Original Schlenkerla Smokebeer:
Welcome welcome welcome all, especially any new comers out there (I’m sure there are a few). Today we explore misleading marketing, uniquely flavored beers and satisfaction in your choices in life. During my visit to Baton Rouge I encountered something that is pretty much mystical (in my beer world) to most beer coinsures: bacon. Yes bacon, that delicious addition that is both so bad for you yet so good. Can you think of a food that can make a center cut filet migon taste better? I can, wrap it in bacon! What can make donuts out of this world? Bacon pieces! What makes the best grits possible? Bacon drippings! See, bacon is great, even some might say magical and here, in a little regional bar in Baton Rouge, I encountered Bacon Beer…okay really it’s Original Schlenkerla Smoker Beer, the German name is on the label (best of luck with that one) from Bamberg. Yes, you read that right: Bacon. Beer. Boom. I was shocked, excited and awe struck upon reading that the beer upon the chalk board but went with another beer first to calm my nerves. Done with my first brew, I excitedly ordered the second one from the hippie bartender (don’t ask, you’d have to see him to understand) and he had to give me a lesson before ordering this beer. First: it’s a true Marzen beer which means this: By German law of 1539, it’s only brewed September 29th and April 23rd and stored in cellars through the following summer then to be distributed and drunk in the fall. Second: There is no bacon in it. None. Hell even the website doesn’t mention bacon, it’s a marketing ploy to get suckers like me to buy an $11 bottle of beer (note: I was told this before buying it but my curiosity was peaked and no way was I going to pass this one up) but is heavily smoked to give it bacon-ish flavor. So, long story short, I bought the bottle and per the bartender’s recommendation, a stem glass, which was the best way to enjoy this beer. The beer pours well and the nose of smoked beech-wood (yes that’s the same wood Budweiser uses to “age” their beer) literally jumps out during the pour, reminding us Texans of barbecue joints and summer time. The beer forms a nice head that is thin and doesn’t hinder the nose of the beer nor the drinking of the beer. The taste obviously starts very smoky but quickly moves to a clean, Guinness like taste through the middle and leaves a nice subtle malt flavor on the back end of the tongue and aftertaste is like a very watered down Liquid Smoke. A great beer, not for everyone though, Shiner tried a similar beer a couple of years ago and it met mixed reviews as a summer beer and was pushed aside for Ruby Redbird. Maybe someday it’ll come back.