Found one in a can! Which is fun, because it’s so rare, but its really not that exciting because the canned smokebeers I’ve had have all been below average. And this one, which is only the 6th can in a field of over 200 unique smokebeers, falls into the marginal category as well. And it started out so well… Cracking it open released notes of a crackling campfire into the air. And the taste of wood smoked malts was not muddled with any other flavors that you might expect from a marzen (or more appropriately called Oktoberfest given its September release). With each successive sip, however, my tongue got drier and drier. Although smokepower maintained its muster throughout the pint, bitterness began to really add up to an acidic phenolic experience. Which is unfortunate because in this particular instance, I found myself making an extra effort, searching for something inside this glass to praise, but never found much. Overall metric quantified in a 1 to 7 scale of smokestacks = 4.2 smokestacks.
| Brewer | Blue Blood Brewing |
| Beer Name | Smoked Marzen |
| Brewer’s lengthy Description of the history of some stupid cave in Nebraska. Beer, not mentioned. | Would you believe it’s been a hideout for Jesse James, a sacred temple for Pawnee Indians and even the site of an Old West-style duel? Maybe. Maybe not. But one thing is certain. Robbers Cave was used to lager beer made by Pioneer Brewery, the first operation of its kind in Lincoln, Neb., founded in 1869. More than a century later, we’ve restored the cave to its true calling. Inspired by the wild legends of this Nebraska landmark, the Robbers Cave Series is home to a unique, ever-changing lineup of beers. Sip. Enjoy. Savor. |
| Food Pairings | Sliced ham and candied bacon sandwich |
| Brewer Location | Lincoln, Nebraska |
| Alcohol content by volume | 5.3% |
| IBU (International Bitterness Units) | 20 |
| Beer opacity rate 1 – 7 (light – dark) | 2.5 |
| Smell smoke? 1 – 7 (No – George Burns) | 4.8 |
| Smokepower taste: 1 – 7 Smokestacks | 3.8 |
| Sausage detection? Y or N | Y |
| Beer thickness 1-7 (water – used motor oil) | 2.8 |
| Overall Happiness Rating: 1-7 (low – high) | 4.2 |
A typical smokebeer mentioned in name only on this typical website.
SmokeBeerMinistry 