Great Waters Sink the Bismarck German Black Ale

Formerly brewed at Great Waters Brewing
Style: Schwarzbier
St. Paul, Minnesota USA

Serve in Dimpled mug, Lager glass, Stein

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Dark brown body, cocoa-colored head. Aroma is mild and creamy, though notes of coffee and cocoa perk up. Taste: nice, smooth, clean, if uncomplex. Just enough depth, though, to keep the tongue happy, medium body, neat texture. Easy drinking, ideal session-style brew. This was a "German black" at the pub, not a nomenclature I’ve encountered before. No matter, it was a nice enough ale.

Color is a super nice solid deep dark brown and when held up to the light has some beautiful deep russet around the edges and helps eluminate the richer tones or glorious brown within. Thick cream colored head about a finger high which fades slowly to some hazy bubbles on top always present and layered lace in spotty sheets. A beauty of a glass to behold! OK, the smell absolutely is void and null with a fairly non-existent roasty malt and thats it! another disappointing nose form the beers at Great Waters. Aromatic malts need to be beefed up immensely! OK, taste is a step up in the right direction with a very mild and smooth with light roasted malts and dryish chocolate and cocoa with a touch of dried hops showing through in some of the finish. Would like to see some more roastyness and some dark fruity notes but none are found. That said the feel is actually pretty good, a medium body, creamy at first and has a light velvety feel coming through with a cottony late finish of drying, kinda nice, I liked it. A super smooth drinker, sits comfortably on the palette, not demanding much more, but boy it would be nice if it had some more flavor, heft, and body. Still a delightful beer to drink then the other mainstays at GW.

Tap. Dark brown with a reddish tint. Some roasted malts. Rather plain.

Dark mahogany with red peeping through against a light. Thin head, completely dissipating. Malty, but somewhat thin and overcarbonated. Muted flavors.