Punk Rauchen (Silver City Brewery)

PUMPKIN BEER #4

I figured that beer was four was a perfect time to try a beer style I’ve never had before by a brewery I’ve never had before. PUNK RAUCHEN is a Smoked Pumpkin Lager from Silverdale, Washington’s Silver City Brewery. 

Silver City’s brewmaster gives a seasonal twist to a traditional German-style Rauchbier (smoked beer). This beer gets all of its character (the rich amber color, sweet, earthy pumpkin taste and it’s intense smoked flavor) from smoked pumpkin. Fresh pumpkin was smoked over apple wood for 6 hours then mashed with pale barley malt. German Hallertau hops were added for balance. 6.3% ABV

Punk Rauchen pours a deep orange with a more traditional orange colored highlights. Head is nothing more than a ring around the edge of the glass.

Brace yourself, because you are about to be hit with some shocking news…the nose of this beer is big on smoke. DUN DUN DUN Hints of cured meat (ham and pepperoni) were also present. Surprisingly not present were any hints of pumpkin.

What I didn’t expect was the sweetness that would come through in the forefront of the taste. It begins with a faint honey/orange sauce sweetness before transitioning into the expected smokiness. However, the smoke flavor is a lot more subdued than the nose would lead you to believe. The beer finishes with a hint of sweet smoked ham.

Mouthfeel is light, but sticky (which I found kinda odd for the style). All remnants of the beer evaporate rather quickly, leaving little to remember it by.

Punk Rauchen was a little too balanced. I wish the smoke flavor was as big in the taste as it was in the nose. That being said, it was still quite an enjoyable drinking experience.

Overall: 6.5 out of 10

As a RAUCHBIER: 7 out of 10

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