Rauchbier

Introduction – by Firkin Ron

The term beer style refers to a broad set of descriptors used to differentiate and categorize types of beers. In short, descriptors such as color, flavor, strength, ingredients, production method, recipe, history, and origin create the framework for establishing the style of a beer.

And almost any time you buy a beer, the beer lists its style on the packaging. Why? To provide the buyer with a basic preview and understanding of the beer’s look, smell, taste and drinkability.

Today, there are hundreds of documented beer styles and a handful of organizations with their own unique classifications. However, the Beer Judge Certification Program (BJCP) provides one of the most commonly used set of style guidelines.

This new series on beer styles provides a basic overview of beer styles. Each week a new article will feature a beer style.

My friend Owen Ogletree, a BJCP National Certified Beer Judge, has agreed to start the series off with a few overviews of some amazing classic beer styles. Thanks Owen!

One of my favorite beer styles starts this new series of articles – Rauchbier. Rauchbier is a historic beer style of smoked lager found in Bamberg, Germany. In German, rauch means smoke.

Rauchbier Overview – by Owen Ogletree

Brewers in Bamberg, Germany have worked hard to preserve the historic beer style of smoked lager. Malt is dried over a smoky beechwood fire, and the smoked malt is used to brew a Märzen-like amber lager with gorgeous notes of toasted bread crust, mild malt sweetness, light caramel, and smoked ham. The smoke intensity varies, depending on the brewery. Schlenkerla offers a mouthful of amazing smoke, while Spezial is lighter and more restrained. I would never recommend drinking a Rauchbier alongside smoked meats, as the smoke flavors can become muddled on the palate. Bamberg brewers will often say, “You need to have two or three liters before you begin to love the smoke beer.” This style has always appealed to me, especially when it’s fresh.

 

Visiting Schlenkerla for Rauchbier – photograph by Firkin Ron

 

About Owen Ogletree

Owen is founder/editor of Brewtopia LLC. In addition, he is columnist for Southern Brew News and Beer Connoisseur Magazine, lecturer at Knoxville’s Brewing & Distilling Center, founder/director of the Atlanta Cask Ale Tasting and Classic City Brew Fest, and a BJCP National Beer Judge. Owen has also served as a beer judge at the Great American Beer Festival and the Great British Beer Festival.