Had to go on-site for this review. The Blind Pig brewery of Champaign, Illinois, made another smoked beer and I slipped in there to review it. And they delivered another positive experience no matter how you look at it. Smoked Rye Lager smells great from the start, indicating that Bamberg is near (spiritually). Using grown up smoked malts and letting them drive the flavor is winning half the battle right there. All too often brewers over analyze what might lose customers, and wind up delivering a flavorless and/or muddled beer that their mother-in-law would like in an attempt to please everyone with every beer. Well, that’s gutless. This beer has guts. And even to the slight detriment of the beer. Smoked Rye Lager tasted great at the start with a thirst quenching, smoky, ashy taste, but then bitterness cropped up after a few swigs, pulling a good deal of moisture from my mouth. I’d tone down the hops next go around Blind Pig. And as I got down further into the glass, the refreshing campfire-esque swallers moved into an even more burnt and bitter experience. Then this large group of dudes approached the bar for drinks all at the same time, totally crowding up my area. I like my space… I don’t really think they had too many options, however. This beer is 2 beers I tell you, one good one for a few gulps, and then the rest of the beer which may or may not come with distinct change in ambiance. All in all, Blind Pig is getting a 4.2 out of 7 smokestacks, just over the hump.

The website could use some work… whatev’

http://blindpigbrewery.com/brewery.html