About Köstritzer Schwarzbier: Sparkling character similar strength to light beers. Varied taste ranges from smooth to sweet through to light and fresh. Distinctive fine malty flavour from refined barley malt
Schwarzbier means "black beer" in German. It is a medium-bodied, malt-accented dark brew, very opaque and deep-sepia in color, with a chewy texture and a firm, creamy, long-lasting head. In spite of its dark color, it comes across as a soft and elegant brew that is rich, mild, and surprisingly balanced. It never tastes harsh, toasty or acrid. The beer is often referred to as a Schwarzpils, a "black Pils," but, unlike a blond Pils, which can be assertively bitter, the hop bitterness in Schwarzbier is always gentle and subdued.
In a glass, Schwarzbier looks much like a British dark ale, but looks can be deceiving. Schwarzbier, unlike a British ale, has a clean lager taste that leaves next to no perception of fruitiness on the palate. Instead, Schwarzbier produces very mild, almost bittersweet, notes of chocolate, coffee, and vanilla. Like most traditional German lagers, Schwarzbier has a malty middle, but the sweetness is never cloying or overpowering. The beer is moderately to well attenuated and the finish tends to be dry. Its alcohol level by volume is in the range of 4.5 to 5%, rarely higher. To accentuate the Schwarzbier's dark elegance and appealing head, always serve it in a tall, fluted or tulip-shaped glass.
IBU: 22
Beer Color (SRM): 28
Recommended Glass: Handled Glass Stein
ABV: 4.8%
Case cost: $32
*website: www.koestritzer.de/en/products/
I usually don't like lagers but when I poured it and saw how black and smooth this was I wanted to give it an unbiased try like I did women before I got married. I found the beer to be just like my experiences with other women with darker complexions. Well balanced with a silky smooth feel. Although I don't usually like lagers I found this black version to be very good and find myself open to other black lagers. I would have liked a higher ABV but maybe tomorrow I can get the full package.
ReplyDeleteRating: 8
Hardly recovered from that last miller mite, I decided to get dressed as Santa (again) and cracked this one open. Taste buds still destroyed by the events of 12 hours ago, no fair rating can be assessed.
ReplyDeleteYou can definitely taste the coffee and vanilla in this beer. It's not that bad of a beer and is a perfect sipping beer for a rainy, dreary day like today, it's no session beer. It seems like a beer you might enjoy sitting in a small cafe next to a fire reading or talking to friends.
ReplyDeleteI was apprehensive about this beer because I like lagers, but I don't like very dark beers. I was happy with the taste. I definitely tasted the coffee, chocolate, and vanilla, but they weren't overpowering. However, I do not think that I would buy this on my own.
ReplyDeleteDoes straight from the bottle count as a "fluted, tulip-shaped glass"? Because that worked for me. I had pretty low expectations for this but holy crap did this hit the spot. Maybe it was the thrilling Redskins victory or the joy of driving around listening to depressed Ravens fans on 98 rock after the game, but I drank this in about 5 minutes. It's like a flavorful lager. I'm a big fan. Two straight days of new beers I may go and hunt down.
ReplyDeleteHuge fan. Thought it would taste like Guinness based on the appearance but it certainly did not. Not that there is anything wrong with Guinness but unexpected in a good way. None of the sweetness some of these other beers have had.
ReplyDeleteLoved this German lager! Black lagers are the best of both worlds...deep rich flavor and light crisp finish. In my opinion, the perfect session beer. My sessions rarely last longer than 3 beers these days, regardless I'd bring a sixer. WILL pick up a case of this as soon as these 24 days expire.
ReplyDeleteBesides always unique Guinness, the only other black lager I remember having is Sam Adams and I remember it as being pretty good. Well, this one is a slight better than that. A nice flavor and a nice finish and not heavy at all. I would echo Bob's sentiment that this is a perfect sipping beer. Really, it seems like a perfect breakfast beer. Grade: 7/10
ReplyDeleteHow bout that. A German lager that doesn't suck. Well done.
ReplyDeleteWow, I loved this beer. It may be the best of its genre I've ever had. Roast of the malt was great and zero flabbiness in the aftertaste. I wanted another 2 or 3 after I was done. I will be getting this again. A.
ReplyDeleteHELLO! Nice I'm a big fan of that style. I was very surprise and put that one on my shopping list. Rated 7.9/10
ReplyDeleteYummy.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteAnd in my annual tradition I posted under my wife's name. Hence the "comment been removed by the author" above.
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed this one immensely. However - full disclosure I could not muster the strength to drink it on Sunday. The copious miller lite consumption the day before crippled my ability to drink any beer. I feel great shame.
Point of order Mr Chairman. What's with this 11.2 ounce bullshit? Thats almost 2 beers gone in a case. I know I've made this point before, but can someone answer? Is this some sort of metric system crap?
Grade: Stumbling and falling down
Best yet....very tasty, not heavy. Disappointed I couldn't throw back a few more...this will definitely find its way to the Green beer fridge in the near future.
ReplyDelete*Playing catch-up tonight. The activities on Saturday wrecked my taste buds, so I took a couple days off. Also, just noticed I didn't put the case cost on this, just added it. $32 a case.
ReplyDeleteWhen we picked this beer I did not have high hopes for it. I generally don't like really dark beers. After reading the comments I had high hopes for this beer. The comments were correct. I love it. It's really an interesting beer. In the glass it looks like it would be heavy, but one taste completely eliminates that idea. It is very light, has a great taste and goes down well. I drank this very quick and want a few more. Maybe Katy will not like this one and I can have another!
Rating: 8.5 out of 10, B+
Cardinal Puff drinks his second beer of the night.
ReplyDeleteDies ist ein sehr dunkles Bier. Ich mag Käse
Google translate to understand.
Very smooth. I wouldn't kick it out of bed.
I know I'm late to the game with this one, but I'm happy I waited to drink this so I could enjoy it for happy hour after work. I loved it! Finally found a favorite from the winter beers so far. I drank it pretty quick from the bottle - didn't want to see the color and sway my opinion. I don't like coffee or chocolate tasting beers and I could not make out either of those tastes, fortunately. Check plus!
ReplyDeleteI'm a fan of Gordon Biersch's Schwarzbier as a nice change of pace from my normal onslaught on IPAs. But this one left me a little disappointed.
ReplyDelete