Jail Fire Raichbier

 

I’ve had very few Ontario-born rauchbiers, but I ordered a bunch of Jail Fire Raichbiers from Muddy York Brewing Co. for my brother as part of his Christmas gift and couldn’t resist snagging one for myself. The 6%, 25 IBU beer from Toronto comes in 355mL cans. The name pays homage to an 1862 fire that nearly disrupted construction of Toronto’s notorious Don Jail. The beer is flavoured with beech-smoked malt. It’s a clear ale with a handsome copper colour and a short-lived off-white foam.

Jail Fire has an undeniably smokey and malt-driven aroma, though it isn’t nearly as robust as some other rauchbiers on the market. The flavour is significantly smokier, though still not outrageous. Alongside the campfire vibes, there are burnt caramel notes and just a touch of spicy bitterness.

I liked Jail Fire a fair bit, though I’d have liked a bit more bombast. When I crack a rauchbier, I want to be overwhelmed by beechwood smoke; this one merely “whelmed” me.

Rating: 7.0 out of 10.

Aecht Schenkerla Rauchbier

Shenkerla Smokebeer is like no other beer I have ever tried.  To call it smokey is more than an understatement.  Drinking this brew is like sucking woodsmoke from a chimney...in an oddly pleasant way.


Sold in 500mL bottles and measuring 5.1% alcohol, Schenkerla hails from Bamburg, Germany.  It is brewed by Brauerai Heller.  It pours a sultry dark brown colour.  It's slightly cloudy and topped by a creamy head.  Schenkerla as a strong (STRONG!) aroma of woodsmoke.  It smells like a campfire.  It has an intense smokey flavour that dwarfs any other tastes that might be present.  According to the label, the smokey flavour comes from kilning "over a fire of beechwood logs".  The aftertaste continues to be considerably smokey, but is also fairly bitter.

This is a really interesting brew.  There isn't much to talk about beyond the smokiness, but it is so unlike any other beer that it is definitely worth trying.  In my humble opinion, this beer is almost certainly best enjoyed in cold weather.  I suspect that it would not be nearly as palatable on a patio on a hot day, though I might be mistaken.

Rating: 8.0 out of 10.