Black Widow Lager
John Harvard's Brewery & Ale House

 

 

 

 

 

 

Had in the sampler in Framingham. The drink had a dark brown appearance with a slight amber hint in the light. A decently frothy head. Smoked aromas permeated from the drink with malts and bready aspects also prevalent. Pretty, wicked sweet for my tastes. Mix of cocoa, malt, vanilla, sugar, cinnamon. Solid, creamy body; was a pretty good light desert. Overall, the best thing I had when I was there.

served in a pint glass from the tap at the brewpub

A- black as night yet no head as the pour was meant to leave the least amount of foam in the glass

S- not to much nose on this beer but what i got was some nice hops

T- excellent perfectly balanced smooth and clean with just enough complexity to make it interesting

M- light as a swartz should be very nice

D- a very drinkable beer of a very drinkable style if I did not have to drive I would of had a few of these

A - very very black, with a diluted engine grease colored head that laces quickly

S -this Harvard brew smells very malty with shapr espresso highlights, a less complicated aroma than i expected but pleasant

T - tastes great, a well balanced lager, its a refreshing bitter with a sneaking sweetness to it, a great smooth finish, at the last moment i detect a licorice flavor, ahh thats what it was all along

M - a smooth drink it doesnt coat but slides down easily

D - moderate drinkability, sharp and bitter, but very smooth

dark, amber see-thru towards the end of the pint. khaki crown, bubbly and rich with sheets of lacing left behind. served too cold... warmth brings some banana esters backing up a depth of sweet and roasty malts. earthy and essential. mouthfeel is light and body is just medium enough to make it feel good going down while facilitating drinkability. starts with a brief crisp tartness that leaves some initial emptiness in the flavor but morphs into creamy, subtle coffee with less noticeable yellow monkey fruit. finishes with a charred, hoppy note and satisfies wonderfully. usually, schwarz's aim too high, this maintains big flavor while allowing for multiple unit consumption. not the best ever but for j.h.'s this is a great local achievement.

Appearance was a pure black color with a nice tan head that left a nice lacing around the glass.

Smell was all malts. Some nice roasted aromas can also be detected in the background. Some light hop aromas, but not much and really doesn't make a difference.

Taste was good. Rich roasted malts all around and a big aftertaste that lasted a long time. Some undertones of chocolate and hops come in the middle and end.

Mouthfeel was about medium considering it had a rich texture to it. A pint was enough for me, having a second would of been tough to do. But a very tasty brew and worth a try for sure.

One of the only brews I get at Harvards, recently had it glass after glass with a friend who was moving away to PA. A very nice beer to look at, muddy black with medium cream head. Very smooth down. I must get back there when they have something on cask.

Very tasty looking. Deep black, showing ruby red through light, with a light fluff of bone white head riding atop.
Aroma is malty, with solid roastiness, mild hopping and that clean lagery aroma. Some black patent malt in there, to spice things up.
Flavor is rich and roasty, with a hint of plum, perhaps. Hops are present only at the very end, lending a light sharpness to the finish. Balance is great, body is fairly light. Carbonation is definitely in full effect, yo. Lots of burps.