hopIQ
ENDE
Build your DNASign in

Kuckuck

Wagner-Bräu Kemmern
Tap to rate
🌍 Germany · Rauchbier · One of 17 Rauchbiers in hopIQ

A Rauchbier on a Märzen base, brewed at over 13 °P with a restrained dose of smoked malt and a subtle hop bitterness. It pours light amber to honey-gold and clear. The nose opens with a distinct smoked-ham note alongside caramel and floral hops. On the palate malt sweetness, candied-sugar and caramel tones combine with gentle smoke over a medium body, and the finish is spicy, with grassy and herbal hop notes and moderate residual sweetness.

ABV
5.8%
Bitterness
Lightly bitter
Malt-forward bitterness
SRM
amber12
How it drinks· Its pace, balance and relationship to the style.
Pace
sessionsipper
Balance
malt-ledhop-led
Style expression
textbookdistinctive
Where this beer sits· Four axes, the same for every beer in hopIQ.
Body
Lean body.
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
Dry finish.
drysweet
Bitterness
Soft bitterness.
mildbitter
Texture
Crisp mouthfeel.
crispcreamy

The texture leads here, with everything else held in gentle reserve.

Character· What makes this beer itself — not just another Rauchbier.
Hop character
herbal
floral
grassy
hoppy
Malt character
caramel
malty
Distinctive notes
smoky
spicy
Fermentation & yeast
clean

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Kuckuck

◎ Appearance

Kuckuck presents a light amber to honey-gold hue, bright and crystalline in the glass. The head forms with fine, persistent foam that clings to the glass walls with good retention, characteristic of a well-crafted lager. Carbonation is evident but restrained, lending the beer a refined presentation.

light amberbrilliant claritypersistent headfine carbonation

◌ Aroma

The nose opens distinctly with smoked-ham character, a signature note that defines the beer's identity. Beneath this sits a softer base of caramel sweetness and subtle floral hop notes, creating a balanced bouquet. The smoke remains restrained rather than overpowering, allowing the underlying malt complexity to breathe.

smoked hamcaramel sweetnessfloral hopsrestrained smoke

◐ Taste

On entry, malt sweetness and candied-sugar tones establish a foundation of gentle richness across a medium body. The palate develops with layered caramel notes harmonizing with subtle smoke throughout the mid-palate. Hop bitterness remains moderate and integrated, with grassy and herbal dimensions adding complexity without assertiveness.

malt sweetnesscaramelgentle smokeherbal hopsmedium body

◑ Finish

The finish is spicy and dry, with grassy hop notes asserting themselves cleanly. Moderate residual sweetness lingers pleasantly, creating a balanced conclusion rather than a sharp or austere ending.

spicy finishgrassy hopsbalanced sweetness
79
hopIQ score
Aroma
80
Taste
78
Appearance
82
Finish
76
+ Sign in to add your tasting note

Serve & Enjoy

How to get the most out of Kuckuck

Serve at 4–7°C
Refrigerate, then rest 2 min

Serve at 4–7°C for the best flavour balance and aroma expression.

Pint glass
Recommended for this style

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

Store in a cool, dark place. Check the best-before date on the label for guidance.

Food Pairing

What to eat with Kuckuck

About Rauchbier

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Rauchbier?

Rauchbier is a distinctive beer style with its own characteristic flavour, aroma and colour. Discover what makes it unique and find similar beers on hopIQ.

Finding a similar Rauchbier

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

Other Rauchbiers in hopIQ

Compare with another beer →