I always thought things like smoked beer, milk stouts, and Belgian Fruit Lambics were only for those who had big beards.
It didn’t feel right buying them – I felt out of place and maybe a little intimidated by them.
However, after receiving a box of smoked beer for Christmas I have been getting more and more into these foreign, and intriguing styles of beer.
I feel bad turning my back on Bud Light and Coors behind since they have been my best pals over the weekend since the mid-1970s.
During my ‘research’ I have been pleasantly surprised and a whole new world has opened up to me.
Since smoked beer was the first ‘trendy’ beer I was introduced to, it only feels right to start off with it in this series of beer-related posts.
Table of contents
What is Smoked Beer?
I am glad you asked, smoked beer is beer made from malted barley dried over an open flame. This method of brewing beer go back to the 16th and 17th centuries when it was just easier (and about the only way) to dry and malt barley over a flame.
How is Smoked Beer Made?
Smoked beer is traditionally made by using malted barley that has been dried over an open wood fire or flame.
You can use a pellet smoker, electric smoker or even a natural gas smoker to achieve the same smoked flavor. Not can you smoke beer, but you can also smoke drinks. From espresso martinis to bloody marys.
The Different Kinds of Smoked Beer
As you can imagine there are a lot of different smoked beers out there. But what are the best types of beer to smoke?
Honestly, that all comes down to personal preference or the preference of the brewer who is making it. This is because the smoky part comes from the beer comes from malted barley and every beer has barley in one way or another.
Some of the most popular smoked beers include:
- Rauchbier
- Stout
- Marzen/ Oktoberfest
- Larger
- Bock
- Porter
- Altbier
- Balti Porter
- Märzen
- Red Ale
- Dunkel
- You get the idea right?
Recipes That Use Beer
Looking for some delicious recipe that use beer? Here are some of my favorites
Pit Boss Smoked Beer Can Chicken
Where Can I Buy Smoked Beer?
Smoked beer is most popular in Germany where two of the original breweries still make it the old-fashioned way. These breweries are located in the small town of Bamburg Germany. The two breweries are called Schlenkerla and Spezial.
However, here in the States and throughout the rest of the beer-drinking world smoked beer is becoming more and more popular.
Nowadays you can it at almost any liquor store or your favorite brewery (if not they probably have something in the works). If you can’t find anywhere local (and you don’t want to fly to Germany), don’t stress. There are plenty of online retailers and breweries that deliver!
Like cooking with beer? Find out what my favorite beer is to use for beer can chicken so that it comes out juicy and moist!
How To Smoke Beer At Home
If you are an at-home brewer, you are in luck! You can smoke your own beer.
As mentioned above you can have any style of smoked beer – so in the recipe below, I will only be outlining the steps on how to smoke your own barley for making smoked beer. If you need a beer recipe – let me know in the comments and I will update this post to include a beer recipe too!
Depending on what type of beer you are going to be brewing will change which type of wood you will be using for the smoke.
In general, Beechwood and Cherrywood are the most common and more traditional woods to use – however, I would recommend any lighter more fruity woods for the best results. Pear
If you are using woods such as Hickory, Maple, Mesquite, Pecan or Walnut just keep in mind these are a stronger wood and will give off much more flavor. I would advise to mix one of these woods with a lighter, more fruity wood.
But at the end of the day just give it a go and experiment with whatever you can get your hands on.
When it comes to actual smoking I would recommend using a gas or electric-style smoker.
This is because the malt is smoked at a low temperature of 120 degrees Fahrenheit and gas or electricity is easier to maintain a low temperature with.
Smoked Malt Recipe (for brewing beer with)
Equipment
- Smoker
- Mesh bag
- Spray bottle full of water
Ingredients
- wood / wood chips
- Malt a light malt so it absorbs more smoke flavor
Instructions
- Prepare your smoker as per your manufacturers instructions for cold smoking. You want to pre heat your smoker for 120° F.
- Soak your malt for 5 – 10 minutes then drain to moisten. If you have a fine mesh bag to hang in your smoker I would recommend using this. This will allow you to move the malt around evenly throughout the smoke so every grain is evenly flavored.
- Once your smoker has pre heated and you have a nice clean smoke add in your malt.
- Smoking should take around 4 hours. Throughout the smoke you want to keep your malt moist, so every half hour or so check and if it needs moistening spray with your water spray bottle.
Smoke On!
Charlie
Author: Charlie Reeves
Hi, I’m Charlie, I have been meat-smoking and grilling for the past 15 years. I have an array of different smokers, thermometers, and have a love for finding the right wood and charcoal combo My favourite recipes are my EXTRA CRISPY smoked pork belly, juicy pulled pork, smoked brisket, duck poppers, and ANY SEAFOOD I grill).
I loves sharing his tips with beginners, helping them navigate the world of smoking. I find it’s not just about cooking; it’s a quest for that perfect smoky flavor.
You will usually find me playing with the kids, perfecting my brisket bark, or sipping beers with boys around the fire. Can’t wait to share all my delicious smoking and grilling recipes with you!
You can read more about me on our About Us page.
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