Aecht Schlenkerla Eiche

I have no clue what this German name means.  It was in the smoked section of my local beer joint, so I think this will fit in the somewhat loose category that is smoked beer – (“Rauchbier” in German—I do know that).  It is pitched as a Dopplebock on the label, but says something about Oak Smoke below that – the only two English words on the front label.  Let me admit straight away that I am a fan of smoked beers.  They just make a whole lot of sense to me, especially if I happen to be eating some good barbeque at the time.  I almost never feel that smoked beers are overdone which, admittedly, is an opinion that isn’t always shared by the folks with whom I share drinks.  That said, to me, this is a very good beer.

The grains used in this one were supposedly kilned with Oak chips.  I think that means that in the drying process, the grains were tossed into the roaster with Oak chips.  I’m not sure that was the exact method, but the result is a smokiness to the flavor that is very much a part of the beer from start to finish.  At no point is it unbalanced.  The sweetness of the Dopplebock style comes through well and, if anything, could be taken down just a bit.  This is not a bitter beer in any way, and is in fact bittered with Hallertauer hops, which can give a somewhat sweet signature in any brew.

Overall this is a malty brew with a fundamental but not overdone smokiness that comes about organically through the brewing process.  While I wouldn’t call this an excellent beer, it is very good.  Definitely worth picking up a bottle.  Cheers!

About the Contributor: Kevin has been drinking and brewing beer for more than 20 years, and enjoys re-capping the interesting craft and micro-brews that find their way into his glass.  Feel free to contact him at [email protected] to talk favorites, but hold back on the technical questions – he sees himself as more of a beer nerd than a beer expert.