LaConner Schwarzbier

(12 oz bottle: Bottleworks in Seattle, WA) This is a pretty old bottle I presume, and the beer has almost assuredly taken on characteristics that weren’t there originally, most notably, the fairly potent sourness. But I have to say, the sourness is actually quite nice. Rather than tasting like a schwarzbier, this is starting to remind me of some of the Flemish sour brown ales I’ve had in the past. Flavors include: tangy and acidic sourness, tart cherry, somewhat dark malt base with a hint of sweetness, and some wood and earth from the aging. The nose is sour, somewhat cherry-like, and slightly earthy. Medium bodied, nicely carbonated, and the sourness is very refreshing on the palate. The color is a medium-dark ruddy brown, but most certainly not black or even close. Half an inch of light tan head gradually settles to a wide ring. Though probably not intended, the onset of the sourness in this beer has been an interesting and thoroughly enjoyable development.

Bottle: Great aromas of pitted fruit like prunes and raisins which deceive your taste buds as they are blown away by the ultra tangy, sour hops. This is reminiscent of Worcestershire sauce (credit to Indiana_Red’s wife Melissa for this original identification). The color is dark brown, uhh, I mean schwarz and is accompanied by a frothy, light brown head. The carbonation levels are high which make the tang even more apparent. Good one, grows on you after you get used to the hops. Thanks Indiana_Red for sharing.

Clean black colour. Thin rocky head that fades quickly. Mild malt nose. Flat malty taste that lingers.

Hazy brick. Lacing, soapy bubbled foam with scattered islands of cream. Clean, but slightly metallic aroma with a slippery fruitiness and airy roast twinge. Earthy malt, sulfur accents with phenols and cocoa hints. Fairly loose carbonation but solid bodied. Acidity greets the palate, swirled with an unwavering mixture of phenols and roast astringency. Rich chocolate frosting, earthy roast, and squeaky clean lagery notes lurk beneath. Slightly gritty with cane sugar hints, but continually clean with husky malt layers that impart more fluffy girth to the body. Finishes clean with a dry, spicy bite of chalky malts and earthy hops. With the exception of the phenols and sourness, this is very well structured, highly drinkable, hoppy example of the style. Most likely an outdated bottle, but there’s no date stamp to be found.

Bottle Pours a very dark brown with a huge fluffy pale tan head that slowly receded. Very nice lacing. Aromas are a yummy carmel, dark malt and sweet brown sugar. Flavors are a sour woody carmel taste. Also of rasons and other dark pittededs. That sour taste puts me off a bit but it’s not bad. Feel is thick and smooth with a soft carbonation.