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6. Bear Republic Brewing – Smokey Bear – Cherrywood smoked malts combined with the killer hops that this Healdsburg brewery is known for to create a memorable beer.
7. Magnolia Pub & Brewery – Smokestack Lightning – Named after the BBQ joint from the people behind Magnolia gastropub, this imperial stout utilizes a variety of smoked malts to catch the smoke.
8. Craftsman Brewing – Smoked Black Lager – Of course Mark Jilg would use a lager as a base for his version of a rauchbier. A hard trick to do since lagers are so light.
9. Sante Adairius Rustic Ales – Fumare – You wouldn’t believe that a Saison would be a good match for a big smokey beer, but this small brewery in Capitola has pulled it off.
10. Bootlegger’s Brewery – Wildfire Wheat – A summer seasonal from Fullerton. They take a medium-bodied wheat beer and add a touch of smoke to it.
…and one more to savor…
11. Smog City Brewing – Smaug Lager – No dragon breath here, just a well made lager with a hint of campfire to it.
Find more of Sean Inman’s writing on his blog, Beer Search Party.
Blog Comments
Tomm Carroll
July 17, 2014 at 5:50 PM
Rauchbiers are traditionally lagers, with beechwood-smoked malt. So Craftsman is actually respecting tradition with its Smoked Black Lager.
That said, in the primitive days of brewing, long before lagers existed, all beers were ales and all were dark, unfiltered, sour and smoky — because the only way to kiln malt then was over an open fire.
Sean Inman
July 21, 2014 at 7:53 PM
Good point. My American-centric knowledge betrayed me.