BJCP 2021 / 6B
Rauchbier
A smoky amber lager where beechwood smoke and bready malt share the stage.
- Drink fresh
- standard strength
- amber color
- bottom fermented
- lagered
Serve: 44 to 48F, Mug
OG1.120
1.050 to 1.057FG1.030
1.012 to 1.016IBU120
20 to 30SRM40
12 to 22ABV14%
4.8 to 6.0%Taste it in order
Aroma
12 pts- Beechwood smoke leads, like bacon or campfire
- Toasty malt behind the smoke
- Faint hop
- Vague
- Smoky
- Better
- Bacon smoke over toasty malt
- Best
- Moderate beechwood smoke with a bacon edge over toasted bread malt, low hop, clean lager yeast
Appearance
3 pts- Amber to dark brown
- Clear
- Tan head of medium retention
- Vague
- Dark
- Better
- Brown with a tan head
- Best
- Deep amber to brown, clear, tan head that fades slowly
Flavor
20 pts- Smoke comes in the first sip
- Toasty, slightly sweet malt supports it
- Bitterness is moderate, finish medium-dry with smoke lingering
- Vague
- Smoky
- Better
- Smoke and toasty malt
- Best
- Moderate smoke and toasted malt flavor, light caramel, moderate bitterness, smoke lingers into the finish
Mouthfeel
5 pts- Medium body
- Medium carbonation
- Smooth
- Vague
- Smooth
- Better
- Medium body, smooth
- Best
- Medium body, smooth, medium carbonation, no ashy dryness
Overall Impression
10 ptsLifts it
- Smoke integrated with malt
Drops it
- Acrid or medicinal smoke
- Harsh bitterness
Writing tip
Name the smoke type. Example: 'Bacon and campfire smoke over toasty malt, smooth finish. Smoke is well integrated.'
Pour these
- Aecht Schlenkerla Rauchbier MärzenSchlenkerlaThe benchmark, a savory bacon smoke
- Spezial Rauchbier MärzenBrauerei SpezialGentler smoke with a sweeter malt
Often confused with
- 6A MärzenMärzen has no smoke
- 27C Historical Beer: LichtenhainerLichtenhainer is a low-alcohol, tart and smoky wheat beer
Fine here
- Phenolic: Smoke phenols are the point here
Ruinous here
- Phenolic: Medicinal or plastic notes that taste like a cleaning product
- Astringent: Ashtray dryness
- Oxidized: Stale smoke
Style names, numbers and vital statistics follow the BJCP 2021 beer guidelines. Descriptions and example choices are our own. Check a beer is still made before you hunt for it.