Franconia, Germany
Aecht Schlenkerla
Bamberg brewery that still malts its own grain over beechwood fires, producing the reference smoked beer.
Also known as Brauerei Heller-Trum.
Why it matters
One of very few breweries operating its own smoke kiln, and the reason Rauchbier survives as a living style rather than a historical footnote.
Details
| Founded | 1405 |
|---|---|
| Where | Franconia, Germany |
| Status | Operating |
Reference beers
- Aecht Schlenkerla Helles
An unsmoked Helles brewed in a smoke brewery, which picks up a faint smokiness from the building itself.
- Aecht Schlenkerla Rauchbier Märzen
The reference smoked beer, made with malt kilned over the brewery’s own beechwood fire, and unmistakably smoky from the first smell.
- Aecht Schlenkerla Urbock
A strong smoked bock from Bamberg, released in autumn, where the malt is dried over beechwood fire.
BeerHQ carries only the products that anchor something. This is not the brewery’s full range.
Styles it is associated with
- Rauchbier — A Märzen-based lager brewed with beechwood-smoked malt — intensely smoky, often compared to bacon, over a clean malt base.
Traditions
- German regional speciality brewing — The city-level German traditions — Kölsch, Altbier, Rauchbier, Berliner Weisse — that survived the national spread of pale lager.
Other breweries in Germany
Augustiner · Ayinger · Badische Staatsbrauerei Rothaus · Berliner Kindl · Bitburger Brauerei · Cölner Hofbräu Früh · Dortmunder Actien-Brauerei · Einbecker Brauhaus
Last reviewed 2026-08-16.