(Draught at Barhop, Aug 1, 2013) Pours a quite cloudy pale yellow with a head of large white bubbles, some lace. Aroma is fairly subtle smoke, pale crisp malt and wet grassy notes, like a Belgian table beer beside a fire? More smoke character comes out in the palate, very dry and crisp overall, pale malt body, slight grain, light yeast sourness on an otherwise dry, peppery, smoky finish. Body is light, I found the carbonation high but not overwhelming, a little spritzy which helped cut the smoke. I am not always a fan of smoked beers, but in this one it’s handed with deftness and the dry, crisp character of the beer prevents the cloying sensation I often get from malty rauchbiers. Quite drinkable, and an interesting idea using vine trunks to smoke a beer.

Decent. Smoked aroma not overly done, well-integrated. Pours cloudy blonde with a little head and decent lacing. Crisp malt with some hay in aroma. Finish is light sour. Soft carbonation. Tap at Barhop.