DRAFT Magazine

The BJCP guidelines for this style state the smoke levels in the beer can have a “varying balance and intensity.” This brew is squarely on the “intense” side of the smoke scale. It pours deep amber with a creamy, tan head. The smoke wafts up immediately after the bottle is uncapped and fills the air as it’s poured into the glass. A bacony, almost oily fragrance also mingles with the smoke. When the beer hits the tongue, there is an initial caramel sweetness from the malted barley, but it’s very quickly overrun by the muscular smoke flavors. The taste also has a baconlike quality -- sweet and meaty. This smoked flavor doesn’t go away quickly and digs into the sides and back of the mouth for several minutes.