There’s a few Surly offerings out there on draught that have been around a while, but for one reason or another I’ve yet to try (such as my recent sampling of Mild).
Walking in to The Blue Nile at the recent Surly Three release party, I was pleasantly surprised to see they had Smoke on tap, Surly’s version of a Baltic Porter. So in between delicious mugs of Three, I gave it a shot.
Poured from the tap with a deep, inky coloring and very little head. First thing you notice in the aroma is a healthy dose of smoked malt, but not overpowering like some strong rauchbiers can be with that “beef jerky” quality. I’d say it’s more equivalent to a peaty scotch. Subtle and sophisticated.
Taste is more of the smoked malt combined with rich coffee and molasses notes. Kind of like a nice imperial stout mixed with a well-balanced rauchbier. The hops don’t come through much in the nose, but you get a sense of them in the taste as there’s a definite bitterness toward the finish (45 IBUs), combined with more of the smoked maltiness.
Drinkability is pretty good, you don’t even notice that the beer is 9% ABV. But the smokiness did sort of dull the senses after a couple glasses of the stuff. Not a knock, it’s just a very different type of beer that may not be for everyone (which is why they also brew the more approachable Bender and Mild, I suppose).
Overall, another solid offering from Surly. I’d definitely try it again.
Rating: A-
February 16, 2009 at 10:14 pm
I haven’t had many smoked beers so I’d be curious to try this. Rauchbier just scares me.
February 16, 2009 at 10:18 pm
I’d say you should pair a rauchbier with a nice steak…but in some ways it’s like drinking one.
February 17, 2009 at 8:04 am
Sounds fantastic.
February 17, 2009 at 10:24 am
I really enjoyed it. Wish I could send you guys some.
February 17, 2009 at 12:40 pm
I really wished I lived close to a quality brewery like Surly. It would be so dangerous if I lived near DFH and I got to go to their brewpub to try all their experimental beers. I got to try two the last time I was there.
February 17, 2009 at 12:56 pm
I’m with you Dave. There’s a few growler fill places in Manhattan, but if I could go to actual breweries and fill up growlers every week…I’d probably way like 350 pounds!
February 17, 2009 at 1:23 pm
If Surly had a brewpub, I’d never leave.
February 17, 2009 at 4:15 pm
New Glarus had a smoked porter out a couple years ago. Not bad but the Surly Smoke is better. And Surly may not have a brew pub but I am quite pleased with they output of special beers they have made that have been hitting local pubs. Last year it was pretty much just the two with a third every once and a while.
February 17, 2009 at 4:20 pm
You’re right dirtyspeed, they’re definitely getting a variety of things out there, at least locally. I hear they have a decent presence in the Chicago market, as well.
December 16, 2009 at 9:37 am
Surly Smoke out at Roat Osha. Wed Dec. 16th tapped @ 7. 2650 Hennepin Ave S. Minneapolis/Uptown