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Smoke on the Water

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The autumn entry in the Skeena seasonal series, an amber ale brewed with grain smoked over Kispiox cottonwood. Toffee and toasted bread come from the malt, and the smoke sits behind them as a thin, dry woodiness rather than anything campfire-like. The body is medium and malt-led, the hops present only as balance, and the smoke is what lingers longest in the finish. Label art by Roy Henry Vickers.

ABV
6%
Bitterness
Noticeably bitter
Malt-forward bitterness
SRM
amber12
PaceTwo or Three
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
Balance
malt-forwardhop-forward
What makes this beer itself
smokytoastymalty
smoky
toasty
malty
caramel
earthy
oak
Aroma
Smoke dominates immediately, but it reads as dry woodsmoke rather than aggressive or camp-fire driven.
not found:hoppy,roasted,fruity,spicy

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Smoke on the Water

◎ Appearance

Deep amber to copper-brown, clear and bright. The head is modest but persistent, laying down fine lacing as it recedes. Carbonation appears moderate and well-integrated.

deep amberclearfine lacing

◌ Aroma

Smoke dominates immediately, but it reads as dry woodsmoke rather than aggressive or camp-fire driven. Beneath lies toasted bread and malt sweetness, with subtle caramel undertones. The smoke sits layered over the grain, creating a complex if restrained bouquet.

woodsmoketoasted graincaramel notesdry

◐ Taste

Malt-forward on entry, with toffee and toasted bread character establishing the foundation. Hops provide gentle balance without asserting themselves; the medium body remains smooth and approachable. Smoke threads through the mid-palate as a thin, earthy woodiness, never overwhelming the malt sweetness.

toffeetoasted breadearthy smokemalt-driven

◑ Finish

Medium-length, with smoke lingering longest in the aftertaste. The dry woodiness persists as the malt sweetness fades, leaving a clean and slightly astringent conclusion.

smoke lingersdryclean finish
78
hopIQ score
Aroma
80
Taste
78
Appearance
75
Finish
76
Serve at 8–11°C

Serve at 8–11°C for the best flavour balance and aroma expression.

Pint glass

The classic — versatile, comfortable to hold and keeps the beer cool. No frills, no distractions: just the beer.

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Food Pairing

What to eat with Smoke on the Water

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About Smoked Amber Ale

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Smoked Amber Ale?

Amber Ales have 4.5–6.2% ABV and IBU 25–40. Caramel malt sweetness balanced by moderate hop bitterness, a reddish-amber colour and smooth finish.

Finding a similar Smoked Amber Ale

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same smoky, toasty, malty character as Smoke on the Water will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

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