Piece Dark Bier

Brewed by Piece Brewery & Pizzeria
Style: Schwarzbier
Chicago, Illinois USA

12 oz pour at the brewery. Dark brown with a wispy head. Again, a light aroma that has lightly sharp grain with a hint of must and sweetness. The flavor is mostly malty with hints of sweetness and grain (roasted). Light molasses and/or brown sugar. Light medium body but the mouth feel is dull and unexciting on the tongue.

Taster at Piece. Here I had thought this was just a nice dark English ale. Bartender was kind of busy, so I wasn’t bothering him for specifics. But a Schwartz? Nah. My tiny amount looked cloudy brown, with a distinct fruity ale smell. A very nice "Irish Red" ale malt profile, and just a twinge of European finishing hops. I kind of regret not getting a whole glass of this.

This pours a murky dark brown with a skinny tan head. The aroma is roasted malts, roasted barley, and a big splash of chocolate. Nice carbonation. The flavor is rich ’n’ roasty with chocolate and a bit of toffee. This has more ale qualitites than those of a Schwarzbier, but as Piece says, "It’s a dark bier." Not bad.

<font size=-4>Imbibed at the <a href=http://www.ratebeer.com/events-detail.asp?eve Monthly Chicago RateBeerian Gathering at <a href=http://www.ratebeer.com/Places/ShowPlace.asp? & Pizzeria, Chicago, IL, 1/13/2007.<font size=-1>

Hazy dark brown body, minimal head. Nesquick chocolate and a light touch of black malt in the aroma. The flavor brings more milk chocolate and light acidic black roast. This stuff isn’t watery just not punchy.

On tap.
Pours an opaque red-brown with quickly receding off-white head. Aroma is toasty grain, a bit of toffee, and a good dose of chocolate. The toasted grain and chocolate hit together in the flavor, with a splash of roast grain bitterness and light hops following. Medium body, almost sticky palate. One of the best of the Piece lineup.

Like most schwarzbiers I’ve had I like it better than most lighter beers, but not nearly as much as a porter or stout. A little roasted malt in the nose. Some malts, chocolate, and molasses. Waxy mouthfeel. Very light palate. Ok, but not exciting.

I drove all the way from Oakville, Ontario Canada for a pint...or two. Well worth the drive.

Draught during my Great Lakes region brew tour. Silky black pour with some red hues and a white head. Caramel and peat are in the nose. This has a very low hop profile. It’s light in the mouth and sweet, though slightly tart like sourdough. Pretty straightforward Schwarz.