Waldmann Lichtenhainer Sour Smoked Ale

 Waldmann Lichtenhainer Sour Smoked Ale.

4.6 % ABV, Waldmann Brewery, St. Paul, MN. 

An unusual look to this one. Clear, dark, smokey amber hue, off-white head that drifts down quickly. 

In the nose: soft, sweet, with the smoke assuredly wafting in, and the sour coming in at the back. 

In the mouth: Starts out fruity and sweet, soft on the palate, light bodied. Smoke comes on slowly, sour is minor. Everything is in moderation here, which is fully in the German style. Nothing is too anything. Easy-drinking, and full of character. 

I may be disappointed that this isn't bolder or fuller, but who am to say that it isn't exactly what it's supposed to be? I've only had one other beer in this style, brewed by Fair State, and it tasted pretty much the same, if remember way back to 3 or 4 years ago. (It was just re-released, so maybe I should get over there and check it out again.)

Sour Smoked Ale - Brewed for centuries near Jena in the Thuringia region of northeastern Germany, this pale, unfiltered beer is brewed with both wheat and barley malts, including a touch of floor malted beechwood smoked barley. The use of 10% acidulated malt gives the beer a weakly sour taste. The style disappeared completely late in the last century and is still very rare in the US. A low ABV combined with a slightly smoky and tart flavor makes this the rarest breed of session beers.