My introduction to rauchbier with a Märzen from the same producer made me excitied to try the Aecht Schlenkerla Rauchbier Weizen [Brauerei Heller-Trum]. Bamberg, Oberfranken/Bayern, Bavaria, Germany. (rauchbier). 5.2% – appears dark brown cloudy, huge tan head, smell very distinct, burg and smoke and peat, tons of depth on nose, mouthfeel lighter than expected, soft but lively, taste wonderful rich smokey meaty, but wears poorly, some background fruit, feels like drinking a beef jerky, no thanks. A Rauchbier Weizen sounded like such a cool idea, but this didn't enrapture me at all.
Lagunitas We’re Only in it for the Money. Petaluma, California. (tripel ale) 8.2% – appears orange bronze with white head, smell Belgian yeast, candied but fine-tuned nose, very fresh and a bit of spice, mouthfeel slightly thick, very smooth with light foam, taste honey tightly bound with touch of tart yeast, impressive fade on finish, paired okay with Tom Yum Kung hot and sour soup, but much better with the shrimp, worked much better after dinner, had its moment of wonderful caramel intensity after dinner before the last bit feeling too rich too intense burnt sugarcane, had slight promise, but did not deliver. Meh, the last Zappa tribute beer I had from Lagunitas (the Freak Out IPA) was more to my taste, this never quite reached the heights.
Lagunitas Somona Farmhouse Saison Style Ale. Petaluma, California. (saison/farmhouse ale) 6% - appears golden brown bronze, thin white head, smell rounded caramel, slight tart yeast, very inviting, mouthfeel slight thickness with firm foam, taste very lightly tart, more about grapefruit smoothness, very refreshing, lots of flavor, but not too much to keep it firmly quaffable, cleansing and crisp, what a match for a rustic soup. I find myself liking saison-style beers more and more.