Buyer's Guide for Beer Lovers

Lagers

Lagers Get Some Love

Black Beer

Originally brewed in Thuringia, a state in eastern Germany, these lager-style brews were known to be darker 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 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 (11/10)
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 Leavenworth Bakke Hill Black Lager, Fish Brewing Co. (WA). 5% ABV (11/11)
Almost opaque brown black color. Zesty citrus peel and chocolate caramel apple aromas with a supple, fruity-yet-dry medium-to-full body and a tangy, mocha nut brittle, and peppery radicchio and Meyer lemon like hop finish. An excellent beer for the table.

90 Shiner Bohemian Black Lager, Spoetzl Brewery (TX). 4.9% ABV (11/10)
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 Chatoe Rogue Dirtoir Black Lager, Rogue Ales (OR). 4.6% ABV (11/11)
Opaque brown black color with a unique reddish manila head. Bold chocolate covered espresso bean and dried Virginia ham aromas with a soft, supple, dry-yet-fruity medium body and a dusty charred chestnut, dried apple and balsamic vinaigrette on arugula like finish. Very interesting.

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.

89 Samuel Adams Black Lager, The Boston Beer Co. (MA). 4.9% ABV (11/11)
Deep russet brown color. Mild aromas of cocoa powder on nuts, dried fruit and a hint of sweaty blue cheese. Soft and silky with a dryish light-to-medium body and a breezy, mocha yogurt, praline and kiwi finish.

86 Black Beer, Zeos Brewing Company (Greece). 5% ABV (11/11)
Deep russet brown color. Bright aromas of melted toffee, vanilla cake, and cherry bon bons with a fruity-yet-dry medium body and a tangy, dried peach, wet granite and pepper-dusted jicama finish.

84 Ugly Pug Black Lager, Rahr & Sons Brewing Co. (TX). 4.5% ABV (11/11)
Deep brown color with an olive cast. Aromas of roasted nuts, dried pear, and a hint of coffee with a slightly sour dry light-to-medium body and a nutshell, bean and yeasty bread dough-accented finish.

84 Cusqueña Malta Lager, Unión de Cervecerias Peruanas Backus y Johnston S.A.A. (Peru). 5.6% ABV (11/11)
Rich russet brown color. Sweet aromas of vanilla-pineapple yogurt and nut coffee cake with a supple, fruity medium body and a breezy peach buttercream, praline, and chocolate mango shake finish. A fun, fruity carefree dark lager.

81 Cusqueña Malta Lager, Unión de Cervecerias Peruanas Backus y Johnston S.A.A. (Peru). 5.6% ABV (11/10)
Opaque brown Sweet chocolate raisin and cherry aromas and flavors with an apple sauce finish. Confected. More of a milk stout.

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