J.T. Whitneys Richs Rauch Bier

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 7 | Mouthfeel: 8 | Flavor: 9 | Overall: 9

I guess I've got this thing for smoke; sitting around smokey campfires as a kid (and later WITH my kids); New Years Eve feasts with smoked oysters and smoked salmon; the terrific, smokey chopped pork barbecue in Lexington NC; and this fantastic Rauchbier at J.T. Whitneys. It pours a pale amber color with a thin, creamy head. The nose is faintly sweet with only hints of smoke. The smoked flavor is obvious but subdued; rich and luscious but not at all overpowering. Instead it serves to enhance the other complex flavors of caramel malt and floral hops; extremely well-balanced with a delightful finish. It should be no surprise that brewmaster Rich Becker is able to brew a beer this outstanding, given his knowledge, experience, and pedigree. His ancestors opened the Mahrs Brau Brewing company in Bamburg, Germany way back in 1590. Today, Mahrs is owned by his uncle, and another uncle works at a competing Bamburg brewery. And here in Madison WI, Rich brews some of the best ales available anywhere, including this Rauch that should make his uncles proud.

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 9 | Mouthfeel: 9 | Flavor: 8 | Overall: 9

This is one of the few brewpubs that makes a full-flavored smoked beer, not just a hint of smoke in the aftertaste. There is a bacony quality to it which is quite nice. I imagine this would go even better with barbeque!

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 9 | Mouthfeel: 6 | Flavor: 7 | Overall: 6

GABF '03 I like this style and gave this beer one of my higher ratings for it. Nice aroma, flavor and finish.