Thornbridge Beadeca’s Well

Brewery: Thornbridge

Beer: Beadeca’s Well

Style: Porter

ABV: 5.3%

Date: 18^th February 2013

Venue: The Tap, York (Pint)

 

A smoked porter you say? Lead on, dear sir. Thornbridge are a brewery I have a sometimes thorny relationship with (no pun intended) as I veer between thinking their beer is either exceptionally average or really good with little in between. Thankfully this fits in the latter category. Beadeca’s Well is an exceptional beer. Really wonderful smokiness in the aroma and in the mouth. Almost black in appearance with a finger depth tan head. Almost smells like crackling pulled off a lovely bit of roast pork and there are slight hints of chocolate and caramel in the taste. Really, really brilliant. Make sure you try some if you see it anywhere.

 

Rating: 4.5 (Highly Recommended)

Emelisse Rauchbier

 

Brewery: Emelisse

Beer: Rauchbier

Style: Smoked Beer

ABV: 6.5%

Date: 17^th February 2013

Venue: The Grove Inn, Huddersfield (Bottle)

 

Dutch take on the rauchbier style perfected by Aecht Schlenkerla. Tastes very similar to those beers, but the smoky bacon like sweetness is slightly more subtle. Dark brown and cloudy out of the bottle with a thinnish head. Some nice spice elements in the taste mean that it is very pleasant to drink and you could undoubtedly knock a fair few back. Would like to have it again.

 

Rating: 4 (Recommended)

 

Leikeim Original Steinbier

 

Brewery: Leikeim

Beer: Original Steinbier

Style: Smoked Beer

ABV: 5.8%

Date: 17^th February 2013

Venue: The Grove Inn, Huddersfield (Bottle)

 

Billed as a German smoked beer along the lines of the Aecht Schlenkerla masterpieces, but it is a whole deal more subtle than those beers. Comes in a swingtop bottle and is similar to Tap 7 Schneider in appearance with a cloudy orange feel and a fading head. There’s a really nice subtle sweetness on the nose and in the mouth, almost like the smoked fish equivalent to the bacon of the aforementioned Schlenkerla rauchbiers. The finish has a bit of bitterness but not quite enough in my opinion. Not amazing but worth a try if you see it anywhere.

 

Rating: 3.5 (Give it a try)