Aecht Schlenkerla Rauchbier Märzen
The beer is clear with a deep copper-red colour, and the large (but quickly dissolving) foam is white with small bubbles. The smell resembles the smell of fine smoked ham. There are also notes that make me think of fresh spruce wood, a pine-forest after a shower, and an old house with tar on the wooden roof. Yes, even the smell of nights at the campfire. The carbon dioxide is just right soft, pleasing and yet of firm character. The taste is fresh; it got all the qualities of a fine dark lager beer with a soft taste of smoke curing, and it could be described as eating a sandwich made of dark rye bread and a really smoked ham. Yes, there is even a little touch of salt. Except for the smoke, there are notes of sour malts, mild hops and wood tar. The aftertaste is a mixture of dry hops, some fruity notes, a little burned taste and some mild smoke. The aftertaste vanishes surprisingly fast, leaving just a tar-ish taste, just like a young Islay whisky. A very nice and special beer, that I think is best enjoyed by itself. The very special smell and taste will probably dominate any sort of food or even snacks.