Category Archives: Educate

X Beeriment – Black Force One Smoked Imperial Stout (Bourbon Barrel Edition) – 5.9 out of 7

Posted on July 22, 2016 by SmokeBeerMinistry

I like this one better! (better than the Black Force One regular beer which I just reviewed, scroll down for that). That’s one difference I pulled out… the barreled beer is better. Another difference is the viscosity. It poured like … Continue reading →

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X Beeriment – Black Force One Smoked Imperial Stout – 4.8 out of 7

Posted on July 22, 2016 by SmokeBeerMinistry

I found a similar beer called #44 barrel edition from XBeeriment a while back, but wasn’t able to get the regular #44 to compare the two, which I even mentioned in the review. Well, persistence paid off because just 2 years … Continue reading →

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Tyranena – Benji’s Smoked Imperial Porter brewed with chipotle pepper – 4.9 out of 7

Posted on July 13, 2016 by SmokeBeerMinistry

I like this beer. I don’t like the word ballsy on the label, which is their way of describing the entire Brewer’s Gone Wild series of beers. Beer culture does have an irreverent angle to it, but I’d like that … Continue reading →

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Mikkeller – Chipotle Porter – 3 out of 7

Posted on July 13, 2016 by SmokeBeerMinistry

Below are my thoughts that were jotted down while drinking this beer: Thick beer. Dark thick head. The head is so thick I can’t see my light for the opacity rating. Musty. Hot. Thick. Has Mikkeller ever made the same … Continue reading →

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Birrificio del Ducato – Brett Peat Daydream – 4 out of 7

Posted on July 7, 2016 by SmokeBeerMinistry

It’s that Italian beer company again (Birrificio) with a confusing note on the bottle about a 16.5% portion of the beer having been in a scotch whiskey barrel, and NOT a 16.5% abv. The abv is for this 11.2oz bottle … Continue reading →

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5 Rabbit Brewery – 5 Vulture – 2* out of 7 (not a smokebeer)

Posted on July 6, 2016 by SmokeBeerMinistry

So, to start this one off, please note this beer is NOT A SMOKEBEER, and therefore should not be judged against other smokebeers. Therefore this review uses the same metrics, but gives the overall score as if it were a … Continue reading →

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Goose Island – Bourbon County Brand Stout – 5 out of 7

Posted on July 2, 2016 by SmokeBeerMinistry

Anybody ever heard of this one? Well, funny story here, 6 or 7 years ago, when I held my first smokebeer tasting ever (even before SmokeBeerMinistry), I hadn’t heard of BCBS. But my friendly beer store guy heard I was … Continue reading →

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The Bling Pig Brewery – Rauchweizen – 5 out of 7

Posted on July 1, 2016 by SmokeBeerMinistry

Gotta keep this one brief… Tastes like a wheat beer with smoke down in there somewhere. You will not miss the wheat, it’s a big wheaty beer, which is just fine, pretty sweet. Rauchweizen really reminds me of Crop Circle … Continue reading →

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Marz Brewing – Smoke Wheat Everyday – 5.7 out of 7 smokestacks of happiness

Posted on June 27, 2016 by SmokeBeerMinistry

If you know Grodziskies (Gratzers), then you’re prepared for this beer. The wheat composition and light power of alcohol compels you to rock back, slouch, and soak in the setting sun. After working all day in my yard, it’s easy … Continue reading →

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Stone – 6th Anniversary Porter (Bottle) – 3.5 out of 7

Posted on June 20, 2016 by SmokeBeerMinistry

Good news… this beer tastes ALMOST EXACTLY like the Stone 6th Anniversary Porter on draft. It is so similar that I am going to copy and paste most of my review of the draft below. I will say this however, … Continue reading →

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Stone – 6th Anniversary Porter (Draft) – 3.5 out of 7

Posted on June 18, 2016 by SmokeBeerMinistry

Stone 6th Anniversary Porter tastes a good bit like all their other smoke beers. A little less smoky (4.5 smokestacks of smokepower taste) and more hoppy. It tastes acidic, which makes sense, this recipe is one of their old recipes … Continue reading →

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Meantime – Old Smoked Bock – 1 out of 7 (Smokestacks of sadness)

Posted on April 3, 2016 by SmokeBeerMinistry

Something went askew with this one. Inside this corked and sealed bottle was a malty, slightly sweet, and completely flat beerish flavored fluid. At first we thought this was a cask style beer, but even those have some fizzle to … Continue reading →

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Ass Kisser – Bourbon Barrel Aged Smoked Porter Ale – 6 out of 7 Smokestacks

Posted on April 2, 2016 by SmokeBeerMinistry

Brewers have always known the promise in barrel aging, and I’ll admit that I was not an early adopter primarily because of how haphazardly the process is deployed by so many. Some have long since perfected the process, nonetheless when I … Continue reading →

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Rogue – Chipotle Ale – 4.5 out of 7

Posted on March 30, 2016 by SmokeBeerMinistry

I don’t really like pepper beers, but when smoke is involved, SmokeBeerMinistry gets involved, and this one is tasting pretty good. Not too peppery, and even less smoky… Wait, this tastes REALLY peppery, and slightly smoky. I’m drinking. Undeniably chipotle peppery, … Continue reading →

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Le Trou Du Diable – Punkrauch – 4.5 out of 7

Posted on March 25, 2016 by SmokeBeerMinistry

I was too excited to let this one wait its turn and had to review it right away. Punkrauch, an unfamiliar beer, comes from an unfamiliar brewer (Le Trou Du Diable), with one badass image on the label. A cool … Continue reading →

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Surly Brewing – NEIN Ale (Imperial Smoked Dunkelweizen) – 5 out of 7

Posted on March 21, 2016 by SmokeBeerMinistry

Nein, Surly Brewing’s Imperial Smoked Dunkelweizen, is supposed to have smoke in it, and I guess it does. It smells sweet, smoky sweet, and tastes alright. It’s a sweet, smoky, dark, wheat beer with a slight campfire taste. It’s frothy … Continue reading →

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Surly Brewing – SMOKE Lager – 6.5 out of 7

Posted on March 21, 2016 by SmokeBeerMinistry

I smell it through the bag, baby! Well, maybe not, because it’s not in a bag, and because, I can’t. But for those of you who recognize the reference, the sentiment is the same. Upon opening Surly’s SMOKE, arose the … Continue reading →

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The Blind Pig – Smoked Vienna Lager – 5.8 out of 7 smokestacks

Posted on February 22, 2016 by SmokeBeerMinistry

This works! Smells just right and with only 23% beechwood smoked malts. Oftentimes brewers use copious amounts of smoked malts and manage to muddle the flavor up so much that its hard to tell if you are even drinking beer. … Continue reading →

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Mob Craft – Tapping the Maple (Maple Smoked Beer) – 1.9 out of 7

Posted on February 20, 2016 by SmokeBeerMinistry

This recipe does not work. I know this without even tasting this beer because Mob Craft emailed me, and every other customer of this beer, and told us to dump this beer out or else it may explode. Apparently, this … Continue reading →

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Gänstaller Bräu – Smoked Imperial India Pale Ale – 5 out of 7

Posted on February 7, 2016 by SmokeBeerMinistry

I opened this one up and was greeted with a very pleasant campfire smell which prompted me to say, “oooh!” This bottom fermented Smoked Imperial India Pale Ale poured nice as well and due to my personal pouring technique, the … Continue reading →

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Ass Kisser – Stubborn Jack Smoked Porter Ale – 2 out of 7

Posted on January 24, 2016 by SmokeBeerMinistry

Smells like a thick, rich, and delicious barrel aged smoked beer. Looks and pours like one too. But the taste… where is the taste? My palate was quite prepared for something at the opposite end of the spectrum, but that … Continue reading →

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Jopen / The Monarchy – Grätzer historic ale – 3 out of 7

Posted on January 20, 2016 by SmokeBeerMinistry

Its a snow day at SBM, so you are allowed to question The Witchdoctor’s sobriety. A sour bitterness hits you front and center. Smells great. Tastes fine. The bitterness hides the wheat flavors. The smoke stands out. Tiny tiny bit … Continue reading →

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Destihl Brewery – 1920 Stout Imperiale – 5 out of 7

Posted on January 3, 2016 by SmokeBeerMinistry

Yep, this beer tastes a lot like the expensive beers are tasting nowadays… the expensive barrel aged ones. At $20 a bottle Destihl really does have to deliver a product that their customer is expecting, which in this case delivers … Continue reading →

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West O Beer – Smoked Red Ale (Bottle) – 3.2 out of 7 smokestacks

Posted on December 14, 2015 by SmokeBeerMinistry

The ministry previously conducted a review of this very beer on draft; results were similar. This is a beer so proud of itself that it boldly displays SMOKED right in front there on the label. West O is granted one … Continue reading →

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Firetucker & C.I.B. – Wildfire Smoked Sour Porter – 3.4 out of 7

Posted on December 14, 2015 by SmokeBeerMinistry

Off-site review with newly ordained ministers. First off, we don’t like collaboration beers. Why? Well, I haven’t quite worked out my philosophy on this subject yet, but I do believe that in a competitive market, there are winners and losers, … Continue reading →

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Emelisse – Rauchbier – 4.9 smokestacks

Posted on December 13, 2015 by SmokeBeerMinistry

BTW, I’m still drinkin’. I confessed my sobriety in the last post and plowed right through another review because I love smokebeer AND because my guest bedroom is filling up with rare beers, and I find that a little embarrassing. … Continue reading →

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Mikkeller – Rauch Geek – 3 out of 7

Posted on December 13, 2015 by SmokeBeerMinistry

In the spirit of full disclosure, I’ve had a few tonight. One thing about beer reviews is that one’s mood can play into the review. Regardless of my spirits (psychological or ingested), I feel fully prepared to deliver an unbiased … Continue reading →

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Epic Brewing – Smoked & Oaked Belgian Style Ale – incomplete…

Posted on November 21, 2015 by SmokeBeerMinistry

Looks and tastes like Ft. Collins out of the ashes smoked belgian… a lot like it. Its also similar to Ft. Collins other smokebeer Z Lager in a similar weirdness way. Less smoke in this than the two I just … Continue reading →

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Stillwater Artisanal – Readymade: Vacuum – 3 out of 7 smokestacks

Posted on October 25, 2015 by SmokeBeerMinistry

At first take, this beer is malty. It poured nice, smelled nice (and malty), had a nice tan head fizzle fairly quickly. Then, after a couple of sips, bitterness cropped up and it never went away. All I could think … Continue reading →

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Triptych – Smoke Me Out – 3.5 out of 7 (do-over review)

Posted on October 10, 2015 by SmokeBeerMinistry

I had to move to the garage for this one, so you may notice the unfamiliar hoodoo alter. This review is a do-over for Triptych Brewing of Savoy, Illinois. SBM offers do-overs for everyone. This do-over started with a personal … Continue reading →

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Samuel Adams – Smokehouse Rauchbier (Longshot Series) – 4.5 out of 7

Posted on October 7, 2015 by SmokeBeerMinistry

Who is this pretty boy on the label? His name is Samuel Adams Longshot, and he is the one responsible for the idea of a contest where people send in their homemade beer in search of something Boston Beer Company … Continue reading →

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Brau Brothers Brewing – Bancreagie Peated Scotch Ale – 2 out of 7 smokestacks of happiness

Posted on October 6, 2015 by SmokeBeerMinistry

Great beer, but not smoked. This beer looks, smells, and tastes like really good beer (and it is), but the “Peat And Cherry Wood Smoked Malt Blend” (I have no idea why Brau Brothers decided to capitalize every word) offer … Continue reading →

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Fort Collins Brewery – Z Smoked Amber Lager – 3 out of 7 smokestacks of happiness

Posted on September 27, 2015 by SmokeBeerMinistry

Fort Collins brings all kinds of great beer to the table. Not only do they have a robust selection of different kinds of beer, they also have a healthy library of distinctly unique smokebeers (their Out of the Ashes series … Continue reading →

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Mikkeller – Rauchpils – 4.1 smokestacks of happiness

Posted on September 16, 2015 by SmokeBeerMinistry

This is a well made beer as we have come to expect from this team. Everything they do is for sophisticates like us and Rauchpils is in line with that. Rauchpils is skunky. A nice foamy  white fluffy head emits curious aromas … Continue reading →

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Brenner Brewing Co. – Bacon Bomb Rauchbier – 6 out of 7 smokestacks of happiness

Posted on September 16, 2015 by SmokeBeerMinistry

Readers know we joke about sausage flavor seeping into smokebeers, but for whatever reason, the word “bacon” merely being substituted for sausage conjures up a far less appetizing expectation for the taste of this beer. Brenner Brewing Co. is making the exact … Continue reading →

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Stillwater Artisanal – Surround – Oak Smoked Imperial Wheat Stout – 5 out of 7 smokestacks

Posted on September 10, 2015 by SmokeBeerMinistry

This beer is for the grown folks. The word wheat might throw you off a bit because this is not a beer that wheat lovers are looking for. I’d like to give Surround to an unsuspecting wheatie and see their … Continue reading →

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Invercargill Brewery – Smokin’ Bishop – 4.5 out of 7

Posted on September 2, 2015 by SmokeBeerMinistry

Smokin’ Bishop pours a nice color with a touch of campfire and maybe even a little peat smoke wafting out a bit. The taste comes with a nice sweetness to it, a little bitterness, a smidgen malty, a tad ashy, … Continue reading →

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Aecht Schlenkerla – Fastenbier – 7 out of 7

Posted on August 13, 2015 by SmokeBeerMinistry

Schlenkerla can do no wrong in His eyes. This beer is what happens when you open the doors of your holy sanctuary to the nectar of the gods. It cannot be understated that SmokeBeerMinistry walks in stride with this marriage, … Continue reading →

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FATE – Gratzer Ale – 2 out of 7

Posted on August 5, 2015 by SmokeBeerMinistry

Not much to report about on this one (unless you want to hear about vanity in Boulder, CO brew pubs… It was like a fashion magazine in there). This beer was light on every front. Without a touch of smoke, … Continue reading →

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Backpocket – Iowa’s Swabain Hall – 4 out of 7

Posted on August 1, 2015 by SmokeBeerMinistry

El Bait Shop gets the nod on this day. Note to brewers: Try not to let your beer get upstaged by the bar. Actually, El Bait Shop isn’t all that unusual considering how many beer halls there are out there nowadays, … Continue reading →

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West O Beer – Smoked Red (Draft) – 2 out of 7

Posted on August 1, 2015 by SmokeBeerMinistry

The good news is that West O has this same beer in bottle format which is still to be reviewed. Hopefully the score will come out a bit higher from the bottle, but as far as the draft I had … Continue reading →

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Braustelle – Freigeist Abraxxxas Smoked Lichtenhainer Weisse – 5 out of 7

Posted on July 27, 2015 by SmokeBeerMinistry

Freigeist Abraxxxas is a lichtenhainer kind of beer, which is apparently slightly different from gratzers (both are kinds of smoked beers with high wheat content and a sour taste). Abraxxxas comes off as extremely similar, delivering the same compulsion to … Continue reading →

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Black Husky Brewing – Smoke Monster – 4.1 smokestacks of happiness

Posted on July 22, 2015 by SmokeBeerMinistry

Oh ya, eet ghets code up der. Way, way up in Wisconsin some dog lovers started brewing beer. Smoke Monster gets just over the hump in spite of a settlement of silt on the bottom of the bottle (looked like … Continue reading →

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To Øl – Black Ball Porter – 3 out of 7 smokestacks

Posted on July 20, 2015 by SmokeBeerMinistry

Here’s a world traveler that came from across the pond. Black Ball Porter was conceived by To Øl Brewing company of Copenhagen, Denmark, brewed at De Proefbrouwerji in Lochristi-Hijfte, Belgium, purchased in Dublin, Ireland, and brought to the US. This is … Continue reading →

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Stone – Smoked Porter with Chocolate & Orange Peel – 2 out of 7

Posted on July 20, 2015 by SmokeBeerMinistry

Tons of slimy orange and brown globs in the bottom… Do I need to keep writing? You’ve already seen what flavors they’ve dumped into their marginally acceptable smoked porter beer, so I don’t know if I need to continue. The … Continue reading →

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Beavertown Brewery – Smog Rocket Smoked Porter – 3 out of 7

Posted on July 20, 2015 by SmokeBeerMinistry

Notice the can! The sample is too small to extrapolate statistical conclusions on a smokebeer’s success when sold out of a can or not, but out of the only 2 smokebeers that I’ve ever had out of a can to … Continue reading →

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Fyne Ales Scotland – Fynebank Peat Smoked Golden Ale – 2.5 out of 7

Posted on July 17, 2015 by SmokeBeerMinistry

My goal is to drink beers that score a 7 out of 7 smokestack rating; Fynebank falls short. This beer looks and smells like a good fest beer with a touch of peaty smoke on the back end encouraging me … Continue reading →

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Siren Craft Brew/Stillwater – Smoke Signals – 4.5 smokestack points out of 7

Posted on July 16, 2015 by SmokeBeerMinistry

First off, let me point out the difference that lighting can make the beer color appear, so please forgive my lack of skill in setting the aperture and shutter speed on my *iPhone®. This beer’s color is about as light as … Continue reading →

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Brasserie La Baleine – La Gitane – 6 out of 7

Posted on June 11, 2015 by SmokeBeerMinistry

This beer tastes great! I got this one in France with cautious optimism considering that the French aren’t known for their beer, furthermore, I don’t believe I’ve ever even had a French beer. Imagine my surprise when the deep woods … Continue reading →

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Brauerei Göller – Göller Rauchbier – 6.2 out of 7 smokestacks

Posted on May 30, 2015 by SmokeBeerMinistry

We got a good one here! Bamberg smoke punches you in the nose right off the bat. The color is the Goldilocks hue, not too light, not too dark (although the picture is a bit deceiving due to some lighting … Continue reading →

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