Monthly Archives: October 2014

Aecht Schlenkerla – Oak Smoke Eiche Dopplebock – 7 out of 7 smokestacks

Posted on October 27, 2014 by SmokeBeerMinistry

Here’s the granddad smokebeer of all smokebeers. This is what I’m looking for in every beer that I drink, no matter how unlikely finding its equal may be. The smoky smells upon opening are apparent right from the start, where … Continue reading →

Posted in Beer, Educate, Enlighten, rauchbier, Smokebeer | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Aecht Schlenkerla – Helles Lagerbier – 4 out of 7 smokestacks

Posted on October 27, 2014 by SmokeBeerMinistry

Above is a bottle with the older label for Helles (Light) Lagerbier from Schlenkerla Brewery. This is important to note because this one may have been on a shelf for a year or two before I got a hold of … Continue reading →

Posted in Beer, Educate, Enlighten, rauchbier, Smokebeer | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Aecht Schlenkerla Rauchbier – Marzen – 7 out of 7 Smokestacks

Posted on October 27, 2014 by SmokeBeerMinistry

My first sip of this was like a punch in the jaw. After which I found myself in pursuit, chasing this beer down, for the rest of my life. I understand The Marzen’s reasoning, “How dare someone with a passion … Continue reading →

Posted in Beer, Educate, Enlighten, rauchbier, Smokebeer | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Aecht Schlenkerla Rauchbier – Urbock – 7 out of 7 Smokestacks

Posted on October 27, 2014 by SmokeBeerMinistry

Drink three of these and you’ll get that same feeling you’ll get when you’re out camping and you realize that sitting by the campfire has saturated your entire body with that wonderful campfire smell. No rules out here in the … Continue reading →

Posted in Beer, Educate, Enlighten, rauchbier, Smokebeer | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Aecht Schlenkerla Rauchbier – Weizen – 6 of 7 smokestacks

Posted on October 27, 2014 by SmokeBeerMinistry

Without Schlenkerla, none of this would have been possible. I’m starting to tear up just thinking about them. The Ministry reviewed Schlenkerla’s Weizen at two separate gatherings and produced slightly different results. One point of disconnect seems to be that … Continue reading →

Posted in Beer, Educate, Enlighten, rauchbier, Smokebeer | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Alaskan Brewing Co. – Smoked Porter – 6 smokestacks (out of 7)

Posted on October 27, 2014 by SmokeBeerMinistry

Here’s a good one! Dark, but not too dark. Smell = Strong. Sausage = Present. Tastes a little watery which is great if you’re really thirsty. On the back of the throat its a little ashy. Could the ashy come … Continue reading →

Posted in Beer, Educate, Enlighten, rauchbier, Smokebeer | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

BFM – Biere Ambree Parfume au Tarry Suchong – 5 Smokestacks of Happiness (out of 7)

Posted on October 27, 2014 by SmokeBeerMinistry

BFM Biere Ambree Parfumee au Tarry Suchong, which translates to Beer Amber and Perfume of Terry Bradshaw. Smells like a wheat beer to me… which is a very pleasant aroma, and I’m sure is a much better smell than Terry … Continue reading →

Posted in Beer, Educate, Enlighten, rauchbier, Smokebeer | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Big Muddy Brewing – 17ST Smoked Amber Ale – 4 Smokestacks (out of 7)

Posted on October 27, 2014 by SmokeBeerMinistry

It’s got a pig on the front, which is great because it reminds me of how much I liked the Charkoota Rye beer by New Holland that was in the very first smokebeer tasting that The Ministry ever held. However, … Continue reading →

Posted in Beer, Educate, Enlighten, rauchbier, Smokebeer | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Buffalo Bayou Brewing – Smoke On The Bayou – 2 Smokestacks (out of 7)

Posted on October 27, 2014 by SmokeBeerMinistry

Houston’s Awesome (which references Houston’s underground city slogan “Fuck You, Houston’s Awesome!) So is the barbecue at Beaver’s and Goode Company (awesome). Buffalo Bayou is an awesome name. This beer has a great name, cool waxed cap, and “Smoke” written … Continue reading →

Posted in Beer, Educate, Enlighten, rauchbier, Smokebeer | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Captain Lawrence Brewing Company – Smoked Porter – 4 out of 7 Smokestacks

Posted on October 27, 2014 by SmokeBeerMinistry

Captain Lawrence Brewing Company – Smoked Porter. The campfire smell stands up right off the bat. It looks a little lighter than Coca-Cola. Pours well, virtually no head, but was just fine with carbonation on the tongue. Presents a respectable … Continue reading →

Posted in Beer, Educate, Enlighten, rauchbier, Smokebeer | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Clown Shoes – Vampire Slayer Imperial American Stout BOTTLE – 6 Smokestacks (out of 7)

Posted on October 27, 2014 by SmokeBeerMinistry

Here’s a great concept beer. Smoked with vampire killing stakes (although its unknown if the stakes were ever used to kill vampires, or if the stakes came from an unused stash of stakes that some vampire apocalypse prepper had set … Continue reading →

Posted in Beer, Educate, Enlighten, rauchbier, Smokebeer | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Boulevard Brewing Co. – Dark Truth Stout – 6 out of 7 Smokestacks

Posted on October 27, 2014 by SmokeBeerMinistry

“My mouth just took a detour to flavor country,” which was somebody quoting something (probably Ted quoting The Simpsons) during a Ministry tasting. Purists might not consider this a smokebeer, but in the brewers description they have included the term … Continue reading →

Posted in Beer, Educate, Enlighten, rauchbier, Smokebeer | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Flying Dog Brewery – Pearl Necklace Oyster Stout – 5 out of 7 Smokestacks

Posted on October 27, 2014 by SmokeBeerMinistry

Ale brewed with oysters. Not sure if this counts as a smokebeer, but it was another one recommended by the trustworthy community leader at D&Q in Houston, and he described this as a smokebeer, right or wrong. Some samples of … Continue reading →

Posted in Beer, Educate, Enlighten, rauchbier, Smokebeer | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Fort Collins Brewery – Out of the Ashes Smoked Rye Porter – 5 out of 7 Smokestacks

Posted on October 27, 2014 by SmokeBeerMinistry

George Burns may not be here now, but I can tell he just left. This dark (6 of 7) Smoked Rye Porter comes off a little tart on the back of the tongue. BTW, I’m drinking when I do these … Continue reading →

Posted in Beer, Educate, Enlighten, rauchbier, Smokebeer | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Great Divide Brewing Co. – Smoked Baltic Porter – 4 out of 7

Posted on October 27, 2014 by SmokeBeerMinistry

Yeah, I know about this one. It’s average. They used all the right ingredients, but not quite enough for my palate. I look forward to trying this one again because I bet they’re going to amp it up in the … Continue reading →

Posted in Beer, Educate, Enlighten, rauchbier, Smokebeer | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

HaandBryggeriet – ‘norwegian wood’ – 5.5 out of 7 Smokestacks

Posted on October 27, 2014 by SmokeBeerMinistry

This traditional Norwegian smoked ale with juniper twigs and berries garnered some Ooh’s and Aah’s when the “pretty autumn color” poured into everyone’s taster glass. Then some frowns cropped up when the subtle charcoal smoky smells were breathed in. I’ve got … Continue reading →

Posted in Beer, Educate, Enlighten, rauchbier, Smokebeer | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

HaandBryggeriet – Røyk Uten ild (Smoke Without Fire) – 4.5 out of 7 Smokestacks

Posted on October 27, 2014 by SmokeBeerMinistry

This Norwegian smoked ale is probably as brown as brown can get before turning black. And given that it is so dark, you must watch out for the silt, because it is in there, laying dormant, ready for you to … Continue reading →

Posted in Beer, Educate, Enlighten, rauchbier, Smokebeer | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Jester King – CENSORED Pecan Wood Smoked Saison – 5 Smokestacks (out of 7)

Posted on October 27, 2014 by SmokeBeerMinistry

AKA Pecan Wood Salt Lick. Upon opening I poured a little bit into my glass and like a possessed demon, the foam rose all the way up to the rim of my glass. It was probably 3/4 foam. So, I … Continue reading →

Posted in Beer, Educate, Enlighten, rauchbier, Smokebeer | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Karbach Brewing Co. – Pontificator Smoked Dopplebock – 5 out of 7 Smokestacks

Posted on October 27, 2014 by SmokeBeerMinistry

Here’s the best smoker out of Houston. Karbach’s Pontificator smoked dopplebock. Cool label, trusted brewer. Easy to find in bombers and on tap. A couple of “sleepy” Ministry officials scribbled down “London speed it up! Houston Rocket!” and the other, … Continue reading →

Posted in Beer, Educate, Enlighten, rauchbier, Smokebeer | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Lakefront Brewery Inc. – Luther – Helles Rauchbier Lager – 4.1 Smokestacks (out of 7)

Posted on October 27, 2014 by SmokeBeerMinistry

For a light beer, Luther gets a particularly high score. Entrenched in the culture of Milwaukee, as well as the rest of Wisconsin for that matter, is beer culture, so it should be of no surprise that Lakefront makes a … Continue reading →

Posted in Beer, Educate, Enlighten, rauchbier, Smokebeer | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Left Hand Brewing Co. – Smoke Jumper – Smoked Imperial Porter – 5 Smokestacks out of 7

Posted on October 27, 2014 by SmokeBeerMinistry

  If you get a bomber of this one, please don’t share. The perfect amount of this one is 22 ounces. Unless you have supplemented your beer intake with some other beer (preferably some lighter beers beforehand), than smaller quantities … Continue reading →

Posted in Beer, Educate, Enlighten, rauchbier, Smokebeer | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Midnight Sun Brewing Co. – Second Hand Smoke Stout – 4 out of 7 Smokestacks

Posted on October 27, 2014 by SmokeBeerMinistry

Here’s a quick review: Dark, No light can get through this at all, in fact, I think the room just got a little darker after pouring this into a glass. Pours like Hershey’s syrup. Thick on the lips. Syrup, rich, … Continue reading →

Posted in Beer, Educate, Enlighten, rauchbier, Smokebeer | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

New Belgium/3 Floyds Collaboration – Lips of Faith Grätzer Ale – 4 out of 7

Posted on October 27, 2014 by SmokeBeerMinistry

Here’s one of 2, maybe 3 other Grätzers that I’ve come across in my travels. If smokebeer had a shandy, grätzers would be them; oak smoked wheat beer. Typically light in abv, color, and taste, Lips of Faith breaks the latter … Continue reading →

Posted in Beer, Educate, Enlighten, rauchbier, Smokebeer | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Piwo Grodziskie – Grätzer Ale – 2 Smokestacks (out of 7)

Posted on October 27, 2014 by SmokeBeerMinistry

Not long after I discovered smokebeers, I learned the word “rauch” (German for smoke), and then about 10 years passed before I learned the word “Grätzer.” Polish in origin, a Grätzer is a Sour Smoked Wheat Ale (see notes in spreadsheet). … Continue reading →

Posted in Beer, Educate, Enlighten, rauchbier, Smokebeer | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Birra Del Borgo – Perle ai Porci – Oyster Stout – 2.5 Smokestacks out of 7

Posted on October 27, 2014 by SmokeBeerMinistry

So, the best place in Houston, TX to get specialty beers, or any beer for that matter, is my old neighborhood joint D&Q Mini Mart at 806 Richmond Ave. Houston, TX 77006. The guy who owns the place I consider … Continue reading →

Posted in Beer, Educate, Enlighten, rauchbier, Smokebeer | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Ranger Creek – Mesquite Smoked Porter – 5 Smokestacks (out of 7)

Posted on October 27, 2014 by SmokeBeerMinistry

Ranger Creek has one of the cooler looking labels. The beer looks great too with a nice dark 6.5 opacity rating. As it pours out the smell of sweetness jumped out at me, with notes of smoke on the tail … Continue reading →

Posted in Beer, Educate, Enlighten, rauchbier, Smokebeer | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Ranger Creek – Small Batch Series No. 2 – Texas Farmhouse Ale – 3 out of 7

Posted on October 27, 2014 by SmokeBeerMinistry

So this one didn’t do so well. “Subtle smokiness” should be removed from the brewer’s description, along with the two other mentions of the word smoke because they got The Ministry all wound up looking for smoke. However, even with … Continue reading →

Posted in Beer, Educate, Enlighten, rauchbier, Smokebeer | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Ranger Creek – Small Batch Series No. 5 – Pecan Smoked Dopplebock – 5 Smokestacks of Happiness

Posted on October 27, 2014 by SmokeBeerMinistry

Not much to say about this one. With big breaths you can smell the smoke come and go, but then when you taste it, the smoke is much stronger, especially on the exhale. It’s a good beer, which keeps it’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Beer, Educate, Enlighten, rauchbier, Smokebeer | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Ridgeway Brewing – Querkus Smoked Oaked Porter – 4 Smokestacks

Posted on October 27, 2014 by SmokeBeerMinistry

First thought upon opening = Peat. It smells better than it tastes, but peat really isn’t the most drinkable of tastes so neither is going to get me to come back too soon. The description reads “peated whisky malt” so … Continue reading →

Posted in Beer, Educate, Enlighten, rauchbier, Smokebeer | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Evil Twin/Stillwater/Stone Collaboration 2012 – “The Perfect Crime” Black Smoked Saison – 4 out of 7

Posted on October 27, 2014 by SmokeBeerMinistry

I wonder if they knew about The Perfect Crime Co. in Scheldebrouwerij, Meer, Belgium before brewing this one? Because there’s a clone beer out there in the ether. Regardless, right at the opening of this I could not find any … Continue reading →

Posted in Beer, Educate, Enlighten, rauchbier, Smokebeer | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Scheldebrouwerij – the perfect crime SMOKING GUN (Smoked Stout) – 4 out of 7

Posted on October 27, 2014 by SmokeBeerMinistry

I don’t have much to say about this 11.2 oz bottle. Its near completely opaque color got me kind of excited about it (scoring 6.1 out of 7), but then I struggled to detect any smoke smell at all (1 … Continue reading →

Posted in Beer, Educate, Enlighten, rauchbier, Smokebeer | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Sideswipe Brewing – Elegant Hoodlum – Smoked Stout – 5 out of 7 Smokestacks

Posted on October 27, 2014 by SmokeBeerMinistry

Mike brought me this one from Ohio. For me, this one is a truly dark beer (7 out of 7), but some images on the internet show that it has worn many different colored hats in its day… I typically … Continue reading →

Posted in Beer, Educate, Enlighten, rauchbier, Smokebeer | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Starr Hill Brewery – Smoke Out Rauch Beer – 3 Smokestacks

Posted on October 27, 2014 by SmokeBeerMinistry

First thought = Hops? Bitter = Yes. And then I reluctantly acknowledge the smoke (I guess I was just shocked). This beer is like 2 beers in one; One at the top, and one at the bottom. I poured it … Continue reading →

Posted in Beer, Educate, Enlighten, rauchbier, Smokebeer | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Stone Brewing Co. – Old Guardian (2013) – Oak Smoked Barley Wine Style Ale – 2 out of 7

Posted on October 27, 2014 by SmokeBeerMinistry

Sweet, bitter, dry, tart, sour… and really only sweetness belongs in a barley wine. Maybe that’s a sign of the 2013 printed on the bottle? While I drink this my head keeps shaking “no” and I’m not making a pretty … Continue reading →

Posted in Beer, Educate, Enlighten, rauchbier, Smokebeer | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Stone Brewing Co. – Smoked Porter – 5.667 out of 7 smokestacks

Posted on October 27, 2014 by SmokeBeerMinistry

The best thing about this smokebeer is that it seems to be the most prevalent in the US. The worst thing is not enough smoke. Another good thing about this beer, $4.99 per bomber. Another bad thing, smokepower taste. Slight … Continue reading →

Posted in Beer, Educate, Enlighten, rauchbier, Smokebeer | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Stone Brewing Co. – Smoked Porter w/ Chipotle Peppers – 4.3 out of 7 (better than ‘meh’)

Posted on October 27, 2014 by SmokeBeerMinistry

As I’ve mentioned in other posts, I don’t like pepper beers. Nobody should be allowed to make them. It doesn’t make sense to mix the flavors of beer with peppers (although beer with smoke makes perfect sense to me). But, … Continue reading →

Posted in Beer, Educate, Enlighten, rauchbier, Smokebeer | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Stone Brewing Co. – Smoked Porter with Vanilla Bean – 4.2 out of 7

Posted on October 26, 2014 by SmokeBeerMinistry

You might look at this one and find yourself wondering “How in the world did this get a 4.2?” Isn’t that kind of high?” I’ll tell you how it got that high, Josh Fischer gave it a 7 out of … Continue reading →

Posted in Beer, Educate, Enlighten, rauchbier, Smokebeer | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

The Bruery – Smoking Wood – Smoked Imperial Rye Porter Aged In Rye Whiskey Barrels – 6 out of 7

Posted on October 26, 2014 by SmokeBeerMinistry

This beer is outrageous! Beyond full bodied. The color is the first sign, but did very little to prepare me for what was in store. So outrageous that The Ministry had to add the categories Whisky Barrel Power and Viscosity to … Continue reading →

Posted in Beer, Educate, Enlighten, rauchbier, Smokebeer | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Tieton Cider Works – Smoked Pumpkin Cider – 1 out of 7

Posted on October 26, 2014 by SmokeBeerMinistry

This is the worst beer I’ve ever had, and that includes a ton of warm Busch Light I stole from Paul Darryl’s keg party that I ‘uninvitedly’ sneaked into only to fill several recently emptied 3 liter bottles of Kroger … Continue reading →

Posted in Beer, Educate, Enlighten, rauchbier, Smokebeer | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Uinta Brewing Co. – Crooked Line – Tinder Rauchbier Smoked Lager – final score 6 out of 7

Posted on October 26, 2014 by SmokeBeerMinistry

Here’s a time saver; You’re probably looking for this: https://www.gotinder.com/ If not, then welcome to the only beer blog site solely dedicated to smoked beer, SmokeBeerMinistry. Uinta Brewing Co. Crooked Line Tinder Rauchbier Smoked Lager = too long of a name. … Continue reading →

Posted in Beer, Educate, Enlighten, rauchbier, Smokebeer | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Brouwerij Van Viven – Smoked Porter – 4 out of 7

Posted on October 26, 2014 by SmokeBeerMinistry

This beer comes in an 11.2oz bottle for $3 or $4 which is a bit steep, but I’m willing to pay for quality. One thing that I did not want to pay for was the 50 million little floaty thingies … Continue reading →

Posted in Beer, Educate, Enlighten, rauchbier, Smokebeer | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Woodchuck Hard Cider – Celler Series – Smoked Apple – 5 out of 7

Posted on October 26, 2014 by SmokeBeerMinistry

Woodchuck Hard Cider – Celler Series – Smoked Apple Purchased at The Hobbit Cafe in Houston TX Richmond Ave. Love that place. I’m not really a cider guy, I’m a smoke guy. So, it didn’t matter if this was a … Continue reading →

Posted in Beer, Educate, Enlighten, rauchbier, Smokebeer | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Ass Kisser Beverage Co. – Porter Pounder Smoked Porter – 3.75 out of 7

Posted on October 26, 2014 by SmokeBeerMinistry

Well, here it is… The beginning of the release of the smokebeer backlog… Let’s talk about the elephant in the room first. There is no way that Stone Smoked Vanilla beer is better than Smoked Porter Pounder even though the … Continue reading →

Posted in Beer, Educate, Enlighten, rauchbier, Smokebeer | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Fort Collins Brewery – Out Of The Ashes Mesquite Chili Lime Ale – 5 out of 7

Posted on October 25, 2014 by SmokeBeerMinistry

I’m not one to rush out and get the chili beer every year that so and so local brewery decides to make one, in fact, I don’t even like them all that much. But certain organizations have found it financially … Continue reading →

Posted in Beer, Educate, Enlighten, rauchbier, Smokebeer | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

8 Wired Brewing – The Big Smoke Smoked Porter – 5 out of 7

Posted on October 21, 2014 by SmokeBeerMinistry

This stuff is dark. It smells like smoke and it’s really dark. That was my first impression right as I poured it out. And as it poured, a tall foamed George Hamilton head rose above the glass rim. The beer … Continue reading →

Posted in Beer, Educate, Enlighten, rauchbier, Smokebeer | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Fort Collins Brewery – Out of the Ashes Smoked Marzen – 5 out of 7

Posted on October 15, 2014 by SmokeBeerMinistry

This evening we have Fort Collins Brewery Out of the Ashes Smoked Marzen shown here in a makeshift tabernacle (original tabernacle is under reconstruction). First off, I want to point out the picture of the poured beer; the visible 3 … Continue reading →

Posted in Beer, Educate, Enlighten, rauchbier, Smokebeer | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Borg Brugghus – Fenrir 26 Sheep Shit Smoked IPA – 4 out of 7

Posted on October 9, 2014 by SmokeBeerMinistry

Slightly updated on Mar. 16 2017 First and foremost, the name negatively affects the experience, at least for me it does. The Borg Fenrir Sheep Shit Smoked IPA currently on tap at The Blind Pig in Champaign IL (9oz snifter … Continue reading →

Posted in Beer, Educate, Enlighten, rauchbier, Smokebeer | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment