The Black Lager
Silversmith Brewing Company

The Black LagerThe Black Lager
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From:
Silversmith Brewing Company
 
Ontario, Canada
Style:
Schwarzbier
Ranked #48
ABV:
5%
Score:
87
Ranked #15,528
Avg:
3.9 | pDev: 10%
Reviews:
26
Ratings:
90
Status:
Active
Rated:
Feb 12, 2024
Added:
Oct 29, 2012
Wants:
  6
Gots:
  20
No description / notes.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by RoamingGnome:
Photo of RoamingGnome
Rated by RoamingGnome from Wisconsin

3.75/5  rDev -3.8%

Sep 14, 2014
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 3.86 by Porphyry from California

Feb 12, 2024
 
Rated: 4.12 by Mxsluis from Michigan

Sep 22, 2023
 
Rated: 4.87 by Capt_Loomis from Florida

Jul 18, 2022
 
Rated: 4.03 by garthbrennan from Tennessee

Jul 07, 2022
Photo of TheHammer
Reviewed by TheHammer from Canada (ON)

4.03/5  rDev +3.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Appearance: Poured with a thumb of head that retained well enough and did offer a decent amount of lace. The body is as black as night, of which nothing can penetrate, which for a beer called "The Black Lager" had better be.

Smell: There's a peculiar moss note I pickup on the nose which is a bit interesting, with notes of dark chocolate, coffee and burnt toffee malt. It did need quite a bit of warming to present itself though.

Taste: Starts with an expertly roast toffee malt that perfectly straddles a fine line giving it a hint of smoke while not coming off as burnt. The beer then turns to dark chocolate, with a hint of licorice, and a touch of mild tobacco that somehow manages to not come off as overly bitter as a touch of that moss and some interest doughiness comes out at the end. This is a weird construction, but a very interesting one.

Mouthfeel: The transitioning is great, and how the heck it walks that fine line is worth some extra points too. The carbonation is great as well, offering a sudsy experience that normally you don't see with dark lager, as it tends towards more aggressive carbonation. That may be what's reigning this in and tying it together. The aftertaste is a generally nice mix but seems to favor the dark chocolate and licorice, but you get the other notes. Only downside is a bit of weird dry cling, but it's minor.

Drinkability: Medium bodied but surprisingly refreshing despite it's flavor profile and interesting. Honestly, I think that it's so easy to drink is what is causing that aftertaste to cling as it's going down too fast. Carbonation is good, but could settle down a bit better. Still solid stuff.

Final Thoughts: I know this doesn't sound appealing, but I think this beer had made me understand the desire to chain smoke a bit more. I think that slight smoke just makes it more desired to be pursued, and that it has all those typically big bitter flavors reigned in lighter manner really is what lets this beer offer a unique appeal. Certainly worth a try if you see it. Thumbs up.
Jun 11, 2022
Photo of PHWharton
Reviewed by PHWharton from New Jersey

5/5  rDev +28.2%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
Perhaps the best black lager I've ever tasted. Fantastic roasted malt flavor with everything thing else in balance. Like a great porter but with a clean lager finish.
Jun 02, 2022
Photo of Tony787
Reviewed by Tony787 from Canada (ON)

4.13/5  rDev +5.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
I bought a 473ml can at the lcbo in Ontario poured a 1finger creamy head into glass
Dark black color left a lace as you drink it very smooth dark malts a little coffee taste but mostly that refreshing lager.
the black lager
not much bitterness.
overall a very enjoyable and delicious black lager beer .
well done
cheers.
Feb 12, 2021
Photo of Larryfunnell
Reviewed by Larryfunnell from Canada (ON)

4.24/5  rDev +8.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
Pours nice and dark, with a brownish head that declines quickly. The beer has a bit of tartness to it, but overall is balanced nicely with no harsh aftertaste. A bonus is the 5% alcohol, which isn't too strong. A good winter beer.
Oct 17, 2020
 
Rated: 4.48 by Namwobius from Canada (ON)

Jul 30, 2020
 
Rated: 4.14 by The-Jolly-Imbiber from Antarctica

Jul 07, 2020
Photo of DonBowman
Rated by DonBowman from Pennsylvania

3.94/5  rDev +1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
True to form with lots of roasted flavors.
Jun 25, 2019
 
Rated: 3.84 by 4ster from Canada (ON)

Jun 16, 2019
 
Rated: 3.92 by MattDecker from Texas

Apr 05, 2019
Photo of Mysticmage
Reviewed by Mysticmage from Canada (ON)

3.94/5  rDev +1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
sampled at the Brewer. Pours jet black and lush with decent collar. Nose is coffee and moss with cream undertones, taste is very smooth and takes ya back if expecting a stout feel. Crisp, clean, full bodied, this is worth a trip.
Mar 13, 2019
 
Rated: 3.45 by quadmad from Canada (ON)

Dec 09, 2018
 
Rated: 4.03 by AC-Mivsek from Ohio

Oct 24, 2018
Photo of StonedTrippin
Reviewed by StonedTrippin from Colorado

4.04/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
a seriously high quality schwarzbier, one of the best i have had in a long time, really well made, and my first beer from these guys, who now have me pretty inspired. its more or less traditional, but there are some cool elements here, one of which is the appearance, which gives rise to a tall grayish tan head above a thinner porter colored brew, lace as it drinks down, real pretty from the bottle. aroma and flavor of unbrewed but fresh ground high end coffee beans, dry cocoa powder, dry almost smoked black malt, a german yeast but really fresh compared to the imports, and a level of depth that is unrivaled in the style, this is anything but one dimensional. i like that it still has some european flare to the yeast, but is more grounded by the grain then anything else, subtle licorice, tobacco, and char, but its not real bitter, clean in the finish too, tons of character from the malt, and really perfect for the first day that really feels like fall outside after a long hot summer. i thought this was awesome, especially from a brewery i have never heard of before. the best take on the style i have had in longer than i can remember, and definitely underrated here...
Sep 07, 2018
Photo of Beginner2
Reviewed by Beginner2 from Illinois

3.9/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.25
Black Lager is the flagship of one of four breweries in a town of 17,312. That strikes me as a happy ratio. And beer is hardly the focus for the town is noted for its wine and Shaw Festival. Seems like an interesting place... and it is.

Black Lager Looks the part, opaque and came with a fluffy white head. Smells mostly of dark malt and bitter hops. Tastes the same, albeit a bit fruity and full for a lager. While refreshing, its bitter stays a bit longer than I prefer.

OA: I'd like to return to Niagara On The Lake and have this very local beer again.
Aug 13, 2018
 
Rated: 3.49 by Glorithm from Canada (ON)

Aug 06, 2018
The Black Lager from Silversmith Brewing Company
Beer rating: 87 out of 100 with 90 ratings