One of several genre-defying, boundary-pushing brews from Portland, OR’s Rogue Ales, Voodoo Doughnut Maple Bacon Ale is a, a sweet, salty, smoky ale. The brown ale was created in collaboration with famed Voodoo Doughnuts, and incorporates a baker’s dozen of ingredients, including pure maple flavoring and Applewood-smoked bacon.

Poured from a very unique 750-ml. bottle painted a bright opaque pink, Bacon Maple Ale smells exactly like a campfire mixed with a hint of maple syrup. Imagine the scent of your clothes after returning from a weekend of fun by a bonfire. Smoke is a big part of this beer’s flavor profile, with several smoked malt included in the 13-ingredient bill.

Letting the beer warm to room temperature allows notes of the bacon and stern maple syrup to emerge beyond the enveloping tones of pure campfire. Despite the strength of flavors, this beer is not astringent, nor does it linger unpleasantly. At 5.6 % ABV, this is a great beer to split among friends with a curious palate.

Voodoo Doughnut Bacon Maple Ale is unlike almost any other beer we’ve tried. Brewed as an homage to the popular sweet and salty donut, this brew is truly unique, and though not something to drink frequently, it is definitely worth trying. Try it with pork or bacon — or perhaps a donut — for the ultimate in fun beer and food pairing.

Top photo via Flickr user JulieFaith