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Buyer's Guide for Beer Lovers

All The World's a Stage for Lagers

All the World's a Stage for Lagers

Black Beer/Schwarz

Originally brewed in Thuringia, a state in eastern Germany, these lager -style brews were known to be darker in color than their Munich counterparts. Often relatively full-bodied, rarely under 5 percent ABV, these beers classically feature a bitter chocolate, roasted malt note and a rounded character. Hop accents are generally low. This obscure style was picked up by Japanese brewers and is made in small quantities by all of Japan’s major brewers. Schwarz beers are not often attempted by U.S. craft brewers.

Interpreting the 100-point Scale

Consumers can translate the point score to the following quality bands:

Point Range Quality Band
96-100 points Platinum
90-95 points Gold
85-90 points Silver
80-84 points Bronze
Less than 80 Not Recommended
Legend
  • = Brewpub
  • ABV = Alcohol by volume
  • Date denotes the date on which the beer was tasted

92 Samuel Adams Black Lager, The Boston Beer Co. (MA). 4.9% ABV (11/09)
Dark chestnut brown color. Aromas of toasted pumpernickel and dried ham follow through on a supple, smooth entry to a creamy carbonated dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body with dark roasted nuts and cocoa notes. Finishes with a long, sweet and savory mocha-like fade with mild earthy hops in support. Pair with a Rueben sandwich.

86 Black’s Beach Extra Dark Schwartz Beer, Karl Strauss Brewing Co. (CA). 4.4% ABV (11/07)
Opaque muddy brown color. Dense aromas of baker’s chocolate, burnt sugar, nougat and baking spice. A supple entry leads to a round, velvety and dry, pleasantly bitter medium-to-full body of cocoa, dark roasted nuts, dark brown sugar and snappy soy notes with a crisp, nutty dried citrus and cocoa fade. A nice food beer; try with beef teriyaki.

85 Shikkoku, Coedo Brewery (Japan). 5% ABV (2/07)
Deep dark brown. Dry nutty, burnt sugar and nut aromas and flavors with a mineral/metallic hop fade.

84 Slam Dunkel, Fox River Brewing (WI). 5.2% ABV (10/07)
Dark black brown color. Mild burnt coffee and nutshell aromas follow through to a brisk, dry, medium body with a singed citrus and buttery burnt sugar fade.

82 Cusqueña Malta, Cerveceria Backus Y Johnston (Peru). 5.6% ABV (11/09)
Deep muddy brown color with a reddish cast. Aromas of nuts and shells and tobacco ash follow through on a soft, brisk entry to a sweet medium body with pronounced brown sugar and candied fruit flavors and slate-like mineral notes on the breezy, ash, barley cereal and after-dinner mint finish. Quite sweet, maybe with cigars?

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