Tuesday, October 06, 2009

Beer Notes: Schlenkerla Smokebeer


The Aecht Schlenkerla Smokebeer Märzen is a great dark Bavarian beer from a famous brewery in Bamberg. The word Schlenkerla comes from "schlenkern" which means, in the Frankish dialect, "not walking straight"- appropriate enough for a beer. It's a very good brew. However, you really do need to get used to the smoky flavor, which results from exposing the malt to burning beech logs. The first sip is a bit like drinking a beer that someone's flicked their cigarette ash in! After that, it really does grow on you. It's surprisingly rich and melllow tasting, and by the time you're done with the bottle, it's quite enjoyable. The company prints coasters reading: "Even if the brew tastes somewhat strange at the first swallow, do not stop, because soon you will realize that your thirst will not decrease and your pleasure will visibly increase." Quite right. For understandable reasons, it would probably go best with fire-grilled meats. Well, or a cigarette!

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