Keg at Deacon’s, Ottawa. Clear mahogany colour, small head. Mild charkuterie smoke aroma. Mid dry with medium body and clean, rounded mouthfeel. Some bread and caramel, distinct beechwood smoke. Fairly low bitterness. Really nice flavours, but needs polishing and malt depth.

From tap. Pours amber to brown with a small off white head. Smoked. Meaty. Beechwood. Lingering malty and smoked. Subdued sweetness. Bitter and smoked far finish.

Part of their Brewmaster’s Selection 4-pack. Pours a real deep, clean amber, almost copper colour with a creamy beige head, nicely lasting a while and with thick foamy lacing. Mild aromas of smoke, roasted malts, caramel malts and light hops. The smokiness is milder in the taste with a little sweetness, but not syrupy. Burnt wood lingering smoothly. Well done here, as an easy introduction to many and the Rauchbier family.