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

Posted on October 27, 2014 by SmokeBeerMinistry

Side Swipe Elegant Hoodlum

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 like the darker hats. I poured this into a glass and hit it with the brightest light I could find (from my phone), and light only revealed a deep amber red color just around the outside edge. Smell was less than forthcoming where I had to be coaxed into bumping it up to a 4 Smokestacks opacity rating. Then the battle of wits began where I said to the official SmokeBeerMinister and Chef and dad to be, Manuel, “I don’t smell any smoke.” and he said, “I totally smell the smoke.” and then I said, “I smell the smoke.” and he said, “Less smoke now.” I’ll spare you the rest, but I have pages and pages of stenographer’s notes. The taste is malty. The silt probably cost it a point in overall happiness. And I dribbled a bunch on my chin. Overall Happiness: 5 out of 7 Smokestacks.

Brewer Sideswipe Brewing
Beer Name Elegant Hoodlum Smoked Stout
Brewer’s Description Meant to be enjoyed in a cracked leather chair in a smoke-filed, dimly lit jazz club, this big, dark stout accentuated by roasted malt goes down smoothly. Flaked oats, rye and wheat give the lightly smoked beer a refreshing full-bodied flavor. Take a sip, relax and let it wash over you.
Food Pairings Turkey (unverified)
Brewer Location Columbus, Ohio
Alcohol content by volume 7.0%
IBU (International Bitterness Units) unknown
Beer opacity rate 1 – 7 (light – dark) 7
Smell smoke? 1 – 7 (No – George Burns) 4
Sausage detection? Y or N N
Smokepower taste: 1 – 7 Smokestacks 4
Overall Happiness: 1 – 7 (low – high) 5

Columbus Ohio, home of the Arnold Classic, is shared with Sideswipe:

http://www.sideswipebrewing.com/

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Starr Hill Brewery – Smoke Out Rauch Beer – 3 Smokestacks

Posted on October 27, 2014 by SmokeBeerMinistry

Starr Hill Smoke Out

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 just right to avoid getting all the silt down in my glass, but whatever elements I got in my glass anyway, still settled down in the glass fast enough to make the experience change while downing this one. And I hate silt. Halfway through, the bitterness is getting overpowered by the sweetness, and the smoke is still coming through, which can often either dissipate or shoot down your taste buds with too much flavor. Starr Hill musta caught The Witchdoctor on a bad night. One extra point for calling it a rauch beer. Overall Happiness: 3 Smokestacks.

Brewer Starr Hill Brewery
Beer Name Smoke Out
Brewer’s Description A medium-bodied German-style smoke beer. The flavor is malty with a slight sweetness that gives way to an aroma of smoke, bacon and campfire. The beer is fermented at cold temperatures with Bavarian Lager yeast to round out its strong flavor.
Food Pairings pot brownies
Brewer Location Charlottesville, VA
Alcohol content by volume 5.8%
IBU (International Bitterness Units) 20
Beer opacity rate 1 – 7 (light – dark) 2
Smell smoke? 1 – 7 (No – George Burns) 3
Sausage detection? Y or N N
Smokepower taste: 1 – 7 Smokestacks 4
Overall Happiness: 1 – 7 (low – high) 3

I guess their webmaster knows what they are doing:

http://starrhill.com/

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

Posted on October 27, 2014 by SmokeBeerMinistry

20160601_224011.jpg

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 face with each consecutive sip. This beer smells alright, and it looks like something I want, but I don’t. This beer is a mixed bag. It keeps pulling me in and then pushes me away again… and there’s smoke in it. The smoke tastes like an after thought, perhaps something that was added after a barley wine recipe went haywire. But Stone is a reputable brewer and I seriously doubt they would get wrapped up in shenanigans like that. Furthermore, Stone is an absolute industry leader when it comes to delivering new smokebeers to the SBM market, If only they could hit one out of the park. Also, there’s a distracting chapter or two of War and Peace stamped on the back of the bottle for some reason, or whatever the hell it is its as long as shit… I ain’t reading that. Overall Happiness metric : 2 smokestacks out of 7.

Brewer Stone Brewing
Beer Name Old Guardian OAK SMOKED
Brewer’s Description The odd year Stone Old Guardian OAK-SMOKED Barley Wine is the Stone Old Guardian Barley Wine recipe tweaked to include oak-smoked wheat malt. The beer pours a deep amber, darker than the original version, and exhibits a faint smokiness in the nose. As with the original, the flavor is rich and malty, but laced with subtle smokiness due to the addition of the oak-smoked wheat malt, which accounts for 20 percent of the grain bill. The flavors blend well together, and the smoky tones complement the beer’s larger-than-life character.
Food Pairings Smoked ham, smoked pork butt, beef teriyaki, grilled portabella, lamb shoulder
Brewery Location San Diego, CA
Alcohol content by volume 11.64%
IBU (International Bitterness Units) 70
Beer opacity rate 1 – 7 (light – dark) 3.3
Smell smoke? 1 – 7 (No – George Burns) 5
Sausage detection? Y or N N
Smokepower taste: 1 – 7 Smokestacks 2
Overall Happiness: 1 – 7 (sad – happy) 2

Learn more from their impressive website:

http://www.stonebrewing.com/beer/special-releases/stone-old-guardian-oak-smoked-barley-wine

or here:

http://www.stonebrewing.com/

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

Posted on October 27, 2014 by SmokeBeerMinistry

Stone Smoked Porter

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 maltiness, really slight smokyness, but, I can get this at the corner gas station. Maybe I’ll re-review this beer in the future. But an overall score = 5.667 out of 7, which is plenty respectable.

Brewer Stone Brewing Co.
Beer Name Smoked Porter
Brewer’s Description Deep mohogany around the edges and approaching pitch black in the center. Mysterious, smoky, complex, polished ebony,and verging on decadent.
Food Pairings BBQ’d meats, fine chocolates, cheesecake, PB&J’s
Brewer Location San Diego, CA
Alcohol content by volume 5.9%
IBU (International Bitterness Units) 53
Beer opacity rate 1 – 7 (light – dark) 5.6
Smell smoke? 1 – 7 (No – George Burns) 1
Sausage detection? Y or N N
Smokepower taste: 1 – 7 Smokestacks 1.333
Overall Happiness Rating: 1-7 (low – high) 5.667

They are a smokebeer industry leader:

http://www.stonebrewing.com/

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

Posted on October 27, 2014 by SmokeBeerMinistry

Stone Smoked Porter Chipotle

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, it is a smokebeer, and I am committed to drinking them, so this must happen. Also, please note that this beer was a selection in a smokebeer tasting held in my living room, where The Ministry convened to hand down their verdict in accordance with smokebeer law.

The smell right off the top comes in very similar to the regular Stone Smoked Porter but without that much of a pepper smell at all (1.875 of 7). And the opacity averaged out to a 4.5 of 7. Then the rubber hit the road as we all drank our samples which was just like a regular smokebeer (scoring a 2.25 in smokepower taste) for a few seconds, but then, on the back of the throat, arose a little burn that spread throughout the rest of our mouths (including our lips). Let me point out that none of this detracted from the experience at all. 2nd sip, 3rd sip, chug chug, and on and on, not really much to speak of, and then seconds after each taste, the peppers reappeared. If anything, we all came out with a better than expected experience. In my notes one wrote “I’m getting drunk,” and another questioned why the brewers description mentioned chocolate. A third person recommended pairing this beer with barbecue (I believe that’s a safe bet). All in all, not terrible! In fact, 4.3 in the overall is a nudge just above “meh” which is not bad for a pepper beer.

Brewer Stone Brewing Co.
Beer Name Smoked Porter w/ CHIPOTLE PEPPERS
Brewer’s Description A thing of spicy glory, with the just right heat of smoked chipotle peppers combined with peat smoked malt. A mix of spiciness and chocolaty overtones = a symphony of flavor.
Food Pairings Spicy artisanal chocolate
Brewer Location San Diego, CA
Alcohol content by volume 5.9%
IBU (International Bitterness Units) 53
Beer opacity rate 1 – 7 (light – dark) 4.5
Smell smoke? 1 – 7 (No – George Burns) 2
Sausage detection? Y or N No
Smokepower taste: 1 – 7 Smokestacks 2.25
Overall Happiness Rating: 1-7 (low – high) 4.3

Stone knows:

http://www.stonebrewing.com/

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

Posted on October 26, 2014 by SmokeBeerMinistry

Stone Smoked Porter Vanilla

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 7 and threw off the Overall Happiness metric. The next highest score was a 4, and my personal score for this beer was a 2 for overall happiness. But when you form a hoodoo beer cult ministry thing and find that your power grab over your flock’s influence is beginning to slip, that’s the kind of stuff that happens, you’re forced to include the opinions of others. Maybe the 2 was my subconscious taking out my frustration on Josh’s rise to leadership within The Ministry. Maybe he scored it with a 7 simply to threaten my authority. All threats and perceptions of threats will be taken seriously and will swiftly be handled with precision.

When you drink this, you won’t miss any of the vanilla. I don’t understand why smoke and vanilla were combined. Why not smoke and sausage? That’s what I want, a beer that tastes like smoked sausage. Bigger swallers = closer to the finish line = more gratifying. Final score 4.2 out of a total 7 smokestacks.

Brewer Stone Brewing Co.
Beer Name Smoked Porter w/ Vanilla Bean
Brewer’s Description Smoke melds perfectly w/ chocolatey, malty, coffee-like character, almost like a liquid dessert without the overbearing sweetness.
Food Pairings Vanilla ice cream (unverified)
Brewer Location San Diego, CA
Alcohol content by volume 5.9%
IBU (International Bitterness Units) 53
Beer opacity rate 1 – 7 (light – dark) 4.5
Smell smoke? 1 – 7 (No – George Burns) 1
Sausage detection? Y or N No
Smokepower taste: 1 – 7 Smokestacks 1
Overall Happiness Rating: 1-7 (low – high) 4.2

You Stone folks are getting kinda out there:

http://www.stonebrewing.com/

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

Posted on October 26, 2014 by SmokeBeerMinistry

The Bruery Smoking Wood

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 the spreadsheet below. As it poured out a short George Hamilton head rose above the surface. This beer is boozy. So boozy that it burns the nose a little. It has notes of an antique pesticide recently pulled out of a garage, which could only be illegal today. It’s definitely a snifter beer, but I bought a 750mL bottle which I won’t have to share with my wife (she won’t go near it), so it sounds like a party for me tonight. This is almost medicinal in a cough syrup aged in a whisky barrel way. Notes of a leather store, peat, telephone poles, train tracks, and rich pure chocolate syrup. This robust beer is like getting punched in the mouth with flavinoids. Happiness = 6 out of 7 units of happiness. I feel like I got in a fight and won 6 free drinks!

Brewer The Bruery
Beer Name Smoking Wood
Brewer’s Description Brewed with beechwood and cherrywood smoked malt, and aged in rye whiskey barrels, Smoking Wood is a delicious demonstration of what wood has to offer when it comes to beer. This imperial smoked porter is brewed with a hefty amount of rye malt, contributing to a full body and light spiciness. Toasty oak, caramel and vanilla flavors balance the smokiness, contributing to an intense yet refined flavor profile. Suitable for aging up to three years.
Food Pairings Barbecue, Monterey Jack, Cheddar, Beef, Smoked Meat, Game, Grilled Meat, Salmon
Brewer Location Placentia, CA
Alcohol content by volume 13.0%
IBU (International Bitterness Units) 20
Beer opacity rate 1 – 7 (light – dark) 7 (SRM 50)
Smell smoke? 1 – 7 (No – George Burns) 3
Sausage detection? Y or N N
Smokepower taste: 1 – 7 Smokestacks 4
Whisky barrel power 1 – 7 7
Viscosity 1 – 7 (water – motor oil) 6
Overall Happiness: 1-7 (low – high) 6

This place is getting out of hand with their selection:

http://www.thebruery.com/

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

Posted on October 26, 2014 by SmokeBeerMinistry

Tieton Cider Works Smoked Pumpkin Cider

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 brand grape soda when I was 15 years old. I stashed them under my backyard deck for a week so I could host a sleepover where myself and some friends of mine could all walk to Taco Bell drunk. Yeah, this shit is worse than that. (It was a pretty fun night by the way).

My passion for smoke allowed me to overlook my ambivalence for ciders, and my hatred for pumpkin beers for this review, but I cannot overlook my standards. Some tastes I pulled out include apple and smoke, but not really much pumpkin at all. The smell reminds me of some mash I made on my kitchen floor with a 5 gal bucket, sugar, cornmeal, water, and bread yeast (testing out an old family recipe). Do I need to mention how unappetizing those mash smells are? Also, this cider is completely flat, void of all carbonation. Then about 20 minutes passed and I realized that I hadn’t taken any more sips. My subconscious hated it so much that it tricked my body into forgetting that I was reviewing a beer and let is sit on the table undisturbed. When I remembered that I was working on something, I reached out and couldn’t bring myself to take another sip. I poured out the rest. And another thing, there is silt in this! For shame Tieton.

Brewer Tieton Cider Works
Beer Name Smoked Pumpkin Cider
Brewer’s Description An earthy, nuanced cider filled with tannins and acid and smoked over apple wood – the same wood that produced the apples – which gives it a light sweetness. The earthiness of the pumpkin is your first experience, followed by a light smoke and finishing with the acid of the cider.
Food Pairings Pork, sausage, BLT, soup, squash, kale, bacon
Brewer Location Tieton, WA
Alcohol content by volume 6.9%
IBU (International Bitterness Units) ?
Beer opacity rate 1 – 7 (light – dark) 1
Smell smoke? 1 – 7 (No – George Burns) 1.5
Sausage detection? Y or N N
Smokepower taste: 1 – 7 Smokestacks 1
Overall Happiness: 1 – 7 (low – high) 1

Tieton cider doesn’t works @:

http://tietonciderworks.com/

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

Posted on October 26, 2014 by SmokeBeerMinistry

Uinta Crooked Line Tinder

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. No silt down in the bottom of this bottle. Clean and clear beer. I wish everyone would remedy the floaties problem. Viven Smoked Porter floaties really made me think twice about drinking to excess, because I might not notice floaties and drink them. Who knows what the hell will happen after that? The campfire image on the bottle did a great job at alerting me that I had found another smokebeer, but the snuggling couple in front of the fire is laughable. The notes are fairly brief for Tinder, but the 6 out of 7 score (which is all too rare of a score) is high enough to overlook how eloquent The Witchdoctor may or may not have been on the night of the official tasting. “So much smoke, smell, fire, campfire, great, wood, fire, cedar, taste, Image = good, Good smokebeer Totally all up in my nose, good smoke flavor, overall 6 of 7 = congrats.” There were also some ramblings about a cab driver getting in a fight on the way downtown, but I don’t need to clutter your mind with the day to day struggles of a lunatic.

Smoke Beer Tasting Notes
Brewer Uinta Brewing Co.
Beer Name Tinder Rauchbier Smoked Lager (Crooked Line)
Brewer’s Description Set your senses ablaze with Tinder, a smoldering Rauchbier that kindles moderate malty sweetness and robust smokiness. Brewing with Bamberg beechwood-smoked malt, this medium bodied lager ignites distinct campfire smoke flavors and aroma.
Food Pairings Good with spicy foods.
Brewer Location Salt Lake City, Utah
Alcohol content by volume 6.5%
IBU (International Bitterness Units) ?  20 or thereabouts
Beer opacity rate 1 – 7 (light – dark) 2
Smell smoke? 1 – 7 (No – George Burns) 5.5
Sausage detection? Y or N N
Smokepower taste: 1 – 7 Smokestacks 5.5
Overall Happiness: 1 – 7 (low – high) 6

Uinta, your website kinda sucks. Also, no mention of Tinder. Oh well.

http://www.uintabrewing.com/

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Brouwerij Van Viven – Smoked Porter – 4 out of 7

Posted on October 26, 2014 by SmokeBeerMinistry

Viven Smoked Porter

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 all swirling around in my glass. I even have a technique called ‘no blubs’ that is proven to reduce floaty thingies from getting in my beer (which is yeast, I hope), however, when you’re dealing with 50 million, even the most steady hands are a futile remedy. Once poured, I picked up the glass and held it right up against at my eye and looked directly at the sun. Nothing but a thin red line of light was able to make it through. George Hamilton made an appearance with his tan head. (It’s always nice to see him.) The smell held notes of peat and ash which isn’t the most highly sought after, but it could be handled better, and those notes made their way directly into the taste. The floaties bothered me. I drank all the floaties. I’ll remain vigilant with the hopes of finding this on tap, Viven needs a different delivery system. Overall Happiness 4 out of 7.

Brewer Brouwerij Van Viven
Beer Name Smoked Porter
Brewer’s Description Vlaamse brouwkunst – L’art de brassage flammand. Viven Smoked Porter allows almost no light to pass, save for a ruby glow at the edges. This wonderfully dark beer is draped with a fluffy, dark tan head that lovingly clings to the glass as it very slowly melts away. The nose provides a multicultural beery experience. Several building at Viven have been baptised. Blasphemy? Sacrilege? Divine intervention? Yes.
Food Pairings Barbecue, Monterey Jack, Cheddar, Beef, Smoked Meat, Game, Grilled Meat, Salmon
Brewer Location Lochristi, Belgium
Alcohol content by volume 7.2%
IBU (International Bitterness Units)  ?
Beer opacity rate 1 – 7 (light – dark) 6.5
Smell smoke? 1 – 7 (No – George Burns) 4
Sausage detection? Y or N No
Smokepower taste: 1 – 7 Smokestacks 4.5
Overall Happiness Rating: 1-7 (low – high) 4

Kindof a fun website:

http://www.viven.be/

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

Posted on October 26, 2014 by SmokeBeerMinistry

Woodchuck Hard Cider Smoked AppleWoodchuck 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 good cider or not, and how would I know anyway? The fact of the matter is that this is smoked, and I drank it. Speaking of facts, as I transcribe these hand written notes, it appears to be a fact that this cider beer was not the first one I had that night. The following is the original review, verbatim:

Overall Happiness : 5 of 7, one point deduction for not being beer. Sausage, maybe not sausage, but the crispy, blackened, burnt edges of sausage. Beautiful autumn red/brown 3 4 of 7. One of my favorite “beers” drinks is a snakebite, where I’ve had a different kind in almost every place I’ve gotten one. Some with Harp, some Guinness, some with Grenadine, casis liquor, some not. 

Campfire? 5 of 7

Nose? 2 of 7

My wife said “this is disgusting.”

Brewer Woodchuck
Beer Name Smoked Apple
Brewer’s Description Our latest cider straight from Woodchuck cellar is hitting shelves nationwide! Woodchuck Cellar Series Smoked Apple is a full-bodied deep amber cider featuring crisp apple notes and hints of vanilla on an applewood smoked backdrop.  A well-balanced, limited run cider that is perfect for the cooler days ahead.
Food Pairings Pie, apple
Brewery Location Middlebury, VT
Alcohol content by volume 6.5%
IBU (International Bitterness Units) 20
Beer opacity rate 1 – 7 (light – dark) 2.5
Smell smoke? 1 – 7 (No – George Burns) 4
Sausage detection? Y or N Y
Smokepower taste: 1 – 7 Smokestacks 3
Beer thickness 1-7 (water – used motor oil) 2
Overall Happiness: 1 – 7 (sad – happy) 5

They’re proud of this smoked cider:

http://www.woodchuck.com/cider-101/

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

Posted on October 26, 2014 by SmokeBeerMinistry

Ass Kisser Porter PounderWell, 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 scores clearly indicate such. Although The Ministry did convene for this judgement which can put the fate of some of these beers at the mercy of lesser refined palates, this rarely ever moves the needle more than a couple of tenths of a percent. I think the reason may have more to do with the fact that I smelled like gasoline on this night. I had just gone across town to look at a couple of El Caminos this guy was selling out of Pasadena and one engine was running kind of rich. He had about a dozen junkers, El Caminos included, and had converted a semi trailer into his living quarters. Said he replaced the original with a 350, and kept revving and revving it for me, but the exhaust on this windless night was forming a bigger and bigger dome around us. I kindly declined a deal on either and rubbed the shit out of my burning eyes as I drove home to drink this beer.

This smokebeer will not convert anyone over to the smoke world because the smoke is strong enough to be comfortably noticable. This beer became less and less rewarding after every sip and developed a tart sting to it, almost sour. Having said that, this may have to be a “do over” given the gas contamination debacle.

Brewer Ass Kisser Beverage Co.
Beer Name Porter Pounder Smoked Porter
Brewer’s Description Ass Kisser Porter Pounder is dark and rich balanced ale that is smooth and yet structured with light coffee and mocha aromas. The subtle smoky aroma lures your palate to sip through the dark tan head.
Food Pairings Good with spicy foods.
Brewer Location San Jose, CA, or Ukiah CA, or Fort Worth, TX or Austrailia
Alcohol content by volume 8.0%
IBU (International Bitterness Units) 36
Beer opacity rate 1 – 7 (light – dark) 4.333
Smell smoke? 1 – 7 (No – George Burns) 2.667
Sausage detection? Y or N N
Smokepower taste: 1 – 7 Smokestacks 2.667
Overall Happiness Rating: 1-7 (low – high) 3.75

I still don’t know if these guys exist, and I’ve been searching for years. Here’s all the info I can find:

http://www.brewerydb.com/brewery/pqSkmD

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

Posted on October 25, 2014 by SmokeBeerMinistry

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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 reasonable to occasionally brew chili pepper beers, and on a rare few occasions, they mix in smoke. This is one of those occasions and the initial reaction is a positive one. For $12 at The Blind Pig in Champaign, IL, you can get a bomber of FCB Mesquite Chili Lime Ale. The chili’s are all over this beer; in the nose, on the tongue, on the back of the throat (for several minutes after each sip), and even on the label. Smoke smell is present (3 of 7 smokestacks), but after just a few chugs, the nose kinda checks out and you just have to rely only on taste. Speaking of taste, there’s a lot of it (5 of 7 smokestacks). The marriage of chili and smoke is just about right, with a mixture of campfire, charcoal ashes, and smoked chorizo (sausage presence). Opacity comes in at 2 of 7, although this place is so dimly lit, it could get bumped down to a 1 at some point in the future. One funny thing about this beer is that I can’t find any lime in it at all (for better or worse). I’m sure I could go on and on about this beer, which I am enjoying, but I’m feeling awkward sitting here with my phone out just typing away and snapping photos. Overall happiness 5 out of 7.

Brewer Fort Collins Brewery
Beer Name Out of the Ashes Smoked Chili Lime Ale
Brewer’s Description Out of the Ashes is a series of limited release beers that showcase the varied and unique flavors and aromas delivered from malt smoked over wood-burning fires. The second member of the series, Mesquite Chili Lime Ale, has the familiar sweet and smokey flavor of mesquite combined with the firey character of chipotle and Pasilla peppers, followed by the fresh tartness of lime.
Food Pairings Chorizo
Brewery Location Fort Collins, Colorado
Alcohol content by volume 5.5%
IBU (International Bitterness Units) 28
Beer opacity rate 1 – 7 (light – dark) 2
Smell smoke? 1 – 7 (No – George Burns) 3
Sausage detection? Y or N Yes and its chirizo
Smokepower taste: 1 – 7 Smokestacks 5
Beer thickness 1-7 (water – used motor oil) 3
Overall Happiness: 1 – 7 (sad – happy) 5

I’ve been to Colorado:

http://fortcollinsbrewery.com/

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

Posted on October 21, 2014 by SmokeBeerMinistry

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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 itself scored a 7 out of 7 smokestacks in darkness points. My phone’s light doesn’t get through any of this as I try to inspect this with the highest tech instrumentation that I have at my disposal. The taste of this one is complex and robust, with a powerful punch of a bunch of different flavors. Smoke is on the top and leans towards the charcoal side of smoke flavor instead of campfire flavor (or peat). Roasted but not (too) burnt. I can’t find any sausage flavor, which is fine, sometimes sausage flavor crops up when the charcoal grill flavor is thrown in there. This is a top notch beer. If I owned a bar I would sell it in a snifter for $6 even with the mere 6.2% alcohol content. Good thing I have a 22oz bottle to nurse tonight. I guess i gotta wrap this up… Overall happiness 5 out of 7.

Brewer 8 Wired Brewing
Beer Name The Big Smoke (Smoked Porter)
Brewer’s Description 250 years ago virtually all beers were smoked (Google it!), but today most smoke has lifted. Kept alive in Bamberg, Germany, beechwood smoked ‘rauchmalz’ was used in our best porter recipe to create the beautifully rich, dark, and roasted chocolate flavors without becoming overpowering. Cheers!
Food Pairings Meats, cheese, nuts.
Brewer Location Marlborough, New Zealand
Alcohol content by volume 6.2%
IBU (International Bitterness Units) 45
Beer opacity rate 1 – 7 (light – dark)  7
Smell smoke? 1 – 7 (No – George Burns)  5
Sausage detection? Y or N  N
Smokepower taste: 1 – 7 Smokestacks  5
Overall Happiness Rating: 1-7 (low – high)  5

Hey, you only have to be 18 to look at a New Zealand brewery website, don’t tell the kids:

https://8wired.co.nz/

 

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

Posted on October 15, 2014 by SmokeBeerMinistry

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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 of 7 opacity rating, which is an improvement from many of the older posts that only show the bottle due to the fact that I pounded the beer before snapping a shot. A lighter color can indicate some commonalities with other beers (oftentimes less smokepower) but it does not detract from the smoke experience at all. And although I have found a number of great smokebeers that rank in at a 6 or 7 in darkness, the lighter hue I find as a pleasant surprise that may draw in drinkers not as sophisticated as us smokestackers with a higher palate. Smell comes in at “5 with campfire plus sweetness” which is just harmonious. And smokepower taste is a very balanced 4 of 7. FCB is going to get a visitation from The Ministry because of their passion for smokepower. They have a number of other smokebeers which rank on the higher side of the scale time and time again. They really deserve a genre of their own, which I shall call “American Smokebeer.” Overall happiness = 5 of 7.

Brewer Fort Collins Brewery
Beer Name Out of the Ashes Smoked Marzen
Brewer’s Description Out of the Ashes is a series of limited release beers that showcase the varied and unique flavors and aromas delivered from malt smoked over wood-burning fires. The newest member of the series, Smoked Marzen, boasts rich, bitter-sweet undertones. A sustaining smoke envelopes the beer like a good sauce compliments your favorite brisket. A classic German style brewed with American boldness.
Food Pairings Brisket, pot brownies, hamburgers
Brewery Location Fort Collins, Colorado
Alcohol content by volume 5.6%
IBU (International Bitterness Units) 21
Beer opacity rate 1 – 7 (light – dark) 3
Smell smoke? 1 – 7 (No – George Burns) 5
Sausage detection? Y or N N
Smokepower taste: 1 – 7 Smokestacks 4
Beer thickness 1-7 (water – used motor oil) 3
Overall Happiness: 1 – 7 (sad – happy) 5

Johnny on the spot is running their website @

http://fortcollinsbrewery.com/

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

Posted on October 9, 2014 by SmokeBeerMinistry

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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 pour for $7). The bright color, a 1 out of 7, was certainly a redeeming quality because it got the thought of shit off my mind, but the notes of peat put shit back on my mind, and although only time will tell, this could affect every peat flavored beer I have going forward, so the concerns that Borg’s marketing department most certainly has voiced, may have been ignored with devastating consequence. Smokepower smell was a solid 4 right after the pour, but quickly dissipated as I got a few sips into it (which is common in smokebeers but not a sought after quality). Smokepower taste is a bump up with a 5 of 7 smokestacks. The worst thing about this beer is that it is good. I am sorry I cannot get past the name. I cannot expect me or my organization to recommend “that sheep shit beer.”

That’s as good as the picture is going to get with the lighting in here. And speaking of, the lighting is just right in here.

Brewer Borg Brugghus
Beer Name Fenrir nr 26 Sheep Shit Smoked IPA
Brewer’s Description Fenrir is the third beer in growing wolves City. In the case of category India Pale Ale (IPA) beers having its source traced to the mid-18th century when the removal of beer between continents demanded increased durability and consequently increased amounts of alcohol and hops. Characteristics Fenris is a powerful flavor and bitterness of the way the tiny salt versus sweet grapefruit and other citrus fruits. Under unwounded taðreykt meal. The result is a howling good beer. “It is one goal of daring [TYS], then the Æsir enticed Fenris-Wolf to submit fetter on him, swallowed, then did not believe them that they would resolve it until they put him to pledge on behalf of TYS mouth of the Wolf. But when the Æsir would not solve it then he bit the hand of is now called úlfliður, and he einhendur and not called reconciliation of people. “
Food Pairings Mutton
Brewery Location Iceland
Alcohol content by volume 6%
IBU (International Bitterness Units) 35
Beer opacity rate 1 – 7 (light – dark) 1
Smell smoke? 1 – 7 (No – George Burns) 4
Sausage detection? Y or N N
Smokepower taste: 1 – 7 Smokestacks 5
Beer thickness 1-7 (water – used motor oil) 2
Overall Happiness: 1 – 7 (sad – happy) 4

You might gotta click the translate button for these guys:

http://www.borgbrugghus.is/

And here’s a video that doesn’t provide any comfort if you’re concerned about sanitation:

 

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Stone – Matt’s Burning Rosids – final score = 3 of 7 smokestacks

Posted on August 18, 2014 by SmokeBeerMinistry

Matt's Burning Rosids

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In any given week, SmokeBeerMinistry gets at least one reader, so just to get them up to speed, we are currently working through a major backlog of reviewed smokebeers. Matt’s Burning Rosids happens to have a fairly brief review which was originally jotted down one night on a scrap piece of paper during a moment of questionable sobriety. What I have to share with you is the following:

Stone Brewing’s Matt’s Burning Rosids, an imperial cherrywood smoked saison. Looks like a cloudy wheat beer with a little red hue. Tastes like a complex saison with a hint of spice on the back of the throat.

This beer was made in remembrance of Matt, and it sounds like he was a pretty good guy.

Beer Name Matt’s Burning Rosids
Brewer’s Description Rather than regarding Burning Rosids as a somber memento, please think of it as a celebration of Matt, just as we do. When you drink this very special beer, please join us in raising your glass, both in Matt’s memory and in tribute to everything he so passionately stood for: caring for others, passion and skill for his art, and laughter… lots of laughter. Among the long list of things he held dear were GoDesignInc.org, a charity committed to fulfilling the architectural needs of developing communities around the world; and TKF, a nonprofit working to stop youth violence by educating, mentoring and making positive impacts on high-risk communities. We are proudly contributing funds earned through the sale of this beer to these worthy organizations in Matt’s honor. Enjoy, and please remember that life and those we hold dear are precious gifts to be cherished every day. Consider sharing this beer, conversation on life’s passions and, again, lots of laughter, with good friends as we remember ours.
Brewer Location San Diego, CA
Alcohol content by volume 10.5%
Beer opacity rate 1 – 7 (light – dark) 2
Smell smoke? 1 – 7 (No – George Burns) 2
Sausage detection? Y or N No
Smokepower taste: 1 – 7 Smokestacks 2
Overall Happiness: 1 – 7 (sad – happy) 3

For more reading on Matt:

http://www.stonebrewing.com/burningrosids/

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Nøgne Ø – Sunturnbrew – 4 out of 7

Posted on August 17, 2014 by SmokeBeerMinistry

Sunturnbrew

Nøgne Ø – Sunturnbrew from Grimstad, Norway. A beer brewed on the shortest day of the year is a concept that everyone seems to love, but the final score came out telling a story of indifference. This beer was reviewed at one of SBM’s infamous smoke beer tasting parties. When beers are reviewed in this type of setting, we usually come up short on details, but with the well informed group of people all entering their own scores (which are surprisingly similar I’ve come to find), I am able to provide an average score.

Some descriptions include: Pretty sweet, thick, not much smokey, boozy, Robert Redford & Louis Anderson (no idea what was meant by those descriptors, but I’m committed to providing you the reader with all the information I’m given), cough syrupy on the back of the throat, like Mikkeller, and too syrupy. Everything else listed is either illegible or redundant, which happens at drinking parties. Below are the scores for each of our scored categories.

Brewer Nøgne Ø
Beer Name Sunturnbrew
Brewer’s Description Brewed just before Christmas, the Sunturnbrew honors the Norwegian legend that says that the sun turns on December 21st, the shortest day of the year. While the rest of the world argues that the sun doesn’t turn at all, Nøgne Ø raises a glass to Norwegian stubbornness with this celebratory beer!
Food Pairings Smoked fiskesuppe and sild
Brewery Location Grimstad, Norway
Alcohol content by volume 11.0%
IBU (International Bitterness Units) 50
Beer opacity rate 1 – 7 (light – dark) 6
Smell smoke? 1 – 7 (No – George Burns) 1
Sausage detection? Y or N N
Smokepower taste: 1 – 7 Smokestacks 2
Beer thickness 1-7 (water – used motor oil) 3
Overall Happiness: 1 – 7 (sad – happy) 4

 

Yeah, I’m gonna trust this team knows what its doing:

https://www.nogne-o.com/

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Cedar Creek – Scruffy’s Smoked Alt (draft) 4 out of 7.

Posted on February 3, 2013 by SmokeBeerMinistry

Cedar Creek Scruffy's Smoked Alt

So I’m doing an off the cuff post with my phone again, only this time I’m in a hurry. I’m at a Whole Foods in Houston where Cedar Creek Scruffy’s Smoked Alt is on tap for $5 pint. My wife is somewhere in here getting things for our superbowl party this evening and when she.finds me sitting at the bar drinking she won’t be happy. Anyway, right off the bat, I’m not smelling anything but a slight hint of smoke (1 out of 7) and the smokepower taste unit comes in at half, .5 out of 7 units. I guess if you use smoked stuff when you brew it, you owe it to your audience to mention this before you sell it, but what about me? Did Cedar Creek think about Smoke Beer Ministry before they rolled this out? I guess not. On a side note, a grocery store is not a good atmosphere for regular bar folk. Lots of energy in here. The kind of energy that encourages 68 year old women to get breast implants and persuades senior men to grow ponytails and chase these women back to their condos. At least the kids are out of the house. The redeeming quality of the place is that I get to drink while witnessing this afternoon geriatric meat market; couldn’t handle it sober. And for the beer, it could be a crowd pleaser. No offensive or overpowering flavors here at all. Definitely a gateway smoked beer. Hints of smoke, hints of bitterness, amber color. It might be the Coors Light of smokebeers. I can’t say I disliked it, I will have another, they did it right, but could have done it righter. Final score, 4 out of 7…

However, This beer was later found in a can (above), and the results were considerably worse. More on that to come.

They got a nice set-up:

http://cedarcreekbrewery.com/home/3563292

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Southern Star – Rauchbier – 5 out of 7 smokestacks

Posted on January 18, 2013 by SmokeBeerMinistry

Southern Star Rauchbier

Today I am trying Southern Star Rauchbier, at The Flying Saucer in Houston, TX, $5 on tap. Full pint. Also, I’m going in live, and writing this on my phone right as it is happening. So bear with my stream of consciousness style. Who knows, I may completely rewrite all this after I see how bad an idea this was, but here we go nonetheless. It looks like bombshell blonde based on appearance. Smell 4, taste 3, in smokepower. 1/3 way through it and I can’t really taste too much anymore. But I have a water to cleanse the palate a bit. Smoke smell is better than smoke taste, but both are good, just not on the same plane. The taste is not sour, but its coming off tart or with a slight sting, I don’t know what’s doing that. It’s not a flavor but a sensation. I like the smell more and more every time I stick my nose down in the glass, and its a good smell. I definitely like it and recommend it as a great middle range beer. I will try to get it in my tasting that I keep talking about. This place is crowded. Some Aussie brewery is here handing out samples. Maybe I have underestimated the beer culture in Houston… But it doesn’t really look like much of a beer snob crowd. I recommend this smokebeer. Okay, I’m running out of steam, and beer, so here goes, as soon as I find the publish button. Overall happiness factor 5 out of 7 smokestacks.

Brewer Southern Star
Beer Name Rauchbier
Brewer’s Description A Lager Brewed with 100% beechwood smoked pils malt (malt smoked in Bamberg, Germany). Pale golden in color, and lightly hopped, this lager is a showcase of the smoked malt, with a great smoked biscuit bouquet and a smokey honey taste.
Food Pairings BBQ
Brewery Location Conroe, TX
Alcohol content by volume 5.6%
IBU (International Bitterness Units)
Beer opacity rate 1 – 7 (light – dark) 2
Smell smoke? 1 – 7 (No – George Burns) 4
Smokepower taste: 1 – 7 Smokestacks 3
Sausage detection? Y or N N
Beer thickness 1-7 (water – used motor oil) 2
Overall Happiness: 1 – 7 (sad – happy) 5

They gotta OK website:

http://southernstarbrewing.com/

 

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Against The Grain – Smoke Mac Fannybaw (draft) – 2 out of 7

Posted on January 8, 2013 by SmokeBeerMinistry

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Against the Grain Brewery and Smokehouse is this pretty cool brewery at Louisville Slugger Field, the minor league baseball stadium, which is apparently head and shoulders above the old place that used to be there. A fairly standard menu with a unique smoke twist on just about everything made the food a pleasant surprise to go along with this smokebeer tasting; a relief for me because I drug a party of six a bit out of the way just so I could try and review this beer. We came at an off hour on a nasty, dreary December afternoon to find the place seemingly fully staffed and yet there was a bit of confusion on how they were going to seat us with a mere 90% seat availability. Regardless of that hiccup, I quickly ordered the Smoke Macfannybaw Rauchbier listed as barrel aged and salted, 8.5%, IBU-25.

I’ve never heard of salted before but I have heard of barrel aging and I don’t like it. I look forward to the day when this barrel aging beer fad ends, or at least until someone makes one that I actually like, but anyway, there I was with this beer and five people looking at me wondering how it stacks up. I took in a smell and gave the smoke power 1 out of 7 smokestacks. One is a bad sign, it shows that smoke is detectable, but in this case, masked by other whiskey smells and is not particularly pleasant. As far as barrel power is concerned, I gave it a 6 out of 7. It’s too bad that I hate barrel power when it is done improperly, because that means that these points are fighting for evil. Furthermore, the barrels come from Angel’s Envy “bourbon” one of my least favorite liquors.

I’m glad Kentucky has bourbon to be proud of, but I don’t know why so many KY brewers are jumping on this barrel aging beer trend; it reminds me of a Simpsons episode. Wouldn’t it be great if they just focused on making bourbon taste like bourbon. Well anyway, the photo of the bourbon flight is my proof that I am a bourbon expert, and the smoke photo proves that I was at Against the Grain. And one last thing, why the crude peepee weewee jokes on the website description? It’s not kinda funny. Better luck next time AGT.

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http://www.atgbrewery.com/#beer

401 East Main Street  Louisville, KY 40202
(502) 515-0174

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Furthermore – Three Feet Deep – 5 out of 7 Smokestacks –

Posted on December 14, 2012 by SmokeBeerMinistry

Picture 3Furthermore Beer of Spring Green, Wisconsin gets their Three Feet Deep stout reviewed; on tap at The Old Fashioned Tavern and Restaurant ($4 pint) in Madison, WI. Peat runs three feet deep under the fertile surface of the ground in the place that is wherever they have peat… County Cork apparently. Smoke is mentioned in the brewers description a few times and rightly so, however this is a distinctly peaty smoke taste from peat smoked malt. On a smoke power scale both smell and taste rank in at a 2 out of 7 smokestacks, but this is not a bad thing at all, in fact, this might be one of those gateway beers that draws people into the smokebeer world and then gets them hooked on more powerful stuff, we could only be so lucky. Although peat is a tough flavor to expect a smooth introduction from, this beer is definitely not the 60 year old fat, bearded, retired lumberjack of beers, instead its more like the 30 something thin Irish guy who settled in Wisconsin after studying abroad kind of beer, (welcome to the neighborhood). In conclusion, good honest beer, buy it, drink it, think about stepping it up a bit. Final score – 5 out of 7.

Brewer Furthermore
Beer Name Three Feet Deep
Brewer’s Description This is our rendition of a Dry Irish Stout, circa 1890. Deep roasted malt is what makes a stout a stout, and years ago the fire of the kiln would have added its distinct smoky flavor during the roasting process. Three Feet Deep rekindles that lost flavor with a small addition of peat smoked malt. At 14.4° Plato, this is not a heavy beer, but you wouldn’t know it as the round and earthy quality of peat fills your senses. Our stout is a return to County Cork and the warmth of the Irish hearth.
Food Pairings cheese curds
Brewery Location Black River Falls, WI
Alcohol content by volume 5.5%
IBU (International Bitterness Units) 18
Beer opacity rate 1 – 7 (light – dark) 5.5
Smell smoke? 1 – 7 (No – George Burns) 2
Sausage detection? Y or N N
Smokepower taste: 1 – 7 Smokestacks 2
Beer thickness 1-7 (water – used motor oil) 5.8
Overall Happiness: 1 – 7 (sad – happy) 5

Learn more at:

http://www.furthermorebeer.com/

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Victory Brewing – Scarlet Fire Rauchbier – 6 out of 7

Posted on December 10, 2012 by SmokeBeerMinistry

scarlet fire

It’s always a pleasant surprise to see a smokebeer that isn’t the color of used motor oil. Scarlet Fire Rauchbier was a seasonally translucent autumn red color. $6 for a full pint at Petrol Station Houston was some relief after the last two $8 snifter’s I had, but beer snobery isn’t exactly a poor mans game. Right from the start the smoke makes its presence known with a strong campfire smell and then topping that off with an almost as smoky taste. Maybe it’s just me but I hold smokebeers in high regard when their smell and taste get equivalent smokepower points in my completely unscientific 1 – 7 smokestacks scale, this one falls just a smidge short on taste. And speaking of taste, out of all the flavors one can detect in Scarlet Fire, smoke stands proud and unashamed, which convinces me that this is a successful attempt at a great smokebeer, instead of a failed experiment that gets the last second formula adjustment by frugal brewers dumping in a bunch of liquid smoke. If I can get this in a bottle, it’ll quickly get added to the smokebeer tasting coming up at my apartment next year. Final score – 6 out of 7 –

By the way, this fall image will never be seen in Houston, we don’t do fall.

beer-ScarletFireRauchbier_26544 red autumn leaves

It appears that this beer is not even a distant memory at Victory. Learn more at:

Home Page

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Clown Shoes – Vampire Slayer DRAFT – 4 out of 7 –

Posted on December 10, 2012 by SmokeBeerMinistry

So, I’m not doing the thing with the religious terminology anymore, it was stupid.

Last night I had a Vampire Slayer from Clown Shoes. It was $8 for a snifter at Petrol Station in Houston, TX. Vampire Slayer is the beer that uses vampire killing stakes and holy water to smoke the malt, along with hickory and ash. It came out black like a good smokebeer often does, with a quarter inch thick dark tan head (George Hamilton tan). The smoky smell fell into the mild category along with the smoky taste, only bringing in a 3 out of 7 on the smokestack rating. The overall taste was flavorful, solid, and robust, but the smoke was just one voice in a noisy crowd. And after about 5 big boy sips, my taste buds checked out. It doesn’t bother me, but I often find that I can’t pick out too many flavors after I get halfway through some of these beers, even with a palate cleansing glass of water next to me. Anyway, it’s a middle of the road smokebeer, final score 4 out of 7.

george-hamilton clown shoes vampire slayer 006

Brewer Clown Shoes
Beer Name Vampire Slayer Imperial American Stout
Brewer’s Description In a world full of uncertainty, hardships, and people trying to hold us back, do we need vampires? Clown Shoes says, “No! Die, monsters, die!” Incorporating dark malts, holy water, and malt smoked locally with hickory, ash, and vampire killing stakes.
Food Pairings Blood sausage (unconfirmed)
Brewer Location Ipswich, MA
Alcohol content by volume 10.0%
IBU (International Bitterness Units) 89
Beer opacity rate 1 – 7 (light – dark) 7
Smell smoke? 1 – 7 (No – George Burns) 3
Sausage detection? Y or N No
Smokepower taste: 1 – 7 Smokestacks 3
Overall Happiness Rating: 1-7 (low – high) 4

Lots to choose from here:

Home

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BrewDog – Paradox Smokehead (draft) – 3 out of 7 Smokestacks

Posted on December 5, 2012 by SmokeBeerMinistry

Our first reconciliation was conducted last night with a snifter of BrewDog Paradox Smokehead, which was found on tap at The Flying Saucer in Houston, TX, December 3, The Year of Our Lord 2012. Meticulous notes were taken to preserve the sanctity of the review at the moment of ingestion.

It was a Lord giveth and taketh away experience last night. First off, the price at $8 was a bit steep for our non-profit organization, but then we learned that it was happy hour and only had to pay $7. Then there was hesitation on part of the bartender to serve it because of the full beer in front of me. He eventually gave in and reluctantly served me, then asked if I wanted to settle up for some reason.
The smell of BrewDog Paradox Smokehead is great (6 out of 7) which indicated a proper smokebeer smell. Although it was devoid of notes of sausage, it was still strong and pleasing. Then, it went downhill a bit.
The taste of smoke comes through right at the beginning, which garnered a 5 out of 7 intensity factor, but the quality of the smoke flavor only rates at a 2 of 7. The taste of wood and peat was noted.

The wood didn’t remind me of hickory or mesquite, instead it was similar to that of a 2X4 or moldy particle board, and the peat was not from the hills of an Atlantic facing Scotch mountainside, but instead from a dust farm where pulverized rope and cotton t-shirts must have been mixed into ground. It’s a bit surprising given the nice smell that such a taste manifested.
Regardless, if we can find it in a bottle then we will include it in the second tasting and allow the council to form an infallible opinion, but for now the rating will have to be 3.

Also we have a photo of the notes taken, displayed next to a novelty smooshpenny from the Tabasco factory for scale.

IMAG0369

Here’s a link to Brewdog’s site… I’m intrigued:

https://www.brewdog.com/usa/lowdown/blog/paradox-smokehead

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Madison photo and spreadsheet.

Posted on November 30, 2012 by SmokeBeerMinistry

Here’s a photo and spreadsheet covering the last tasting I held in Madison, WI, and the growing spreadsheet for the upcoming tasting in Houston, TX.

Smoke Beer Tasting Notes spreadsheet.

IMG_1722

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The second coming of a smokebeer tasting is scheduled in early 2013, and we are the host. It is the goal of the ministry to raise awareness of beers that taste like smoke. There is an extensive and growing collection of smokebeers in the tabernacle, displayed below. We also have a spreadsheet.

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Posted on November 28, 2012 by SmokeBeerMinistry | 1 Comment