Stone Smoked Porter...

You're exactly right.

As you know, I think Stone is overhyped, but that's not to say that they don't produce good beers. But the smoked porter is not up to the standards of their others.

Of course, neither Stone nor Alaskan can hold a candle to either the Märzen or Ur-Bock from Schlenkerla. (ObPre-emptiveStrike: And, yes Don, there are other Bamberg breweries that produce even better smoked beers than Schlenkerla, but they're not widely available in the States.)

-Steve

IAWTP...That Mazen is the best smoked beer I've ever had and it is the bar I hold all others to.

Ah, so that's where my opinion got to. Can I have it back when you're finished, please?

Penelope

It's a real treat, as well as an education for the palate, to sample all of them in a single comparative session. The Schlenkerla beers have such an excellent integration of flavors, but the American top- fermented smoked porters have their charms with their ale flavors and the distinctive tastes from, at least in Alaska's case, using alder-smoked malt (Schlenkerla uses beech). Alaska's smoked porter does seem to have more going on than Stone's, and Alaska's has a silky, almost "slippery" mouthfeel.

No preemption needed, if you're trying to set that trolling hook. Drank a Schlenkerla Weizen on Saturday, and the whole time, with every sip, all I could think was "damn, what a wonderful beer." And these days, Spezial is the only other Rauchbier brewed in Bamberg; its been available briefly in the USA, but only sporadically. And speaking of hard to find tasty smoked beer, Degroen's Rauchbier, out of Baltimore, is really worth a try, but not easy to find.

I am looking forward to a Franconian trip in the not-so-distant future, though. Besides the Bamberg Rauchbiers, a little brewery west of the city, Kundmüller, in the town of Weiher, has introduced its new Weiherer Rauch, available in bail-top half-liters. I'm looking forward to trying this one, as well as the new brewpub in Bamberg which pours three house beers plus Schlenkerla Märzen. Yum!

How does it compare? I love Stone smoked Porter and have never had Alaskan. Actually I think I like Stone because it's not too smokey. I had a micro smoked porter in Dallas one time (granted the brewpub was marginal) but it had to be the most god awful stuff I have ever had! Tasted like oily liquid smoke mixed with worcestshire sauce that someone had been soaking in the toenail clippings from an old age home.

So anyway, what makes it better? Because if it's more 'smoked' then I'll probably steer clear...

_Randal

"Bill Becker" wrote in news:2no61hF2pbdhU2@uni- berlin.de:

Liked 'em both equally, though I've only had the Alaskan once. I did get to try Stone's 6th Anniversary Ale (an upped version of their Smoked Porter) and, though it was two years old, it was still just marvelous, marvelous stuff.

Don't be afraid of this wonder just because it does taste smokier than the Stones. It works!

Read some of the reviews...then..go ahead and try a bottle just so as to remove any doubt from your mind. ;^)

Btw, I like the fresh version a lot but letting them age a year or more really adds some depth, imho.

Best regards, Bill who is 2002-less but has one 2001 left.

Well..the next time I make an online purchase, the Aecht Rauch Bier Marzen will be included in the order just so I can compare what I've tasted to a real rauchbier.

Best regards, Bill

Trust me. I took very good care of your opinion whilst it was in my custody. lol

Best regards, Bill

Did you really? I could have closed my eyes whilst drinking the Stone and, pretty much, not figured out that it was a smoked porter. I can't say the same for the Alaskan. lol.

I did get

Though instead of because? It's not meant to be aged then, I take it?

Best regards, Bill

I had that 6th anniversary smoked porter as well. The smoke and 8% ABV were subtle.

"Bill Becker" wrote in news: snipped-for-privacy@uni-berlin.de:

The Alaskan was smokier, but IMO the Stone has wonderful roastiness to it to match the smoke it has. Both very good in different ways.

Eh, it's not that strong, so I'd think that two years in the bottle might have adversely affected it or at least mellowed the flavors to the point where it just wasn't remarkable anymore. I was wrong, still loved the

Afraid I am not, however Alaskan beers don't seem to be available to me in Colorado, at least in the Springs anyway...

_Randal

Anyone had the Heavyweight Cinderbock? FG and a good approximation to the Schlenkerla rauchbier urbock.

Yep. The Alaskan doesn't make it into Colorado. The other week, my retailer friend took a bunch down that way and...brought me back some more of the Dale's Pale and some Fuller's 1845.

Best regards, Bill

You...you...you mean...you can just go out and buy some Alaskan Smoked Porter?

You bastard!

I got mine as a Christmas present, but my sister had to send a friend in Alaska a genuwine smoked and cured country ham as a bribe.

Penelope

Expletive Deleted wrote in news: snipped-for-privacy@linc.cis.upenn.edu:

Had it recently, thought it was G, not FG. Very smoky, but it wasn't quite like drinking liquid smoked ham.

Ya know, if you'd told me a few years ago that one of my favorite beverage-related experiences would be "drinking liquid smoked ham", I'd have called you crazy, but I could drink Schlenkerla about every day.

I always thought Schlenkerla was more like liquid smoked gouda, but... Unrelated, the one chance I had to drink fresh Schlenkerla in Bamberg, it tasted VERY fresh (duh...), and was not as heavy as the older bottled stuff we get. More like a very thin slice of Westphalian ham, the kind that just by-God melts in your mouth and makes you shiver cuz it's so damned good.

Uh-huh. Double-smoked bacon without the fat. Gotta love it.

"Lew Bryson" wrote in news:EgsSc.2906$ snipped-for-privacy@newssvr17.news.prodigy.com:

Yes, well, when I was there . . . uh, wait, I've never been there and, with two small kids (well, one, and almost two), I think it'll be a while. I'll just live vicariously through your palate, I guess.

I always add a little fat to mine. Nothin' like an Ur-bock/lard shake to get you going in the morning.