McNeills Humperdink

this beer is consumed by the gods in valhalla.

Black and nearly opaque with THICK tan head. Slight coffee in full malty nose, hinted with chestnut overtones. Huge roasty mouthfeel once again with chestnut overtones. The god of all Schwarzbiers.

Early 2006 bomber? You can never be too sure with McNeill’s, but I did buy it at Winooski, and I don’t think this one ages that well, so it must be fairly fresh. Drunk on 4/27/06
When bottle conditioned and unfiltered beers go bad, they really go bad, but when they go "good", they do so equally as well. This one showed a ton of light chocolate brown head that was retained throughout the entire bottle, with lacing and all, up and down the glass. Lively bubbles still visible in the medium-dark, cola-brown liquid, with an auburn-ruby glow on the edges and high clarity from a settled out bottle and careful pour.
The nose takes a little while to build up steam, but once it’s warmed and breathed, the melanoidins, baker’s chocolate, strong roast character and balance of vibrant/piquant fruitiness and dry, British malt-like nuttiness is absolutely charming. Even some grassy/spicy hops thrown in for good measure, adding a layer of complexity on end, without disrupting the malt strength or harrying the fruitiness. Lacking is any real breadiness, and that is a great thing, as that quality too often builds up and over-dries the finish. One of the most complex aromas I’ve come across in a 4.5%abv beer. I didn’t find an unbalanced or domineering roastiness at all, nor any of the smokiness others have talked about, but just supple milk-chocolate sweetness and dark fruits, ending on spicy hops and light anise-infused coffee.
Supple maltiness is the key to the flavor, and is always difficult for me to not gush about. Smooth, nearly creamy and perfectly tempered by light vinousness and cola-like notes, leading to a very dry, light roasted bitterness on end and more fresh roasted coffee with ample cream. I expected the malt to recede as it warmed, fearing some nuttiness and roast astringency might take over, but it was anything but. An almost liqueurous-like cherry cordial chocolatiness (hyperbole, for sure, but it still made me think of it) emerges, with light traces of sweet cream, and then is suddenly snapped off, as the fine-bubbled carbonation clears the palate, leaving dry brown malts in its wake.
I could definitely believe that I just got a bottle in its absolute best shape, and perhaps it was also the right beer at the right time, but whatever the case, I can hardly rate it any less than what I experienced. Somehow lighter, more drinkable and bright (if you can use that in describing a schwarzbier) than your typical, more heavily malted, sweet schwarzbier. More like Kostritzer, I suppose, in that regard, but take Kostritzer, don’t filter it and serve it fresh and bottle conditioned and you are closer to this. Elegant....very elegant.

Poured a prunish/black color with a thin off white head that left light lacing on the glass. Aroma of chocolate, roast and various dried fruits. Taste of chocolate and more raisins, roasted coffee, and finishes with a dry hoppiness. A very enjoyable schwarz.

I get berries and licorice and smokiness in the flavor of this medium-bodied beauty. I get a coca-cola appearance and a foamy head, and a slightly hoppy, bitter palate that lingers and lingers (but in a nice way). Don’t know how close this is to the ’typical’ schwartzbier, but it’s another quality addition to a line of beers that I predict (or at least hope) will soon be challenging the Rogues of the world.