Shiner Smokehaus Review

Brewery: Spoetzl Brewery | Beer: Shiner Smokehaus
Style: Rauchbier | ABV: 4.9% | IBUs: 16
Serving Method: 12 oz. bottle poured into Pilsener glass

A couple of months ago, while searching for a Rauchbier (smoked beers especially popular around Bamberg, Germany) to review here on PintLog, I learned how absolutely impossible it is to find smoked beer here in Texas. Eventually, on a trip to the Southern Star brewery, brewmaster Dave Fougeron tapped a keg of his renowned Rauchbier and I got my first sip of the style. My wife and I were totally blown away with how delicious it was. While Dave jokingly described the beer as "ham in a glass," this was an amazingly well crafted and tasty beer. Unfortunately, that one brilliant pint at the brewery was still my only encounter with smoked beers. Until now.

I was incredibly excited when I heard that the brewers behind the Shiner line of beers announced that they would be producing a smoked Lager for the Summer. Named Smokehaus, the beer is essentially a Helles-style Lager built with malt smoked with local mesquite at the brewery in Shiner. The beer has finally started to show up on shelves here in Houston, just in time for the oppressive Texas heatwave, and I can't wait to give it a try.

Appearance: A crystal-clear golden-amber body with a generous bubbly white head that burns out rather quickly leaving only the barest patches of lacing.

Aroma: A rather typical pale malt Lager body with some definite notes of mesquite smoke. No hops to speak of. I was really hoping for more smoke here...

Taste: The familiar taste of a light Shiner Lager accented with a splash of tasty smokiness in the finish. Unfortunately, the smoke flavor is not very intense and comes off as a bit of an afterthought after the first couple of sips. The aftertaste is composed of a quick flash of smoke and grain that fades quickly.

Mouthfeel: A slightly lighter than medium body with good carbonation.

Drinkability: Built as a very drinkable and refreshing beer, with the smoke flavor light enough to not slow it down whatsoever. A great beer for grilling in the Texas heat.

Verdict: Lots of credit to Shiner for trying something new here, I just wish they had been a bit more bold with the smoke intensity. If you've never tried a smoked beer, this is a nice gentle introduction. I hope this helps pave the way to a new crop of Rauchbiers on the market here in Texas.

Grade: B