For today’s craft beer review I want to share with you my tasting experience of the Aecht Schlenkerla Rauchbier Weizen.  This beer is brewed by Brauerie Heller-Trum/Schlenkerla in Bamber, Germany. 

I reviewed the “Marzen” a few months ago and really liked it, so I figured I would give this one a go also. 

Let’s see if we can find some information on the Weizen from the website, schlenkerla.de.

Schlenkerla Smokebeer Wheat is an ale with a light smoky aroma.  As Bavarian wheat beers, it is being brewed with a mixture of both barley malt and wheat malt.  The portion of barley malt is hereby a classic Schlenkerla smokemalt, while the wheat malt remains unsmoked.  Served unfiltered with its natural haziness, Schlenkerla Wheat reaches its full aroma through bottle fermentation with fine top fermenting yeast. 

Here we go.

This Weizen has an ABV of 5.2% and comes in a 16.9 oz. bottle.

Once poured, this brew had a hazy brown to deep burgundy color with a combination of both burnt orange and burnt yellow highlights.  A very full, fluffy, soft, somewhat creamy and rocky head was formed from a relatively easy pour.  The retention time was very good and as it dissipated it sounded like it was sizzling.  The lacing was ok, but I was hoping that it would be much better. 

The aroma started with the ever present “smokey” aspect.  Maybe some smoked bacon or smoked ham rubbed with brown sugar.  Minor hints of cloves as well as a noticeable tone of yeast.  The smoke is, without question, the star of the show however.  This beer is very aromatic and bold, yet pleasant and concise.  I like this fragrance.

As I had the first taste, I noticed that the smoke was still accounted for, but it was much more relaxed and balanced.  It was much easier to discern the yeast and cloves too.  I also noticed a slight hint of pepper, which made the taste very similar to spiced beef jerky, but I still gained a redolence of bacon and ham.  Very tasty and unique I thought.

The mouthfeel was medium, dry, crisp, smooth and soft.  It didn’t leave a whole lot of flavor on the palate though, which was surprising considering the flavors involved.

Well, like the Marzen, the Weizen is a very good beer.  Also like the Marzen, I would probably have to limit myself to one or two of these at a time.  I doubt it’s something that I could have everyday either.  It’s quite an interesting, enjoyable and relatively easy beer to drink, but it does become a bit too much after a while.  It’s most definitely worth a try if you have not had it.  If you favor “smoked” brews, these guys really know how to produce them.

Do you guys enjoy “smoked” beers?  If so, what is your favorite?

Thanks for reading folks.  Until next time.

Cheers.

Score:  3.8 out of 5
Grade:  B+