Ingredient Package
Bacon Scented Car Air Freshener
Camerons Products Alder, Hickory, Oak, and Cherry Wood Smoking Chips, Set of 4
10 comments:
I totally agree for all of the same reasons. I couldn't finish it either. Almost tasted like a bad cigar.
Don't remind me. Horrible. One of the worst beers from this brewery that I totally love.
I actually thought that it was pretty good. It's not your typical sweet soap sud to say the least but it reminds me of a good Islay Malt. One interesting thing about it that I really enjoyed was the fact that at the end, the flavor remained on the front of your tongue instead of the back of your throat.
Hey Anonymous. I can normally appreciate this style. Just some things about this one that turned my stomach the wrong way.
Oh my! Having been stationed in Germany many years ago - I forgot what "Rauch" meant. That is until I tasted it. I drink all kind of beers. I make my own beer as well. I have to imagine that this beer won't be around long. It had that smoky flavor like the time I put in too much liquid smoke into my beef jerky. I am not a fan of this specific brew. Oh yeah - I drank a few sips and could not force myself to drink it all. Down the drain and into the septic tank. Maybe it will do some good there.
Too much smoke. Too much sweet. Savory and unwelcome flavors. I can understand your trial and error with beef jerky, but this is a professional brewery that should have hired me to tell them to drop this one.
I can't agree with you more, Rob. I rarely pass up an opportunity to try out a new brew, especially from Sam Adams. This one is completely undrinkable. I have nothing against Rauchbier, but Sam Adams really did this one wrong. To me it tastes like a mediocre brew with about a cup of liquid smoke dumped into the mix, instead of crafted the traditional way. I sent an email to Samuel Adams, and their response was not to waste the bottle I hadn't drank, but to add them to some chili. Umm, I'll pass.
I bought the season 12 pack, so with one tasted (but unfinished) that leaves one sitting all alone. I think I'll spring it on a buddy when they ask for a beer out of my fridge next time. lol. :D
For sure pass it off to a friend. Maybe they will like it.
I am enjoying one right now. Impressed the smokey aroma matches the intensity of the smokey flavor. Very different but enjoyable.
To each his own. I would never tell you that you're wrong. Personally, I think this beer sucks and Sam Adams has half a dozen better beers they've never made commercially.
But I do applaud their approach. They are like any other craft brewer pushing the envelope.
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