Märkischer Landmann Schwarzbier

Brewed by Berliner Kindl Brauerei (Oetker Group)
Style: Schwarzbier
Berlin, Germany

Schwarzbier as a style, is a very dark, malty, slightly roasty lager. It it much like a Munich dunkle, but is darker in color, and has touches of chocolate, coffee, and roast, that you will not find in a dunkel. I am a huge fan of this style, and drank quite a bit of it when I was visiting Eastern states of Germany. If you find yourself in Berlin, and you want to taste an outstanding example of this beer, then I suggest you try a few glasses of Märkischer Landmann Schwarzbier brewed by the Berliner Kindl Brauerei AG of Berlin, Germany. Their version is truly outstanding with lots of great dark malt aromas and flavors, on a smooth, clean body. This beer is very popular in Berlin, and I found it pouring at a number of taverns that I visited. Märkischer Landmann Schwarzbier pours to a beautiful, deep brown to ebony color with a thick and creamy tan head, and a moderate amount of carbonation. This beer is pitch black, but when held to the light, beautiful deep ruby red hues sparkle from the corners of the glass. The nose on this beer is outstanding, with lots of good dark malt aroma, paired with hints of dark chocolate aroma, and light touches of roasted malt. The palate is firm with good dark and sweet malt flavors, flavors of dark chocolate, and mild coffee. Märkischer Landmann Schwarzbier finishes with more good sweet and dark malt character, then ends with a dry and light roasty finish that balances the sweetness of this beer. Some grassy hop bitterness can be found in the finish as well, but hops in this case, are used just to balance the malt sweetness. An excellent example of schwarzbier, one that should not be missed if you visit Berlin. This beer is not exported to the United States, so it is worth the journey to try this one. There are plenty on taverns in Berlin that serve this beer, and one place I really loved visiting was Zum Nussbaum or "To the Nut Tree". Just a short walk from the Alexanderplatz, Zum Nussbaum until 1943, was Berlin’s oldest tavern, first opening its doors in 1571. Allied bombs destroyed it, but an exact replica was recreated, and you will now find Zum Nussbaum in the Nikolaiviertel section of Berlin. It is a wonderful place to go for a hearty lunch or dinner, and has such charm and character. If you go, you must try an eisbein which is a Berlin specialty. It is a pickled, boiled knuckle of pork served with sauerkraut, mashed peas, and fried potatoes. The portion is enormous, so bring your appetite. I enjoyed an eisbein at Nussbaum one cold and rainy Berlin afternoon, and Märkischer Landmann Schwarzbier was the perfect beer to match with it.

Delicious and dark with LOTS of flavor. A Xingu this is not. A touch roasty. Enjoyed in Berlin on tap.

Re-rate: Very dark, burned aroma and chokolate tastenotes, powefull and complex palate - much more than other schwarzbier.

probably more of a porter than a schwarzbier. thick and creamy. good hops

Bottle. Black/red. Quite sweet full bodied balanced by roast barley and some hops. Very enjoyable.

Funny when I was in Berlin I didn’t see this anywhere on tap but I was able to buy a bottle of this and their swanky glass. Malty raisins, some roasty burnt-ness and a nice schwarzbier. Page 306 of Michael Jackson’s Great Beer Guide and only 321 out of his 500 Classic Brews to go.

A nice schwarzbier. Aroma is sweet. Malty raisins, some roasty burntness. Sweetish start, the mouthfeel feels a bit hollow. the sweetness and flavour in general dissapears, before reapearing right at the end, with a nicely soft, burnt raisiny finish, also a bit toasty and bitter, quite a long finish, considering the weight and body of the beer. Very approachable, highly drinkable.

Bottled. Dark ruby colour. Smokey aroma with roasted malt and coffee notes. Balanced flavour of hops and roasted malt. Dry finish.