Saranac Black Lager
Matt Brewing Company / Saranac Brewery

Saranac Black LagerSaranac Black Lager
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From:
Matt Brewing Company / Saranac Brewery
 
New York, United States
Style:
Schwarzbier
Ranked #140
ABV:
5.5%
Score:
78
Ranked #26,986
Avg:
3.36 | pDev: 14.88%
Reviews:
66
Ratings:
106
Status:
Active
Rated:
Jul 06, 2022
Added:
Oct 07, 2009
Wants:
  1
Gots:
  8
No description / notes.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by airheadmtrcycle:
Photo of airheadmtrcycle
Reviewed by airheadmtrcycle from Georgia

4.26/5  rDev +26.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
I picked up a winter sampler from Saranac for around $14 at Hop City. I was looking for a sampler. The friendly, knowledgeable beer geek employee told me it's a great selection of winter beers. It looked really interesting. For the record this is my first Saranac and my first schwarzbier. I like the label with a big black bear in the foreground of a snowy, rocky mountain landscape.

Pours almost black, but held to the light it is a dark red and transparent. The head is 2 fingers thick. It fades to a film and leaves nice lacing. Damn good looking beer.

Aromas of roasted malt and bread. Pretty strong aromas too. Not complex, but very inviting. The taste is deliciously malty with a slight bitter finish that stays with you. The hops are easily detectable. Saranac Black Lager matches the description of schwarzbier here on BA perfectly. It's refreshing yet you feel like you are drinking something substantial. This beer goes down easily, perhaps one of the most sessionable I've had.

I don't want to go overboard, but I really like this beer. Moreover, it seems to be a perfect interpretation of its style. I'm not going to hold back on my rating.
Jan 15, 2011
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 3.54 by DarrellK from Florida

Jul 06, 2022
 
Rated: 5 by MeatballExpress from Pennsylvania

Jan 14, 2021
 
Rated: 3.36 by logicalparadox from New York

Sep 11, 2016
Photo of rodbeermunch
Reviewed by rodbeermunch from Nevada

2.45/5  rDev -27.1%
look: 3 | smell: 2.25 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.25 | overall: 2.5
Comes in dark colored with brown and crimson hues. Aroma was earthy and reeked of alcohol despite a relatively low abv.

Taste is much like every other Saranac brew, similar yeast no matter what style, a general lack of malt or hops depending on style. A lot of earthy English toffee and tea malt notes, sawdust, wood, rubbing alcohol.

Needs more hopping for schwarz style.
Jun 30, 2016
 
Rated: 3.27 by Vt_beer_sampler from Vermont

Jul 03, 2015
 
Rated: 2.76 by Phigg1102 from New York

Dec 08, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by AlvinLin from New York

Jul 28, 2014
 
Rated: 3 by HRamz3 from Pitcairn

Jul 25, 2014
 
Rated: 4.25 by speedball33 from Pennsylvania

Jul 23, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by bigeyedfish89 from Maryland

Jan 02, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by TheBeerdedCharmer from Pennsylvania

Dec 02, 2013
 
Rated: 3.5 by chrishiker1409 from New York

Oct 24, 2013
 
Rated: 3 by Cooker_stp from New York

Aug 18, 2013
 
Rated: 3.25 by ChipMurray from Pennsylvania

Aug 17, 2013
 
Rated: 3.5 by lovindahops from New York

Jul 28, 2013
 
Rated: 4 by kb2250 from New Jersey

Apr 21, 2013
 
Rated: 2.75 by DaKur from Rhode Island

Feb 16, 2013
 
Rated: 2.75 by AngusOg from North Carolina

Feb 05, 2013
 
Rated: 3.75 by phishbone23 from New York

Jan 25, 2013
Saranac Black Lager from Matt Brewing Company / Saranac Brewery
Beer rating: 78 out of 100 with 106 ratings