I miss this beer. First had in in 1995 at Max & Erma’s in the Flats and thought, this beer tastes sprucey, kinda like a black forest. Drank it until Crooked River was bought by a banker (I think) who wanted to save the comapny, and then bought by or purchased some Cinncinnatti brewery. What I would add, this beer skunked easily. I had many bottles that were vinegary. My rating is based on drinking from the tap at their old brewery near the Diamond Men’s Club in the Flats across from the Flat Iron Cafe. Long Gone. They also made a great Pumpkin Ale. Met the brewmaster at the Taste Of Cleveland in 1998. Great guy. Wonder what happened to him and his beer.l Crooked River is long gone. Anyway... Crooked River gave GLBC the biggest run for their money. This beer really had a sprucey, fuity body with a clean finish. Prost!

A nice amber color and surprising head rises to greet you - after all this bottle is likely several years old. Nice malty, slightly sugary aroma. More like a Vienna color, and also Vienna flavorings - slight caramel, but a real nutty sourness indicating this is just about gone. But still, it has (had?) quality written all over it. Bottle-conditioned, or at least unfiltered.

Wonderful dark brown lager in the German Dunkel style. Nice fruit on the aroma with a decent malt taste. Very good beer.

From the Black Forest of Ohio? Not too bad, doesn’t compete well with Great lakes offerings in the same department, but a micro clean and simple. Light head, smooth finish, and a strong alcohol flavor.

This is actually the same beer as the Select Lager. It was first called Black Forest Lager - named after an old Cleveland brand but was later re-named. Same good Munich helles lager though. Very nice.