My beer fridge is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you gonna get. That happened again as I was poking through my garage beer fridge and found a bottle of Rail Dog Smoked Black Lager from the Thirsty Dog Brewing Company of Akron, Ohio. I got this a year ago in a beer trade from Dave Coulter, and finding it decided it was time to drink it.
I’m not sure why I didn’t drink it sooner. I have had nothing but great beers from Thirsty Dog, and the notion of a smoked Schwarzbier is a pleasing one indeed. Happily, the beer was in perfect condition, having been refrigerated the whole time I’ve had it. If it had soured or otherwise gone bad, I wouldn’t be here to tell you about it. I recently popped a bomber of Monday Night Black Tie Bedhead that had really oxidized from age (I hadn’t refrigerated that one the whole time). You won’t be seeing that bottle reviewed here on Bruguru.com; wouldn’t be fair to the beer.
Thirsty Dog says of Rail Dog:
This lager has the most complex grain bill of any beer we brew. In addition, we roast grains in our ovens and add our own proprietary apple smoked grain, for even more complexity. The final product is a smooth, easy drinking, lightly smoked, delicious brew.
Thirsty Dog Rail Dog Smoked Black Lager has an alcohol content of 6.7% by volume with 24 IBUs. Total Wine sells it in South Carolina for $11.99 a six-pack. A little high, I think, about $1 or $2 more than it should run.
Thirsty Dog Rail Dog Smoked Black Lager pours to a jet-black color with a thick creamy tan head and abundant smoke and roast in the nose. Taking a sip, the beer is big and clean and roasty with dark chocolate like a good Schwarzbier should be. It’s full in body with a subtle smokiness underneath and a dry roasty finish.
This is delightful, love the roasty notes the full mouthfeel and the hints of smoke. 4.5 stars, and though I’m inclined to deduct a half star for the high price, this is so good that I won’t.
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