Beer of the Weekend #1,096: Smokey the Bier

I turned 42 this week. Shortly after midnight on my birthday, I woke up to go to the bathroom. After seeing the clock, I remembered how I stayed up late and bought beer shortly after midnight on my 21st birthday. Then it hit me: It has been 21 years since my 21st birthday.

Whoa.

The beer this weekend is Smokey the Bier, brewed by the Confluence Brewing Company of Des Moines, Iowa.



Serving type: 16-ounce can. “CANNED AUG/06/24” is printed on the bottom.

Appearance: Poured a slightly hazy gold into a nonic pint glass. A finger of off-white, bubbly, buttery head leaves a collar and a broken lacing.

Smell: Smoky but light, which is throwing me for a loop (I expect smoky beers to be dark). It reminds me of a camp fire but not as intense and without the lingering smell on all my clothes. The smoke dominates but grass, light malt, and some earthy hops sneak through.

Taste: It mostly mirrors the aroma: smoky but light. The smokiness fades as the glass empties, becoming more of an aftertaste, allowing a light grassiness and light malt to come through.

Fun facts about Smokey the Bier:

• Style: Smoked helles-style lager.

• Price: $10.99 for a four-pack of 16-ounce cans at the New Pioneer Food Co-op in Iowa City.

• Alcohol content: 4.7 percent ABV.

• Here is the novel written on the label:

Malting basics? Grain is steeped to encourage germination, and that germination develops the enzymatic action that makes it possible to brew beer. The kernels are then kilned, driving out moisture and imparting the flavors we think of when we drink malt driven beers: caramel, chocolate, toast, biscuit, among others. These days large commercial roasters and dryers are used to kiln the malt, but malt used to be dried over open fires, giving it tons of smoky character. It’s likely that for much of human history, ALL beers were smoked beers. Our Smokey the Bier pays homage to that history, while still considering our modern palate. With only a third of the total malt bill made up of beechwood smoked malt, this beer strikes a beautiful balance between the bright, crisp, and refreshing Helles style with just enough sweet and savory notes of smoke to provide interest and complexity. We all know where there’s a smoke there’s fire, so give Smokey the Bier a try—we’re sure you’ll agree that this Helles is 🔥🔥🔥.

That may be one of the longest descriptions I have ever seen on a label, though that is an interesting tidbit about all beer being smoked in the past.

• Smokey the Bier pays homage to legendary Forest Service icon Smokey the Bear.

The Quiet Man’s grade: B+/A-