Smoke Jumper Revels in the Depth and Elegance of Smoked Malts

When you think of a summertime beer, a description like "dark, rich, robust" doesn't usually come to mind. With its limited release beer, Smoke Jumper, Left Hand Brewing Company shows that these qualities and the complex flavors associated with them really can make perfect sense on an evening in July. Smoke Jumper is a Smoked Imperial Porter - a style that can sound both intriguing and daunting to the usual craft beer drinker. While smoked beers have been around for centuries, a beer like Smoke Jumper is an innovative and delicious take on smoked malts.

Left Hand is an iconic Colorado craft brewery that was founded in 1993 in Longmont. It brews Smoke Jumper as a tribute to brave firefighters called Smokejumpers, those who parachute into wildfires to combat the fire on the ground. Smoke Jumper is the official beer of the National Smokejumper Association. Colorado, a state hit hard in recent years by wildfires, knows all too well the importance of Smokejumpers' contributions. These professionals deserve an excellent beer in their honor, and Left Hand delivers on many levels. Left Hand's brewers take the time and effort to hand-smoke the malted barley themselves, making sure it'll meld perfectly with the rest of the grain bill and all other ingredients used.

Smoke Jumper is a fuller-bodied beer, but maintains a thinner mouthfeel that doesn't quite coat the tongue like an imperial stout might. In the aroma, dark roasted malts and smokiness comes to life, almost like a campfire. The smoked malt presence blends very well with other flavors of chocolate, espresso and spices. It's a complex, smooth flavor profile that packs a punch but stops well short of overwhelming the palate. Left Hand also recommends enjoying this beer at 55 degrees, which helps unlock everything that's happening in it. At 8.8 percent ABV, Smoke Jumper is most appropriate as a sipping beer, but could pair very well with a variety of foods like grilled meats, aged cheeses and some desserts.

The recent cool, often rainy evenings we've experienced in Colorado create the perfect opportunity to enjoy Smoke Jumper. It would also make a great beer to share with friends around a campfire in the Rocky Mountains. Pick up a bottle and raise a glass to Smokejumpers everywhere!