It's 90 degrees outside, so I've retreated into the cool dark confines of the Pinhead Studios for a cold one, some vinyl and a game or two of Palooka. The extra ball is lit and the lager is poured. This afternoon, I've got a Helles Schlenkerla Lagerbier from the brewery in Bamburg, Germany. This is one of the legendary "Rauchbiers", or smoked beers native to that area of Bavaria. Now, I've had the Marzen before, and since it is a bit on the warm side here on the left coast, I went for a lighter version of the smoked beer. This one starts out as a nicely balanced typical German Lager, but the aftertaste is where the unique smokiness takes over, leaving you with a thrist for more. The website claims that every coaster at the brewery states -
"Even if the brew tastes somewhat strange, at the first swallow, do not stop, because soon you will realize that your thirst will not decrease and your pleasure will visibly increase"
Schlenkerla website - original amongst beers
Beer advocate - subtle, smokey and meaty
