I've also had the opportunity to taste the smoked "rauch" beer on a recent visit to Bamberg, Germany. I agree with chewse's assessment, it has a sort of bacon flavor to it, which is not unpleasant and becomes more and more enjoyable with each pint.

I also visited a pub in Heidelberg which has the world's strongest beer at 33% alcohol (it is listed as such in the Guinness book). It's called Vetter 33. The first impression was that of sipping maple syrup. It's much thicker then any other beer I've tasted and also a bit syrupy. That said, I found it to be quite drinkable and enjoyable. It was said at the time the the Scots were trying to brew a beer with 37% alcohol. They were going to name it "Sink the Bismark"! Don't know if that was fact or fancy.

Years ago, Sam Adams came out with a beer called "Triple Bock". It was yeasty and worty and basically undrinkable.