Deep Purple Rauchbier
Marshall Wharf Brewing Company in Belfast, Maine, United States 🇺🇸
Smoked / Rauchbier Regular|
Score
6.87
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Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 8 | Flavor - 7 | Texture - 6 | Overall - 7
sampled at brewery in Belfast Maine - one of the best i tried at brewery - smoky, classic german - damn nice
Appearance - 6 | Aroma - 7 | Flavor - 7 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 7.5
Draught at 3 Tides, since debut and most recently on 5/16/15
Deep ashen-tinged cola-ebony body has a medium-high clarity and a small beige head that shows medium-low to low retention.
Subtle, inky smokiness in the nose is certainly no Schlenkerla. Much more of an ashen, tobacco and old campfire smokiness. Peppery phenols and balancing caramel maltiness still leaves the beer on the dry side. No alcohol or flaws in it.
Smokiness begins slow but builds up on the palate, hand-in-hand with moderate caramel sweetness, as well as light prunes and raisins. Unfortunately, as Martin mentions, the beer is a bit prone to what he calls excessive "grassiness". I generally refer to it as excessive vinousness/acidity, but it’s here as well as in a handful of their stouts (Oatmeal, Pemaquid, etc...). As Martin points out, it works to a varying degree, but here, with the already dry campfire and ash-like smokiness, I think it works less well. That said, there is still a good maltiness to this adding sweet raisin-caramel flavors, but it’s just a bit too fatiguing to drink much more than a pint. Oily texture with ample carbonation and no flaws/alcohol noted.
Upon further samples in 2016, I think either I’m misremembering, or it’s become maltier and less smoky. Still a nice soft, campfire-like smokiness and plentiful malt for balance, this has actually become one of my go-to beers here. Raisins, plum, caramel and honey with easygoing yet enjoyably flavorful smoke character. Rating is for this sample.