Schell's Chimney Sweep
August Schell Brewing Company

Schell's Chimney SweepSchell's Chimney Sweep
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From:
August Schell Brewing Company
 
Minnesota, United States
Style:
Schwarzbier
ABV:
5.2%
Score:
84
Avg:
3.73 | pDev: 13.14%
Reviews:
55
Ratings:
200
Status:
Retired
Rated:
Oct 17, 2021
Added:
Nov 16, 2012
Wants:
  2
Gots:
  33
Dark and mysterious, with an intriguing wisp of smoke, a chimney sweep has long been considered a source of good luck. Schell’s Chimney Sweep draws its inspiration from these lucky individuals and the rich dark lagers of Upper Franconia in Germany. Expect a black lager with a roasty maltiness, sturdy hop bitterness and an underlying subtle smokiness.

31 IBU
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by Taybeh:
Photo of Taybeh
Reviewed by Taybeh from Minnesota

3.87/5  rDev +3.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
From a single into an imperial pint glass

A: dark mahogany with ruby at the edges when held to the light; 1 finger khaki head
S: toasted grain, lager yeast, a hint of smokey meats
T: Like the nose, though there's also an edge of grassy hops toward the end, and there's a bit of dark fruit and caramel malt in the middle; the smokiness isn't too strong, but it is present from the middle of the mouthful all the way through the end. The grain notes that I get from most of Schell's beers is here throughout, but it isn't working to pull everything together quite as well (for me) with the other flavors as it does in other beers.
M: medium to low carbonation, a little flat despite the faint hoppy zest that gives the mouthful an edge. About right, for style, in terms of chewiness.

overall: this has all the elements, some of which are emphasized just right, but... the way it all adds up leaves me wanting something to be a little different. I did it side by side with the Bauhaus Schwarz, which doesn't have as much smokiness and has more mellow chocolate, which I preferred a bit. In the right mood, this is a solid choice and I don't turn it down.
Jan 16, 2015
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 3.79 by LesDewitt4beer from Minnesota

Oct 17, 2021
 
Rated: 2.71 by achepil from Canada (ON)

Mar 19, 2018
 
Rated: 3.69 by Nolster from Minnesota

May 15, 2017
 
Rated: 3.7 by Demi from Minnesota

Nov 12, 2016
 
Rated: 3.64 by spointon from Illinois

Aug 28, 2016
 
Rated: 3.78 by Squire from Mississippi

May 22, 2016
 
Rated: 3.69 by Dave2234 from Minnesota

Feb 26, 2016
 
Rated: 4.45 by Cholinger10 from South Dakota

Feb 09, 2016
Photo of JohnnyLaw
Rated by JohnnyLaw from Wisconsin

3.88/5  rDev +4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Nice dark lager. Balanced taste.
Jan 24, 2016
 
Rated: 3.68 by MrUse from Minnesota

Jan 20, 2016
 
Rated: 4.69 by ta_hagen from Minnesota

Jan 16, 2016
Photo of Schimms
Reviewed by Schimms from Minnesota

4.38/5  rDev +17.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
L: Pours dark reddish brown with white head.

S: Mostly roast

T: Slightly sweet with more of the roasted smell coming to fruition. Carmel in the middle. More predominant sweet at the end - almost like prunes. Some hops

F: Medium body with dry finish.

O: Very good dark lager. Schell's is always a very solid choice. Chimney Sweep is no exception. Very well balanced - the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.
Dec 31, 2015
 
Rated: 3.98 by JeffSK from Wisconsin

Dec 30, 2015
 
Rated: 4.15 by DissentFatsquirrel from Minnesota

Dec 26, 2015
 
Rated: 3.75 by Josholson666 from Minnesota

Dec 18, 2015
 
Rated: 3.28 by nuebs from South Dakota

Dec 11, 2015
 
Rated: 3.79 by wisrarebeer from Wisconsin

Dec 08, 2015
Photo of maedhros09
Reviewed by maedhros09 from Minnesota

3.72/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Look: dark transparent brown with big 2-3 finger tan head and a bit of lacing Smell: Roasty
Taste: rich roasty flavors, much like a porter, with a definite acidic tang in the finish. Not much hops to speak of.
Feel: Medium body, average mouthfeel. I feel like schells beers tend not to be quite as smooth in the mouthfeel as others from the same style.

Overall: If I had blind tasted this I would have thought I it was a porter. perhaps the malt flavors were a touch cleaner than with an ale but it's hard to tell the difference. Only the acidity in the finish gave me some pause. - it "sours" an otherwise great experience.
Dec 03, 2015
 
Rated: 3.89 by ParnellJoseph1138 from Minnesota

Nov 30, 2015
Schell's Chimney Sweep from August Schell Brewing Company
Beer rating: 84 out of 100 with 200 ratings