Judge’s Review: 97 Rating – Geräuchert Smoked Helles Lager by Moniker Brewery

Classic Style Smoked Beer | Limited Release | USA

By Joseph Formanek

Judges Rating: 97
Aroma: 23
Appearance: 6
Flavor: 39
Mouthfeel: 10
Overall Impression: 19

Geräuchert Smoked Helles Lager by Moniker Brewery is a traditional example of the BJCP 32A Classic Style Smoke Beer, as per the 2021 BJCP guidelines, with the base style being a Helles. As such, there is no mistaking that this brew fits the style very well! 
The sweet beechwood smoked malt aroma is very evident immediately after you pop open the can. There is a touch of base malt behind it, but very little else comes through. The smoked malt is the star of the show here! The brew is remarkably clear, with a light golden color and a rich, small-bubble, white head with fantastic retention and lacing left on the glass after the drink. Very impressive and inviting appearance.
The smoked malt flavor is moderate and is well within the spectrum for the style. The fermentation is very clean, with the background base beer being appropriately mild to serve as a blank slate for the smoky character to build on. The smoke character dominates the overall flavor from start through the lingering aftertaste, but a slight hammy character is noted in the finish, which is rather common for the style. No hops are noted, which is, again, expected for the style. The body is light-to-medium, and the carbonation is moderate. 
Importantly for this beer, the smoked malt character, while dominant, is not overwhelming. The brewery’s judicious use of the smoked malt in the grain bill delivers a quite approachable and quaffable beer, which is rather difficult to do for this style. 
Overall, this is an interesting and enjoyable World Class offering and certainly one to search out if you get the opportunity.