Beers That Taste Smoky (Flavour Profile – 5 of 7)
Smoke Beers: The perfect beers for anyone who loves scotch, campfires, and smoked meats. Smoky brews can be enjoyed all year round.
By The Beer Community on Apr. 29, 2019
Trying to find out what kind of beer you like?
Maybe you’d like a smoky beer!
Smoke beers are just what you’d think they are. Smoky. Lots of smoke beers also have a woody and sometimes burnt flavour. If you’re a fan of smoked meats, you will love smoked beers. Beers that taste smoky go great with summertime campfires, crisp autumn evenings, or even holiday chocolates at Christmas time. The reason why people love smoked beers so much is because they are very versatile and can be enjoyed all year long.
What are Smoke Beers?
Smoke beers always incorporate malts in some way. Some smoke beers have malts soaked over various wood fires, others are aged in Single Malt Scotch Whiskey Oak barrels. The appearance of smoke beers can be deep amber to dark brown in color. Smoky beers can range from medium-light bodied to full and bold bodied. Medium to high ABV% are common in this beer profile.
If you love a slight hint of smoke flavour, toasted malts, or spicy and woody aromas, you’ll probably love drinking smoke beers.
What beer styles have a “smoky” taste?
Smoke beers are typically milder to start and end on dramatic smoky notes. You’ll know if a beer style falls under this beer profile category at first sip!
Subdued Smolder:
For styles within this category, the smoke flavour tends to be more subtle. Toasted / roasted malt flavours are often present. Woody, spicy smoked notes tend to come through the aromas.
Types of beers that fall into this smoky beer category include: Smoked Beer, Smoked Porter, Steinbrau
Spicy & Meaty flavours:
In these smoke brews, heavy smoked meat-like flavours are usually present. Think smoked sausage. Aromas of campfires overcast on a range of softer flavours, such as biscuits, bananas, nutmeg, cloves, raisins, toffee, and nuts.
Types of beers that fall into this spicy smoke category include: Rauchbier
Food Pairings for Smoky & Woody Beers:
Beer styles that fall under the smoke beer profile often pair well with raw fish. A smoked beer goes great with a plate of sushi. Other great pairings include game meats and pork cuts.
If you’re thinking, “What type of beer should I drink?”…
Try a smoke beer!
Smoke Beers You Need Try If You Like…
Ready to take a step outside your comfort zone? Try a smoky beer that you might enjoy based on other flavours you know and love.
If bacon is your favourite food, try Bamberg Castle Smoked Ale – Cameron’s Brewing Company
Are you a Single Malt Scotch lover? Try Flaming Bourbon Sombrero – Redwood Curtain Brewing Company
If you like sweet red ales, try Sparkchaser – Twin City Brewing Company
More Smoke Beers to Try:
If you’re struggling to find a smoke beer you love, let us help you out. Below is a sampling of the finest smoky beers around Canada.
- Blacksmith Smoked Porter – Highlander Brew Company (Ottawa, ON)
- Charbonnière – Brasserie Dieu du Ciel (Montreal, QC)
- Holy Smoke Rauchweizen – Brewsters Brewing Company (Calgary, AB)
- Kelp On The Way – Picaroons Traditional Ales (Fredericton, NB)
- Smoked Porter – Black Bridge Brewery (Swift Current, SK)
- Smokey The Bear – Russell Brewing Company (Surrey, BC)
- Stormy Monday – Parallel 49 Brewing (Vancouver, BC)
Find the right beer for you!
JustBeer has grouped all the styles of beers into seven main beer profile categories to help you find beers based on flavours you already know and love.