Smoked Beer

A beer showing good balance between the smoke and beer character, while remaining pleasant to drink. Smoked malt is the primary source of smoke character.

Smoke character from smoked malt is prominent but balanced with the base beer style aroma. Wood smoke quality can vary by malt type. Both smoke and base beer characteristics should be detectable and pleasant.

Color from base style, often amber to dark brown. Clear. Head per base style. No visual difference from unsmoked version except possible slightly darker hue.

Smoke flavor balanced with base beer style flavors. Smoke should complement, not dominate. Balanced finish with pleasant smoke aftertaste. Base style characteristics remain identifiable.

Depends on base style. Smoke adds no specific mouthfeel effect. Overall texture matches the base style.

Smoked malts were the universal norm before modern indirect kilning was developed in the 19th century. Traditional smoked beers survive in Bamberg (Rauchbier) and Gotland (Gotlandsdricke). The modern smoked specialty beer category emerged as craft brewers deliberately applied smoked malts to various base styles in the 1990s-2000s.

What is Smoked Beer beer?

Smoked Beer (BJCP 32A) — a beer with smoke character from smoked malt in a recognizable base style.

What is the ABV of Smoked Beer?

Smoked Beer has an alcohol by volume (ABV) of varies.

How bitter is Smoked Beer beer?

Smoked Beer measures varies IBU (International Bitterness Units).

What are some examples of Smoked Beer beers?

Stone Smoked Porter, Alaskan Smoked Porter, Aecht Schlenkerla Rauchweizen, New Glarus Smokejumper Stout