Schlenkerla
Schlenkerla is a famous brewery based in Bamberg, Germany that brews Schlenkerla Rauchbier Smoked Marzen. The brewery dates back to 1405 and brews Original Schlenkerla Smokebeer (in German language it’s called “Aecht Schlenkerla Rauchbier”). The brewery tavern taps the beer directly from wooden barrels according to tradition. They brew several styles of smokebeer, including Marzen, wheat beer, red lager and more. A detailed description of smoking the malts is at smoked malts.
Schlenkerla Rauchbier Smoked Marzen
Schlenkerla describes Rauchbier Smoked Marzen as “According to oldest brewing traditions we leave the yeast in the beer, which results in an especially full and complex aroma. As for classic Märzen, the malt of the special edition is kilned over an open beech wood fire, which gives it the typical and by smokebeer lovers sought after flavor of Aecht Schlenkerla Rauchbier.”
Schlenkerla Rauchbier Smoked Marzen has a 5.1% ABV and 30 IBU. There is no nutrition information available, but Google estimates 295 calories based on a 16.9 oz. serving. It has an “Outstanding” rating on Beer Advocate.
Our Review of Rauchbier Smoked Marzen
I have had American Marzen beers before, most notably Gordon-Biersch, which is good, and Samuel Adams, which was not good and I don’t believe exists anymore. Most American Octoberfest beers are just Marzens, but the Octoberfest branding sells better. I tried Ayinger Oktober Fest-Marzen and Paulaner Oktoberfest Marzen which were so much better than these American Marzens. However Ayinger is only available in the fall.
I had no idea what I was buying when I bought this beer. I just saw “Marzen” and German words and bought a single, knowing how much I liked the two other German Marzens. It was different but just as good. It really was “smoky” but not bitter. My biggest concern was the possible 295 calories. If correct, I would hesitate to drink too many of these.
For more Marzen German beer recommendations try Paulaner Oktoberfest Marzen and Ayinger OktoberFest.
For beer nutritional information of all beers we have reviewed see Beer Nutritional Information.
