Samuel Adams Bonfire Rauchbier
Acquired in a seasonal pack from a Hyvee in Omaha, NE. Best before February 2012. Poured into a standard US pint glass. Pour produces a fairly large (2+cm) head composed of fairly large, dirty-brown bubbles. Decreases fairly rapidly, leaves no lacing. Body is a dark brown color with reddish highlights. Transparent, with visible carbonation. Nothing special here. Aroma of slightly sour, smoky malt, some raisins and figs, slight chocolate, and metal (iron). Good, but a little lacking in smokiness in a rauchbier for my tastes. Taste is decidedly of saltiness, nutty, caramel and toffee flavors upfront, alongside some slightly sour smoke and dark malt. Bacon tastes are present, but fairly minimal. Smoke occupies the second priority here, being balanced by malt sweetness. Fairly heavy to medium-heavy bodied. Carbonation is initially a bit too high, but this settles as it warms. Then, the mouthfeel is fairly smooth and creamy; carbonation not too atrocious. I find this to be a generally tasty rauchbier, fairly middle of the road as it's a bit on the sweet and not-so-smoky side, but still very drinkable and a representation I'd visit again should it be available apart from others beers in the SA portfolio.