Pennichuck Feuerwehrmann Schwarzbier (Firefighter Black Lager)

Brewed by Pennichuck Brewing Company
Style: Schwarzbier
Milford, New Hampshire USA

In short: A very hoppy Schwarzbier. Very good.
How: Tap at Vermont Brewers Festival 2008
The look: Black body topped by a small tan ring
In long: Malt and yeast profile is smooth and round reminded me a lot of Czech Republic Tmavys. Roastiness kept to a minimum, light burnt toast flavour, hints of chocolate, raisins, light molasses. But where this one stood out is in the hopping department. Dry grassy noble hops and fruity American style hops. Some lemony touches too. Long bitter finish with a light tartness. Not a very tasty beer but man could I drink pint after pint of this thing. This is an above average Schwarzbier adapted for the hop-loving American. The day of hoppy double cheeseburger is coming.

Objectively speaking: 660mL from Half Time. Confident, aromatic and charming, friendly dark lager.
I like: Focused on the dark malt character, neglecting the fruits, but doing so well at chocolate, roasted grains and soft toffee whispers that you just want to take it as it is and drink a lot of it. Remarkably drinkable for a lager of this bulk. Strinking a fine balance between sweet and dry. Just a touch of soft balancing hops.
I dislike: Nothing of note here.

My Bottom Line:
Roasted and toasted cereals conjure up a creamy mouthfeel for this honest and very friendly Schwarzbier.

Further Personal Perceptions:
-A veil of foam covers the dark brown.
-A discreet roasted malt and hop duo produce amenable bitterness.
-Some caramel sweetness is perceived in the flavor profile.
-The body is crisp and nourishing, a very drinkable vehicle.
-Overall, this might not be very complex, but it’s simplicity exemplifies the virtues of pure goodness.

Bottle.

22 oiz bottle. Almost black in color with some ruby highlights. Aroma is moderately roasty, some dry chocolate, a touch of noble hops. Taste is roasty for the style, with some chocolate, and a moderate malty sweetness. Light bodied, with a light to moderate hop bitterness in the finish. nice, clean profile. This one may be a touch roastier than other shwarzbier’s I’ve had but it was enjoyable.

bottle from mcox90: pours dark dark brown almost black small off white head. aroma is a big roast and some chocolate, the malt is ther but the roast dominates slight cocoa too. flavour is nice great roast with some bitter chocolate and mice maltiness good beer

At Vero. thanks Backus for setting this aside. Dark black-brown, semi-clear. Husky aroma. Mellows into a sweeter and finely structured malt body. Excellent level of sweetness. Smooth, with a gorgeous body.

re-rate...totally black with thick tan head. Good-looking brew. Some spice in the aromas. Ginger? Some cola. Very authentic aromas. clean, good. Delicious, Perfect mouthfeel, creamy but light at the same time. The flavors are spot on for the style, not too much roast, not too much chocolate, but has both. Subtle and very good!

Bottle courtesy of mcbackus. Pours dark brown with light tan head. Smokey roasted aroma. Flavors of caramel, roasted malts, some chocolate. Medium body with average carbonation. A nice schwarzbier that is easy to drink.

Courtesy mcbackus. Pours a dark brown, with an off white head. Smells of big caramel, graham crackers, and smooth vanilla. The flavor was a little mellow, dark fruits and malts encompass its identity. A little roasty with sometoasted malt in there too. Nice drinking little schwarzbier, nothing too complex or exciting, but certainly drinkable.