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Buyer's Guide for Beer Lovers

Lagers

Not Your Grandfather’s Lager

Black/Schwarz Beer

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

95 Premium Black Lager, Privat Brauerei Bischoff (Germany). 5.2% ABV (10/10)
Ruby brown color. Aromas of lemon gelato, raisin scone, and dried peach with a supple, frothy medium-to-full body and a sweet grain, honey roasted nut, and delicate spicy hop finish. Delicious and super drinkable.

91 Chatoe Dirtoir Black Lager, Rogue Ales (OR). 6% ABV (10/10)
Opaque brown black color with a light brown head. Rich, tangy, dark roasted and caramelized nut and chocolate aromas with a vibrant, plush dryish medium-full body and a long, dimensional walnut, dried meat, chocolate covered espresso bean,lemon souffle, and earthy hop finish. Nicely complex, evolving and rather stout-like.

90 Shiner Bohemian Black Lager, Spoetzl Brewery (TX). 4.9% ABV (10/10)
Brown black color. Rich coffee, jerky, toffee and caramel apple aromas with a supple, frothy dry-yet-fruity medium body and a crisp dark roasted nut and dried pear, lemon zest, and mineral accented finish. A nicely balanced black lager that will shine with grilled sausages, spicy wings, and other pub grub.

90 Samuel Adams Black Lager, The Boston Beer Co. (MA). 4.9% ABV (10/10)
Brown color. Butter dark nut brittle and mocha soufflé aromas and flavors with a silky soft dryish medium body and a long, tangy dried fruit and straw-like hop finish. Very tasty and balanced.

89 Black Art Dark , Braustolz (Germany). 4.9% ABV (11/09)
Deep copper mahogany color. Aromas of fresh roasted buttered pistachios and melted baker’s chocolate follow through on soft, supple entry to a creamy dryish medium-to-full body with a hint of dried fowl and roasted root vegetables. Finishes with a comforting, warming fade of cocoa, pepper, and mild earthy, hay-like hops. A well made food beer.

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?

81 Cusqueña Malta Lager, Unica de Cervecerias Peruanas Backus y Johnston S.A.A. (Peru). 5.6% ABV (10/10)
Opaque brown Sweet chocolate raisin and cherry aromas and flavors with an applesauce finish. Confected. More of a milk stout.

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