Aecht Schlenkerla Aecht Schlenkerla Eiche
What the brewers say
The malt for this beer is kilned with oak wood. The resulting Oak Smoke Malt has a smooth, layered smoky note. The complex smokiness is paired with the multifaceted bitterness of the finest Hallertau aroma hops. With 8% alcohol and amber color, it matures for months in the brewery cellars underneath Bamberg into a special treat for Christmas.
What our panel thought
Aroma: Smoky, malty, complex, and alluring. No hops. Some spicy notes and even a touch of tartness. Reminiscent of bacon, campfire, and ash. Melanoidin and toffee malt supply candy-like sweetness.
Flavor: Full of malt and smoke without being sticky. Slight oxidation in the malt body is mostly hidden by the smoke. Some dark fruit (prune-like) sweetness. Smoky sweetness hits first and lingers in the smooth, warming alcohol finish. Aftertaste is crisp with a touch of ashy graininess.
Overall: A perfectly balanced classic. Good malt complexity plays well with the smoke to create a rich example of the style. The Scotch of beers! Incredibly smooth. Smoked beer fans, rejoice!
