Category Archives: Smokebeer

Klostergarden – Alstadberger – 6.75 out of 7 smokestacks

Posted on January 5, 2018 by SmokeBeerMinistry

Alstadberger is really good. Klostergarden is a great example of an organization that focused so closely on honing their craft of this beer, that they were able to refine this into a world leading example of smokebeer. Some brewers simply … Continue reading →

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Birra del Convento – Carrobiolo O.G. 1111 – 7 out of 7 smokestacks

Posted on December 22, 2017 by SmokeBeerMinistry

Nectar of the Gods right here. This is the best beer SmokeBeerMinistry had in 2017. Carrobiolo O.G. 1111 is a beer demon that devoured a bunch of other beers and grew stronger. I can taste Fort Collins in there, Schlenkerla, … Continue reading →

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Birra Troll – Shangrila Fume – 5 smokestacks out of 7

Posted on December 1, 2017 by SmokeBeerMinistry

Italians aren’t known for their beer, but the few times that we’ve crossed paths, they seem to deliver smokebeer in good order, so hats off to them. After a ‘who knows how long’ layover at Parti-Pak in Indianapolis, this beer … Continue reading →

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B. Nektar – Cherry Chipotle – 2.25 smokestacks of mead

Posted on November 24, 2017 by SmokeBeerMinistry

Little twist here, clearly this will receive the ‘not a smokebeer’ tag, but technically this isn’t even a beer. It’s a mead. Nonetheless, the infallible palate of the Ministry has an opinion to share about this libation based on the … Continue reading →

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Moody Tongue – Applewood Gold (bottle) – 4.4 smokestacks out of 7

Posted on November 17, 2017 by SmokeBeerMinistry

This beer is different from the last one I had on draft about a year ago, and this is for the better. Last years Applewood Gold had flavors dissipate into the ether from what I recall, and if I were … Continue reading →

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Tioga-Sequoia Brewing – SMOKE CHASER Reserve Double Barrel – 3.5 smokestacks out of 7

Posted on November 10, 2017 by SmokeBeerMinistry

Part 3 for the SMOKE CHASER barrel variants, and the takeaway is, they’re all the same beer. Without having had the two other versions of this beer in rapid succession (a rye whiskey barrel aged version and a bourbon barrel … Continue reading →

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Tioga-Sequoia Brewing – SMOKE CHASER Bourbon Barrel – 3.25 out of 7

Posted on November 3, 2017 by SmokeBeerMinistry

Here’s part 2 for SMOKE CHASER, the bourbon barrel aged smoked barley wine beer by Tioga-Sequoia. There are no more than 999 of these still floating around out there, so if you want one, go now, but you should probably read … Continue reading →

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Tioga-Sequoia Brewing Company – SMOKE CHASER Rye Whiskey Barrel – 3 smokestacks (out of 7)

Posted on October 27, 2017 by SmokeBeerMinistry

We have a back to back to back review here with Smoke Chaser, a cherry wood smoked barley wine that’s been aged in a rye whiskey barrel. The other two are of the same beer, one having been aged in … Continue reading →

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Saugatuck – Bonfire Brown – 4 smokestacks out of 7

Posted on October 20, 2017 by SmokeBeerMinistry

Its got fire in the name. Its got a picture of fire, and some kind of spiritual seance or some shit going on in the picture (which doesn’t indicate smoke, but at least it excites ministers in Smoke Beer Ministry). … Continue reading →

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The Blind Pig – Smoked Lager – 3.9 smokestacks out of 7

Posted on October 13, 2017 by SmokeBeerMinistry

Not to be confused with the Smoked Rye Lager that The Blind Pig made about 6 months ago, this beer, Smoked Lager, came out just behind the rye in it’s overall score. With a 3.9 smokestack rating (out of 7) … Continue reading →

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Sierra Nevada/Garage Project – Campout Porter – 3.1 smokestacks out of 7

Posted on October 6, 2017 by SmokeBeerMinistry

Had to buy a whole 12 pack to get this one beer. In mid 2017 Sierra Nevada put out this special “Beer Camp – Across the World” 12 pack with 12 different kinds of beer in it, all collaborative efforts … Continue reading →

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2nd Story Brewing – Old City is Burning – 5.8 smokestacks out of 7

Posted on September 22, 2017 by SmokeBeerMinistry

Smells like smoke. Old City is Burning has a nice medium malty character that distinguishes itself early on in the tasting of this one. This beer really distinguishes itself as a true rauchbier, which is at the heart of what … Continue reading →

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Brewery Vivant – Undertaker – 4 smokestacks out of 7

Posted on September 15, 2017 by SmokeBeerMinistry

Not a smokebeer, but the label says subtle smokiness so this investigation ensued. Undertaker is alright. I’d drink it again. My friend is an undertaker and says people are dying to see him. Probably not the case with this beer, … Continue reading →

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Earthen Ales – Ale of the Earth – 3 smokestacks (out of 7)

Posted on September 8, 2017 by SmokeBeerMinistry

No ghost writers here. Mike Lorr, friend of the ministry and honorary minister gets all the glory for drinking, evaluating, and writing about this one. All the way up in Traverse City, Michigan, a place called Earthen Ales offers up … Continue reading →

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Left Hand Brewing – Fade to Black – 3.9 out of 7 smokestacks

Posted on September 1, 2017 by SmokeBeerMinistry

Left Hand makes good beer, and even in this case, well, it’s ok. I sure remember their Smoke Jumper beer, and I remember someone online erroneously claiming that this, Fade to Black, was also a smokebeer. I am here to … Continue reading →

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Oskar Blues – Old Chub – 4.4 smokestacks out of 7

Posted on August 25, 2017 by SmokeBeerMinistry

Oskar Blues is a well known and fairly well liked brewery out of Colorado. You’ve probably seen their cans out and about, like the green Old Chub, the red and blue Dale’s Pale Ale, and don’t they have a pilsner … Continue reading →

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Harmony Brewing Company – Black Squirrel Smoked Porter – 5.5 smokestacks

Posted on August 18, 2017 by SmokeBeerMinistry

Erected inside an old sausage factory, the aromas of Harmony might remind you of an old pub in Germany. But, as you may have guessed, Harmony is one of the many places that have opened recently. Established in Grand Rapids, … Continue reading →

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Lakefront Brewery – NATHAN Smoked Dark Lager – 6 smokestacks out of 7

Posted on August 11, 2017 by SmokeBeerMinistry

For several years now (2017) Lakefront Brewing has been issuing beers in their My Turn series where they allow employees to take turns making a beer of their choice. And two of those were smokebeers that SmokeBeerMinistry was fortunate enough … Continue reading →

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Meantime (do-over review) – Old Smoked Bock – 3 out of 7

Posted on August 4, 2017 by SmokeBeerMinistry

Well, Meantime Old Smoked Bock is getting better, slightly. This is a do-over review after the last bottle caught some kind of disease, destroying the beer. A friend of the ministry named Mugs requested this beer get a do-over after … Continue reading →

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Pipeworks – Smoke Break Abduction – 5.5 smokestacks

Posted on July 14, 2017 by SmokeBeerMinistry

Pipeworks Brewing Company whipped up a smoked imperial stout brewed with cherrywood, beechwood, and oak smoked malts and named it Smoke Break Abduction. This beer pours like Hershey’s syrup releasing few notes of smoke. So few that the smoke may … Continue reading →

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Ale Smith – Wee Heavy – 3.5 smokestacks out of 7

Posted on July 7, 2017 by SmokeBeerMinistry

Wee Heavy smells like a beer from San Diego, a sweet beer from San Diego. I smell caramel, roasted malts, and something weird. Kinda reminds me of a bunch of Fort Collins beers, along with whatever they use on the … Continue reading →

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Founders – KBS (2017) – 5 smokestacks out of 7

Posted on June 30, 2017 by SmokeBeerMinistry

Good news to report here: This is just about the same beer as it was last year. Before you reply “No shit” please realize that consistency is a major hurdle for brewers, in fact some breweries have completely given up … Continue reading →

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Sixpoint Brewery – The Brunt – 2.5 out of 7 smokestacks

Posted on May 26, 2017 by SmokeBeerMinistry

Quick story about Six Point, apparently we have some connection to each other. A friend of the Ministry from NYC mentioned a Madison, Wisconsin, connection to us in reference to Sixpoint’s founder/s, while we were in Houston, TX. Time will … Continue reading →

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The Blind Pig Brewery- Smoked Rye Lager – 4.2 smokestacks (out of 7)

Posted on May 12, 2017 by SmokeBeerMinistry

Had to go on-site for this review. The Blind Pig brewery of Champaign, Illinois, made another smoked beer and I slipped in there to review it. And they delivered another positive experience no matter how you look at it. Smoked … Continue reading →

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Country Boy Brewing – Barreled Jalapeño Smoked Porter – 3 out of 7 smokestacks

Posted on April 28, 2017 by SmokeBeerMinistry

This beer smells like peppers, bell peppers, green bell peppers. Taste = peppers, bell peppers, green bell peppers. There is a nice burn to it after a few seconds that helped me get the thought of stringent bell peppers off … Continue reading →

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De Molen – Rook & Vuur – 4 out of 7

Posted on April 21, 2017 by SmokeBeerMinistry

De Molen’s Rook & Vuur is a smoked ale with chili peppers and as you can see here, I had to let this one settle down before I could even get the entire bottle poured, let alone start to drink … Continue reading →

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To Øl – Smoke on the Porter, Fire in the Rye – 6 out of 7

Posted on April 14, 2017 by SmokeBeerMinistry

I poured the whole thing down in there, all 0.375 liters. To Øl’s Smoke on the Porter, Fire in the Rye smelled malty-smoky, almost peaty, with a touch of chili in the nose. I took a sip and the first thing … Continue reading →

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Pipeworks – Chipotle Smoked Porter – 5.5 out of 7

Posted on April 7, 2017 by SmokeBeerMinistry

If there ever was a chance for a Pipeworks success, this was it. After delivering 3 consecutive shelf turds, Pipeworks finally stumbles across a working recipe. And my state of mind was primed to like just about anything after 10 … Continue reading →

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Marz Community Brewing Co. – marzcal kolsch – 3.8 smokestacks out of 7

Posted on April 1, 2017 by SmokeBeerMinistry

Gusher! This beer was a gusher. It foamed up and out of the bottle as soon as I opened it, and all over my wife’s library books, actually, I guess they are everybody’s library books. So that sucked. After half … Continue reading →

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Karben4 – Night Call : Smoked Porter (bottle) – 4 out of 7

Posted on March 29, 2017 by SmokeBeerMinistry

Smells like smoked malts. Cool looking bottle. No head, which may be hampering me from pulling out any other distinct flavors. It tastes like an okay porter. It’s as dark as all get out with my phone’s light barely able … Continue reading →

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Pipeworks – The Long Hair Affair – 1.8 smokestacks out of 7

Posted on March 23, 2017 by SmokeBeerMinistry

If you must put the word hair in the name of your beer, write it like Pipeworks has and make it illegible. The Long Hair Affair is a kolsch beer brewed with hemp seeds and mesquite honey, fermented in oak. … Continue reading →

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XBeeriment – #44 Smoked Stout – 4.8 smokestacks out of 7

Posted on March 23, 2017 by SmokeBeerMinistry

XBeeriment’s #44 Smoked Stout, brewed to celebrate Barack Obama’s inauguration as the 44th President of the United States, is the non-barrel aged beer in the series. A few years back I reviewed the barrel aged edition, which you can read … Continue reading →

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Big Thorn Farm – Smoked Lager – 2 out of 7

Posted on March 21, 2017 by SmokeBeerMinistry

Watery. The kind of water without carbonation, you know, water. This beer smelled okay at first, but those hopes were quickly dashed by the taste. I thought that the keg was getting low and would have perhaps kicked myself for … Continue reading →

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Braustelle – Freigeist Pear Abraxxxas Lichtenhainer – 4 out of 7

Posted on March 14, 2017 by SmokeBeerMinistry

This review is the 5th and final part of the Freigeist Bierkultur beer reviews, where Eherenfeider, Hoppeditz, Apple, Pear, and regular Lichtenhainer, were all reviewed consecutively… Good beer, but still of the same cut of wood as the Freigeist Apple … Continue reading →

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Braustelle – Freigeist Abraxxxas Apple Lichtenhainer – 4 out of 7 smokestacks

Posted on March 10, 2017 by SmokeBeerMinistry

Apple? Apple lichtenhainer? Well, I guess so, but I hope you weren’t expecting something comparable to a cider, because I’m not getting much apple at all. And I’m barely getting any smoke for that matter, and I just had the … Continue reading →

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Braustelle – Freigeist Hoppeditz – 4 out of 7

Posted on February 9, 2017 by SmokeBeerMinistry

Here’s part 2 of the 5 Freigeist reviews. Hoppeditz is another beer that has the word smoke printed on the label, and was therefore rightfully delivered straight to the Ministry officials at SmokeBeerMinistry for a proper smoke rating. And while … Continue reading →

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Braustelle – Freigeist Ehrenfelder – 4 out of 7 (not a smokebeer)

Posted on February 7, 2017 by SmokeBeerMinistry

Here’s the first installment of a 5 part series where Freigeist beers are reviewed. And this beer, Ehrenfeider, an unfiltered altbier, is oddly enough tagged in the not a smokebeer category. Why review it? Well, the description on the label states … Continue reading →

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Against the Grain – Mac Fanny Baw (bottle) – 3.8 smokestacks out of 7

Posted on February 4, 2017 by SmokeBeerMinistry

Against the Grain’s Mac Fanny Baw (bottle) ain’t so bad. A nice campfire smoke taste greets you at the first sip although the smoke smells are more hidden. Bitter flavors are in there too. Then, as I sat there watching … Continue reading →

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Stillwater Artisanal – Fear of Ghosts – 5 smokestacks (out of 7)

Posted on January 25, 2017 by SmokeBeerMinistry

Stillwater Artisanal’s Fear of Ghosts beer is a smoked sour farmhouse wheat ale, and that description written on the bottle is half of my review right there. Sour notes found their way to my olfactory glands seconds after popping the … Continue reading →

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New Glarus – Smoke on the Porter – 6.7 smokestacks out of 7

Posted on January 24, 2017 by SmokeBeerMinistry

People of Wisconsin speak highly with conviction of the great accolades of New Glarus Brewing. One thing that New Glarus does better than anyone is please the masses alongside the beer snobs (level 5 beer snobs). Spotted Cow, now available … Continue reading →

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De Dochter van de Korenaar – Charbon smoked vanilla stout – 3 out of 7 smokestacks

Posted on January 23, 2017 by SmokeBeerMinistry

Charbon smells and pours fine, meaning nothing stood out as notable at the start. This beer tastes belgian, like a smoked belgian, with a funny vanilla in it, and do I detect juniper? And now that I have reviewed the … Continue reading →

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Rogue – Fresh Roast – 4 out of 7 smokestacks

Posted on January 20, 2017 by SmokeBeerMinistry

Let’s start off with roasted DOES NOT EQUAL smoked, but, the image of flames and malts on the bottle incited too much curiosity to resist. Plus, for $5 or $6 it didn’t seem like too big of a risk. Therefore, … Continue reading →

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Benford Brewing – Smoked O’Hickory – 3 out of 7 smokestacks

Posted on January 5, 2017 by SmokeBeerMinistry

Only the 5th smokebeer I’ve ever seen in a can (and 2nd this week). That’s unusual. It’s also unusual to see silt pour out of a can, but with beer companies throwing everything and the kitchen sink into the market, … Continue reading →

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Wild Heaven – Funkenrauch – 5.85 out of 7

Posted on December 30, 2016 by SmokeBeerMinistry

Funkenrauch is a smoked wild ale aged in bordeaux barrels which smells great with moderate notes of campfire wafting around; smells better than it tastes, not to take anything away from the taste (5.85 overall is a solid score, and … Continue reading →

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Arrogant Brewing – 2016 Double Bastard Bigger Longer Uncut – 5.2 out of 7

Posted on December 29, 2016 by SmokeBeerMinistry

I liked this beer. I had to get that out of the way before I start insulting Stone Brewing, Arrogant Brewing, the person who named the beer, the graphic designer who isn’t pulling their weight. Hang on, I won’t insult … Continue reading →

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Burn’Em Brewing – Smoke That Shizz – 2.5 out of 7

Posted on December 29, 2016 by SmokeBeerMinistry

False advertisement I tell you. If you bought a BMW and brought it home to discover that you’d been given a Mercedes, you’d be a little bitter (like the beer). Both great cars, but not delivered as advertised. This is … Continue reading →

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Against the Grain – Bo & Luke – 4 out of 7

Posted on December 9, 2016 by SmokeBeerMinistry

For all the flack that the beer community gives Against the Grain, they are able to produce ok beers from time to time. Plus, they’ve been able to convince the team over at De Molen brewery to collaborate and produced … Continue reading →

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HammerHeart Brewing Co. – Von Winterherz Verhasst (Oak Smoked Wheat Hefeweizen) – 4.5 out of 7 smokestacks

Posted on December 7, 2016 by SmokeBeerMinistry

SmokeBeerMinistry will visit HammerHeart soon… soon after winter. SBM stumbled across Von Winterherz Verhasst at HopCat in Lexington, KY and the real takeaway is HammerHeart has their eye on the prize. Seemingly half of everything HammerHeart makes is smoked, if … Continue reading →

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Terrapin Beer Co. – Smoke on the Porter – Overall score 2.5 smokestacks out of 7

Posted on November 30, 2016 by SmokeBeerMinistry

Thank you very much Terrapin for giving smoked beers a chance in your line up, now please get serious about making a good product. I don’t understand how any brewery can put out 60 plus beers (and 25 retired beers) and … Continue reading →

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Jester King – Gotlandsdricka smoked farmhouse ale – 5.5 out of 7

Posted on November 17, 2016 by SmokeBeerMinistry

Gotlandstricka “Drink of the Land of Goths” or “Drink of the Good Lands” presents a beer inspired by the beer that the Vikings may have had. This beer is different, and good. Smoke smell wafts out upon opening the bottle … Continue reading →

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