This is an interesting smoked beer from Harpoon's 100 Barrel Series. It's both the first I've had of this series and the first smoked beer I've tasted. After reading about smoked beers in the previous edition of Brew Your Own magazine, I was looking to try out the style on my last trip to Mass Liquors. According to Harpoon's website, Rauchfetzen means "wisp of smoke," which is definitely appropriate since the smoke flavor is present but not in any way overwhelming. The ale pours a clear amber color with a fairly thick white head. The smell is amazing, like sticking your nose in a container of lapsang souchong tea. Now that I think about it, the fact that I adore the flavor of Chinese smoked tea might explain my interest in trying smoked beers. The flavor is malty and smokey with a hint of oak and the finish is pleasantly bitter. The carbonation is medium and the body is on the light side. I really like this beer and will seek it out again and others of this style if I can find them. One of the recipes in BYO was for a smoked porter that looked quite doable. Maybe when I get home from break I will brew it up.
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