We use a very special smoked malt for our Aecht Schlenkerla Erle black beer. This is not dried over a beech wood fire as usual, but over an alder wood fire. The alder smoked malt brings a fine, complex smoky flavor to the beer, which is less strong and spicy than our classic smoked beer.
This Rauchbier style beer is best paired with barbecue and German cuisine especially beef, game, grilled/smoked meats, salmon, and also sharp style cheeses such as Blue or peppery style cheeses like Monterey.