Wolf's Ridge Brewing Buchenrauch
What the brewers say
Rauchbier, brewed with beechwood-smoked barley.
What our panel thought
First sniff like cherry branches on the smoker while sipping a malty dunkel—dark toffee, a bit of harsh smoke. Flavor blasts rich malt with dried plum and date, wrapped in melanoidin and chocolate malts. Hops plus smoke leave a heavy-handed impression. Smoke is rich but smooth and pleasant.
What our editors thought
Multidimensional nose with layers of brown sugar, smoke, molasses, and treacle. In the sip, big bass and low-mid notes drive a pounding rhythm, while shimmering smoke on top adds definition to the rich body.