About
In the middle of the old part of Bamberg, directly beneath the mighty cathedral, one can find the historic smoked beer brewery Schlenkerla. First mentioned in 1405 and now run by the Trum family in the 6th generation, it is the fountain of Original Schlenkerla Smokebeer (in German language it's called "Aecht Schlenkerla Rauchbier"). The smoked beer is here at the brewery tavern still being tapped directly from the wooden barrel according to old tradition.
Part of the group
9/10
—
Appearance 9
Aroma 9
Flavor 9
Texture 9
Overall 9
Undated can drunk 8/9/26.
Lightly tart, zippy, almost floral, lactic character with soft, rich smoke behind it and a surprising amount of malt to balance. Nutty, blanding wheat takes the potential edge off anything sharp. Very aromatic and a nice compromise of smoke; far from their typical intense bacon.
If I'm surprised by easygoing and malty the aroma is, then the flavor/texture is even more shocking. This has to be one of the top 3 maltiest beers I've had at 3% or less, if not THE maltiest. And yet, it's properly attenuated and has a good, nutty, soft, chewy wheat and lightly floral, minimally tart lactic character. Just an absolute delight to get so much flavor, texture and complexity from such a tiny abv.
Lightly tart, zippy, almost floral, lactic character with soft, rich smoke behind it and a surprising amount of malt to balance. Nutty, blanding wheat takes the potential edge off anything sharp. Very aromatic and a nice compromise of smoke; far from their typical intense bacon.
If I'm surprised by easygoing and malty the aroma is, then the flavor/texture is even more shocking. This has to be one of the top 3 maltiest beers I've had at 3% or less, if not THE maltiest. And yet, it's properly attenuated and has a good, nutty, soft, chewy wheat and lightly floral, minimally tart lactic character. Just an absolute delight to get so much flavor, texture and complexity from such a tiny abv.
Tried
from Can
from
Bow Street Beverage - Portland
on 09 Aug 2026
at 15:12
8.3/10
—
Appearance 8
Aroma 8
Flavor 8.5
Texture 8
Overall 8.5
Flaska från luckan på bryggerirestaurangen i Bamberg. Ljusgul lätt disig vätska med högt skum. Lätt kropp och lättdrucken men med en riktigt kärv rökighet med lägereld, askfat och chark. Mycket karaktär och mycket gott
Tried
from Bottle
on 08 Aug 2026
at 18:05
7.4/10
—
Appearance 8
Aroma 7
Flavor 7
Texture 8
Overall 7.5
500 ml can. Pours a very pale, bright, slightly hazy gold with a medium head that vanishes quickly. Nose of smoky bacon, oak, wheat, a bit funky.
Smoky dry, light flavor. Light body.
Crisp and dry with little to no sweetness.
Light herbal hops.
Medium bitterness in the finish. Interesting and well made. Not a style that I love.
Smoky dry, light flavor. Light body.
Crisp and dry with little to no sweetness.
Light herbal hops.
Medium bitterness in the finish. Interesting and well made. Not a style that I love.
Tried
on 08 Aug 2026
at 13:41
8/10
—
Appearance 8
Aroma 8
Flavor 8
Texture 8
Overall 8
Aromas are strong smoke, malt and a bit of hops. Flavors are similar to nose with light sweet and while decent carbonation, still soft. Couldn't have more than one of these and it's so unusual, but still very good. Would be fun to cook with.
Tried
from Can
from
The Beer Temple
on 08 Aug 2026
at 02:20
7.6/10
—
Appearance 8
Aroma 7.5
Flavor 8
Texture 7
Overall 7.5
Can at home. Nice style find. Deep bay colored. Nose is light smoke and more hay. Tatsss similar. Slight citrus and crackers as well. Light bodied crips enough.
Tried
on 07 Aug 2026
at 03:17
7.8/10
—
Appearance 7
Aroma 8
Flavor 8
Texture 7
Overall 8
Bottle. Pours clear dark amber with airy off-white head. Clear aroma of malt and smoke, with touches of caramel and hops. Bitter, roasty and smokey flavour with notes of malt and yeast, and touches of hops. Smokey and hoppy aftertaste with estery touches. A nice one, like everything from this brewery.
Tried
from Bottle
on 29 Jul 2026
at 14:13
8.6/10
—
Appearance 8
Aroma 10
Flavor 9
Texture 7
Overall 8
Bottle, 4.6%. Good smokey aroma, a lot like most of the other Schlenkerla beers. Clear chestnut colour. Small stable whitish head. The flavour is smokey. Slightly watery. Has a salty touch. Perhaps a little caramel. Tastes a lot like the Märzen, but perhaps a little thinner than I remember it.
Tried
at
Beer Knír
on 29 Jul 2026
at 14:13
8/10
—
Appearance 8
Aroma 8
Flavor 8
Texture 8
Overall 8
500ml bottle. Pours a clear dark reddy amber with a beige head. Aroma of woody smoke and light fruity malts. Taste is slightly sweet, wood smoke, slightly meaty, fruity malts, caramel, light-moderate bitterness. Medium bodied.
Really nice rotbier, the cherrywood smoke more subtle than beechwood but adding extra depth.
Really nice rotbier, the cherrywood smoke more subtle than beechwood but adding extra depth.
Tried
from Bottle
from Raynville Superstore
on 25 Jul 2026
at 15:30
8.1/10
—
Appearance 8
Aroma 8
Flavor 8
Texture 8
Overall 8.5
Bottle 50cl. @home poured into a shaker. Smoky nose. Hazy pale golden colour, tall fluffy and moussy white head, good retention and lacing. Aroma smoky malt, smoked ham, sausage, lemon zest, wheat notes. Taste medium sweet, light bitter and some acidity that very slowly grows, smoky malt, smoked ham, sausage, lemon zest, grain. Medium body, watery to oily texture, average carbonation, bit prickly mouthfeel, smokey and dry sweetbitter aftertaste, salty notes, spicy notes, very special, very good.
Tried
from Bottle
from
Het Biermeisje
on 24 Jul 2026
at 16:43