 DYCSoccer17 (1994), Davis, California, USA
Mar 20, 2006 3 oz sample at the brewpub. Spicy, mild roasted metallic-chocolate aromas. Transparent amber color with a frothy khaki colored head. An attractive beer. Soft, mellow lightly roasted chocolate flavor to start, turning a bit hoppier to finish with some dry, spiced Saaz notes. An enjoyable, but seemingly straightforward beer.
ClarkVV (3547), Allston, Massachusetts, USA
Mar 16, 2006 Draught pint at the brewpub on 3/12/06 with Muzzlehatch
Extremely dark mahogany/ebony colored body, which does settle out with some clarity, though not transparent, with deep maple-brown hues and a bit of chartreuse on the edges. Tan head is well-retained and of medium size, providing light lacing.
The nose gives off a light chocolate milk note, followed by anise, raisins and some moderately drying hay on the end. Very creamy, with only an oiliness up front, that is fully subsumed by the sweet, but not heavy malts.
The flavor starts out with a dash of anise and chocolate-honey and quickly a grapey, vinous roast enters the mix, really spoiling the delicate chocolate-honey thing it has going. However, it’s very short lived. Whatever the offender, the palate becomes accustomed to it even before the end of the first sip. Quickly, grainy barley, a fair amount of German hop spiciness and only a light and very dry coffee note round out the flavor. Further sips really delve in to the hop dryness, with a rugged, yet crisp flavor that mixes well with the delicate chocolate and honey. Light yeast is apparent on the end, adding a rewarding fresh element to the beer which really makes the fresh tasting hops shine. I first thought, "A dark pils? What the hell is that??" And though Barry said it was just their name for their schwarzbier, I don’t feel like this one was much like the schwarzbiers I’ve had. Very delicate, much more attenuated and less roast and heavy chocolate driven than most I’ve had. What it does remind me of, is my first experience with schwarzbier, the charming Kostrizer. Texture is lightly fluffy, without being thin, while no alcohol is apparent and carbonation is medium.
CaptainCougar (4599), Rockville, Maryland, USA
Feb 16, 2006 Mostly opaque with dark brown edges and a frothy light-tan head. Aroma of lightly roasted dark chocolate malt with a touch of noble hops. Fresh crisp hoppy body has a nice roasty malty presence and a smooth bittering balance. A nice, fairly authentic schwarzbier.
muzzlehatch (4424), Burlington, Vermont, USA
Jan 4, 2006 Draught pint at the brewpub. Thinnish, slightly oily-looking translucent black, creamy tan head of moderate duration....licorice, prunes, lots of fine roasty malt in the nose....chocolate and light espresso, vanilla show up later....in the body, some lovely plummy character perhaps more appropriate for a dark ale but delightful nonetheless, plenty of bittersweet chocolate, touch of smokiness....full, juicy body with a fair amount of burnt character at the finish. Excellent.
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