Drinking my first smoked beer that I brewed a couple months ago. Definitely for sipping, not gulping. The smoke flavor is pretty overpowering. Also my first partial mash.
How much rauchmalt did you use? Would you back it off next time? Some of that will probably mellow out over time, if you can manage to set it aside for a while.
I've got like 16 bottles conditioning, small batch for sure. Out of 4.25 lbs, 2 were mesquite smoked 2 row, from Austin Home Brew. Can't wait to try in. About one more week to wait.