Georg Rittmayer Rauchbier
 

Review Date 9/9/2024  By John Staradumsky

  Style: Rauchbier   Brewery: Rittmayer Hallendorf   Country: Germany   State: N/A   $ Per OZ: $.15 (B)   ABV: 5%

OK so not long ago I bought a Biergarten Collection box at Costco. This specialty import packages contains 24 different German brews to be enjoyed this fall and winter. The very first beer I tried from the box was a Festbier from Brauerei Rittmayer Hallendorf, and I enjoyed it very much.

That wasn’t the best of it, though, because the box also included a can of Georg Rittmayer Rauchbier. Anyone who regularly (or even not so regularly) reads my reviews knows how much I love Rauchbier. Rauchbier is smoked beer, and nobody but nobody brews it like the Germans do.

I hopped on over to the brewery website to see what they had to say about their Rauchbier.

Handwerklich gebraut nach dem Bayerischen Reinheitsgebot von 1516. In der Tradition oberfränkischer Rauchbiere in und um Bamberg zeichnet sich das Hallerndorfer Rauchbier durch animierende Frische und eleganten Einsatz von Rauchmalz aus. Eine harmonische Verbindung von fruchtigen Malznoten, feiner Hopfenbittere und dezenter Rauch- und Röstaromatik regt zum Weitertrinken an. Mehrfach prämiert beim European Beer Star®.

Which means if you don’t speak German:

Craft brewed according to the Bavarian Purity Law of 1516. In the tradition of Upper Franconian smoked beers in and around Bamberg, Hallerndorfer Rauchbier is characterized by animating freshness and elegant use of smoked malt. A harmonious combination of fruity malt notes, fine hop bitterness and subtle smoky and roasted aromas encourages you to continue drinking.

Not that I take much encouragement to continue drinking but yes, this beer did do that for me. I loved it from the first sip and did not want my can to end.

Georg Rittmayer Rauchbier has an alcohol content of 5% by volume and I paid $2.50 for my can ($59.95 for the collection divided by 24). That is an amazing deal. My can was stamped best before 07/2025.

Georg Rittmayer Rauchbier pours to a deep chestnut color with a thick rocky head and a nose of powerful hickory smoke. Taking a sip, the beer is firm and malty, medium in body with caramel and a  hint of brown sugar. Its permeated with hickory smoke and immensely bacony. Candied bacon notes appear, and they are delicious. The beer finishes with a gentle balancing bitterness and more smoke.

Judged to style and hedonistically, I give this one 4.5 stars out of five. Factor in the rock bottom price and I am bumping it up to a full 5 rating. This is a beer I would love to buy a 4-pack of, even if the price was higher.

Other beers in this collection:

Rittmayer Hallendorf 1422 Festbier

Irlbacher Premium Vollbier Hell

Klosterbrau Neuzeller Anas Geheimnisse

Eichbaum Perfekte Zeit Wheat Pale Ale

Rhaner Export Dunkel