Why We Picked It: I picked this up straight from the brewery on Snowden River. A fan of the brewery and this is not one I had before. Also wanted to have lagers represented.
What Black Flag Says About It: Dark Lager brewed with flavorful German base and munich malts as well as a touch of blackprinz malt to impart a smooth flavor along with its black color. Very lightly hopped with all German hops.
Style: Lager - Dark
ABV: 5.2%
IBU: 15
Website: https://www.blackflagbrewingco.com/
To Better Know A Brewery: Established 2015 we are the first production brewery and taproom in Columbia; now with 16 taps. Located on Snowden River Parkway behind Lincoln Tech's large parking lot. To get to us, turn at the traffic light onto the unnamed road by the parking lot.
This is leaning into my preferred flavor zone.
ReplyDeleteReally looking forward to this one. I like black flag so I'm hoping they stick the gybe on this one.
Now the question: to day drink on a Sunday or not?
Interesting concoction. I don't think it holds up well on the world stage as a Dark Lager, but it is not a disappointing beer per se.
ReplyDeleteThis kicks off light with a "claimed" 15 IBU, which seems low to me, and strong malty flavor. Hints of coffee follow through and stay well into the after taste. What's a little off is the earthy, metallic(?) tinge that kicks in mid way through into the after taste. Don't hate it, I've experienced it before and maybe someone knows what ingredient produces it.
Finally, I feel it's a little viscous, I would think it would be a little thicker and the taste seems watered down a little.
Overall though, I'm very happy with this one. Based on the last two beers and assessing the groups taste, maybe this splits the middle between a high ABV stout/porter and an IPA?
3/5 walk the lines.
Came here to crack Saved by the Bell jokes. Horribly disappointed. Who's got two thumbs and drank the wrong Black Flag? This one is warm right now. I'll put it in the fridge now and should be good for later. In ten years of this, I have never done this before. I blame age and probable drunkenness last night after the bourbon, I mean Dragon's Milk. Spoiler Alert. The Kapowski was mighty tasty!
ReplyDeleteWait a day. The SBTB jokes are coming...
DeleteEnjoyed this one during an intimate 24DOB firepit with a few fellow drinkers. This was a smooth and enjoyable beverage. I actually think I like black lagers more than traditional lagers. They are lighter and more favorable than a porter but more interesting than a lager. This was a good one. I give this 3.75 out of 5 Popeyes.
ReplyDeleteI found this one to be kind of bland. I guess that’s more of a psychological effect though - it LOOKS like it will be flavorful so the black lager taste is a little disappointing. Next time I’ll try it blindfolded.
ReplyDeleteI nearly forgot about this today. We had a long day of virtual and outdoor activities with football in the middle. I opened it and it had a noticeable musty smell. Not in a a bad way, just did.
ReplyDeleteTook a sip and found it a little bland. Then I remembered one of my kids had made a chocolate chip banana Bundt cake with a peanut butter glaze (he has turned into a pretty impressive little cook and baker over the last year). So I cut a piece of that and sat down to watch the last of the 4PM football games on redzone. I took a bite of his cake and a sip of their beer and it was transformed.
The peanut butter brought out such a nice flavor and chocolate warmth in the beer. If you still have some left and have a Reese peanut butter cup hanging around try a nice pairing!
3.5 out of 5 Bundt cakes.
Very nice beer. Refreshing for a dark beer, and flavorful for a lager. Reminds me of a German Schwarzbier. Whatever they were trying for, it is a good session winter beer in my opinion.
ReplyDeleteI think this is my favorite so far this year. I often have the devil's backbone schwartz bier on hand but I think I like this one better. I believe I had a crowler of this back in the spring or summer, or maybe it was a sixer. Anyways I wish I had another. Drank it while smoking a chicken on the grill. Paired nicely with the apple wood smoke in the air. 5/5 succulent birds.
ReplyDeleteBlack Lagers are a good set...thought this one seemed a bit mild but really like Black Flag as a brewery. Was a great addition to Columbia
ReplyDeleteI was playing catch and drank this one after having the dragon's milk and therefore seemed very tame. Also, I needed a nap. I have had this one before and remember liking it very much. I think I need to try it again.
ReplyDeleteGreg -- I found this underwhelming and a bit disappointing. My wife did too; she actually didn't finish her half, which is rare. I do admit to the psychological effects from switching from Siren Noire and Dragon's Milk to this, but I think it was a bit insipid with weak malt flavors and not much else. I finished mine, but I won't be seeking out more.
ReplyDeleteA day late and a dollar short. Story of my life. I tend to like black lagers. Definitely better than regular lagers. I thought Ro would like it since it's pretty malty for a lager. But it does have some coffee notes that Ro picked up on and I like but she hates all things coffee flavored. Two straight solid Black Flags (in reverse order)! I don't get the name. Is this some sailing reference or are they trying to steal some can art from Heavy Seas. I'll overlook that. 3.75 out of 5 creepy pirate skeletons.
ReplyDeletePerfect winter day drinker - just roasty enough, in the 5% range, and not overly bitter or overly heavy. I could happily sit around a fire pit and drink a few of these. Maybe roast some marshmallows or snack on some smoked meat stuffs.
ReplyDeleteBlack lagers > light lagers. I don’t think I need to say much else.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed this one outdoors on a wonderful outing, and I drank it out of a non-glass cup so I really could not see it. From the taste, not sure I would have realized it was a black lager. I really liked the flavor, and the fact that it was not too heavy. Agree with the comment above that this would go well with roasted marshmallows.
ReplyDeleteI think Black Flag is the best local brewery around, and this just cements my opinion. 4/5 concrete shoes from me.