We kicked off fall with our Smoked+Smoked dinner featuring some of the world’s most traditional smoked beers, including Schlenkerla and Evil Twin Cowboy, which we will continue to feature this week as the days begin to shorten and the temperatures beckon heavier brews.
We asked B. United founder Matthias Neidhart about his great smoked beers, and here’s what he had to share.
How did you get involved with importing Schlenkerla?
From the start in 1995 our company has zeroed in on the classic examples of as many beer styles as possible. The late Michael Jackson served as our “guide” as follows: “The most famous Bamberg Rauchbier is Schlenkerla, made for the tavern of that name by the Heller brewery… Aecht Schlenkerla Rauchbier Maerzen , is made entirely from smoked malt…the resultant beer has a smoky aroma and a dryness the moment it hits the tongue, and a full, smoky flavor that lingers in a long finish.”
Aecht Schlenkerla Rauchbier Maerzen, a world classic is the definitive example of this style.
Is there a thriving market for smoked beers in the US?
From our first day of importing the Aecht Schlenkerla Rauchbier portfolio until today, about 19 years later, the portfolio has grown every year. Every year it has attracted new friends to this extraordinary style of beer. All other “smoke brews” we have added over time follow the same trend!
What are some of the other smoked beers that you import?
- *De Dues “Tocatta” from Spain – a dessert brew at around 11.5% ABV that uses peat smoked barley malt for extraordinary complex flavors and aromas.
- *Grodziskie by Prof. Fritz Briem from Germany – a sour smoke wheat ale historically created in the Polish town of Grodzisk Wielkopolski.
- *Fumigant by Birrificio Montegioco from Italy – a peat smoked sour ale aged in Barbera wine barrels.
- *Torbata by Birrificio Almond 22 of Italy – a peat smoked barley wine that adds honey.
- *BrettPeat DayDream by Birrificio Del Ducato from Italy – a Scotch Whiskey barrel aged sour ale made with peated malt!
- *Charbonniere by Brasserie de la Goutte d’Or from France – a peat-smoked amber ale!
In addition to smoked and rauchbiers, we’ll also be featuring Saison d’Erpe Mere on draught (Brouwerij De Glazen Toren brewmaster Jeff Vandersteen will be a special guest on today’s Beer Sessions Radio at 5 p.m.). And several of last night’s dishes will be on the menu all this week, including Potato Soup with Shiso and Smoked Bacon and Grilled Tamari Pork Skewers.