I can’t tell you how many times I’ve gotten my hopes up about a smoked beer, only to have them dashed on the rocks when the so-called smoke beer just didn’t have that much smoke. I said as much in my review of Crown Valley Black Cabin Smoked Ale, a beer that I tried not too long ago that actually had some smokiness to it. Of course, I could just drink Schlenkerla Rauchbier all the time. You can never go wrong with Schlenkerla. It’s gotten a bit expensive lately, though, at $8.99 for a half liter bottle. And hey, we’re beer geeks. We like to try different brews.
When I saw that the Taco Mac location by my office had Red Hare Rabbit's Reserve #6: Rauchbier, though, I had hope for a fresh, tasty, locally brewed smoked lager on tap. And you know, I wasn’t disappointed when my mug arrived before me. Here’s what Red Hare says about the beer.
Released September 28, 2013. Rauchbier is reminiscent of a German-style Oktoberfest and can literally be translated to “smoked beer”. Munich, smoked, and dark roasted malts provide this brew with its softly smoked flavor and smooth maltyness. It is lightly bittered in order not to overwhelm the palate and to keep the smoky malt profile upfront. This is a particularly aromatic brew with hints of bacon coming through on the nose. Golden copper in color, and surprisingly drinkable this beer comes in at 6.8% ABV.
Red Hare Rabbit's Reserve #6: Rauchbier pours to a rich amber color with a very enticing smoky hickory nose. Tasking a sip, there’s a wonderful toasty nutty maerzen palate at first that quickly yields to the smoke: pungent, acrid hickory smokiness reminiscent of bacon and a summer campfire. The beer finishes dry and smoky, too. What a great beer, a lot like Schlenkerla I think though not as intense by any means, but I have to say may well be the smokiest domestic rauchbier I have tried. $6.75 for a full mug pour is another plus. No short pours here!
I love a good rauchbier and friends, this is a good rauchbier. Don’t miss is it and Red Hare if you’re reading this, I would just love to see it in cans.
And remember, try a new beer today, and drink outside the box.
*Pricing data accurate at time of review or latest update. For reference only, based on actual price paid by reviewer.
(B)=Bottled
(D)=Draft