October is my favorite month. Sweatshirt weather, colorful foliage, Big Ten football and Halloween spookiness. It cannot be beat. The evening air is tinged with the campfire-like smoke of wood-burning stoves and far-off burn piles in the country, giving the month its own aroma. Whenever I catch that scent, I think of cool October evenings when the clouds are illuminated by deep, sunset hues and the fallen leaves are rustling in a light breeze.
It also reminds me of a beer, one that perfectly embodies everything I love about October: Aecht Schlenkerla Rauchbier Märzen, brewed by Schlenkerla Heller-Bräu Trum of Bamberg, Germany.
A former beer guru at John’s Grocery described Schlenkerla Märzen as, “Campfire meets märzen meets bacon.” Brewed with malts smoked over beechwood fires, the smell of campfire and smoked bacon or ham is immediately noticeable after opening a bottle. Ideally poured into a mug or stein (a regular pint glass will do, too), the color is dark caramel topped with a couple fingers of dense, tan foam. The smoky aroma is so intense at first, it is enough to water ones eyes. Later, as the senses adjust to the smokiness, scents of caramel and chocolate emerge to assure and entice. The taste is not as smoky as the smell, but the smoked malts provide an excellent backbone of bacon, ham or sausage on which flavors of chocolate, caramel and coffee are added.
Schlenkerla Märzen is a little intimidating. Perhaps it can even be called scary. It is a campfire in a bottle, liquid bacon. But once the initial disbelief and sensory assault subsides, it is very enjoyable.
- Serving temperature: 48ºF or a touch warmer
- Alcohol content: 5.1 percent ABV
- Food pairings: Any smoked meat. Smoked ham, sausage or bacon. The incredible landjägers sold at the Kalona Cheese Factory or meat shop in Amana may also be a good pairing. For fellow vegetarians, I recommend another bottle of rauchbier.
- Where to buy: John’s Grocery and most area Hy-Vee stores.
- Price: $5 per 500 ml bottle, and $40 per “partykeg.
