Not to be confused with their smoked German style counterparts - the rauchbiers - or the Scottish ales, smoked ales are a class of ales (of theoretically any other substyle) that is smoked to achieve smoky aromas and flavors. Porters are the most common base style and various sources (e.g. peat, oak, maple, alder, mesquite, beechwood, and fruit woods) can be used to obtain the smoky properties of a smoked ale (the malt ingredients are smoked prior to brewing). Regardless of the base style, the smoking should seek to enhance and not overpower the base beer. Generally, the smoked flavors are less prominent in smoked ales than those found in rauchbiers.
