Spezial Bräu Rauchbier - Brauerei Spezial, Bamberg

Rauchbiers and Smoked beers aren't my favorite style. Unless it's the dead of winter and I have a hankering for pork, I generally don't think to myself, "Hey, why not have a couple smoke beers?" That being said, I am quite partial to beers from Bamberg, Germany. I spent the better part of 2006 studying in Bamberg and became well acquainted with the local beers. Rauchbier is Bamberg's local delicacy so I can't help but appreciate it for what it is, a unique style of beer and a bit of an acquired taste. You know the saying about doing as the Romans while in Rome? Well, in Bamberg you do as the Bambergers do and that means drinking a Rauchbier.

Rauchbiers have a very distinct flavor and aroma. For most people the dominant flavor in this beer is best described as "bacon" ... so what's not to like? Well, contrary to popular believe bacon doesn't go with everything. Where Spezial's Rauchbier stands apart from the pack is in that it doesn't have a strong bacon flavor. Rather than tasting like there is a piece of fried pork floating around the bottom of your glass, not unlike a tequila worm, Spezial's Rauchbier has just a hint of that smoked bacony goodness. If bacon REALLY isn't your thing, you might not like this beer.... and if you can't handle the Spezial Rauchbier, don't even bother trying any of the other smoked porters or Rauchbiers out there.