Black Forest Schwarzbier

Brewed by Black Forest Brew Haus
Style: Schwarzbier
Farmingdale, New York USA

Growler filled at the brewpub and consumed the next day. Pours a dark brown that allows very little light to pass except along the very edges with a moderate, somewhat creamy, tan head that lasted until mid-glass and left partial lace. Pleasant aroma of malt, lightly roasted, brown sugar, along with just a bit of nuts. The flavor is very similar with malt, light roast, and some mild nuts. There is also the flavor of brown sugar, but with no sweetness. Very mild bitterness at the finish and a tad dry. Overall quite good for the style.

On tap at the brewpub, known as the Schwarzbier. Deep brown, reddish hue, off-white head. The aroma is roasty, chocolately. The flavor is roasted coffee, bittersweet chocolate, light fruit. The finish is a slight bittering from the roaast, and a bittersweeet chocolate flavor, not much in the way of hops. Decent, enjoyable beer overall, if not a classic.

Growler: Pours deep brown with ruby highlights in the light and a creamy tan film of head. Aroma is well roasted with decent dark malt character, chocolate, dark grains and mild ash. Light but with rounded carbonation on the palate. Nice dark malt presence in the flavor. Some gritty chocolate, roast, smooth coffee/mocha comes through, along with a slight metallic note which is easily overlooked. The finish is slightly ashy with a moderate, peppery hop twang. A decent example of the style.

Dark pour with a thick tan head. Very faint aroma, nothing to write home about. Flavor was rather chocolate for the first few mouthfuls but it seemed to fill up my palate quickly. A bit of a chocolate bittersweetness dominates the end. I don’t regret trying it, but this is hardly a necessary beer to drink.

A decent beer, but nothing crazy. It was dark brown, and its appearance makes it stand out among the other beers that were offered at Black Forest, but it doesn’t stand out among other beers in general.

About time these guys made one of these - dark brown beer, with a slight ruby hue and a frothy tan head - fairly light aroma, with touches of cocoa and dark fruit - rather creamy mouthfeel - the faintest hint of chocolate sweetness at the outset, followed by some blueberry flavor through the middle, and then some robust, dry cocoa flavor to finish - not terribly complex, but still quite tasty, and a nice addition to an already impressive lineup of german-style beers.