Waterloo Smoked Applewood Roggenbier

Spotted something new at the store today, Waterloo Smoked Applewood Roggenbier. From Kitchener, Ontario's Waterloo Brewing Co., this stuff is redundant--the "smoked" is implied when speaking of a roggenbier. Still, I couldn't resist the lure of the 473mL can and I had the feeling that it'd be swell on a chilly evening. To my luck, the very next evening saw the mercury plunge and I had a veritable fall eve on my hands, so I hauled my can out of the fridge to give the 5.3% tipple a try.

My pint poured beautifully--clear, auburn hued, and with a lustrous cream head. My nose declared Waterloo's Roggie to have a sweet, smokey aroma. This scent was matched, even exceeded, in the flavour. Not as smokey as a rauchbier, this still has a pretty ample campfire tang, and an agreeable one at that. Sweet and malty are the other adjectives that sprung to mind instantly. Additionally, I had to double check the percentage, since this brew tastes well stronger than the listing of 5.3%.

I find that I go up and down with Waterloo's beers. They have some amazing ones, and others that interest me not at all. This one fits in the former camp--a fine, flavourful, and nicely executed accompaniment to an Autumn evening. A touch to sweet, and not the kind of stuff you'd want to double up on, but otherwise a grand ale.

Rating: 8.5 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.