Bitting's Black Magic
Woodbridge Brewing Company

Beer Geek Stats
From:
Woodbridge Brewing Company
 
New Jersey, United States
Style:
Schwarzbier
ABV:
4.8%
Score:
Needs more ratings
Avg:
4.07 | pDev: 7.13%
Reviews:
4
Ratings:
5
Status:
Retired
Rated:
Aug 05, 2014
Added:
Jun 18, 2004
Wants:
  0
Gots:
  0
No description / notes.
Recent ratings and reviews.
Ratings by yelterdow:
Photo of yelterdow
Reviewed by yelterdow from New Jersey

4.15/5  rDev +2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
What a pleasant surprise to find this on tap this weekend. It isn't often that one comes across a Schwarzbier in the first place, nevermind brewed fresh in our own back yard! Jersey's definitely got it good... especially you Woodbridge area folks....

Purchased a growler ($11.95 initially, $8.95 refills) to share and convince some bud-can friends at a party that beer is not just for pounding and getting hammered. I explained how lucky they are to have this kind of freshness and quality a block away from their house, and sure enough, this was a hit.... along with Bitting's Raspberry Wheat, of course. The women loved that one especially.

Appearance- The "Black Magic" schwarzbier poured with a better-than-expected thick, tan head that popped and fizzed beautifully. Head retention was excellent, even two days after initially opening the growler. That is almost unheard of.

Smell- Bold, fresh dark roasted coffee beans with a suggestion of burnt chocolate. Very fresh and expressive.

Taste/Mouthfeel/Drinkability- Solid beer, the roasted coffee dominating the tongue with a subtle malt character. Medium weight in the mouth, and a smooth easy drinkability. I hope this remains on J.J. Bitting's roster all year long, as it could bring more people into the exciting world of non-traditional craft beers. Very well done.
Jun 15, 2005
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 3.75 by ArtZan from New Jersey

Aug 05, 2014
Photo of jwc215
Reviewed by jwc215 from Arizona

4.52/5  rDev +11.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5
Poured from tap - very black - head was tan, but nearly non-existed (I had two, and my friend had two - two of them did not even have a lacing). The color was great - the head/lacing disappointing.
It had a nice blend of aromas - caramel, toffee, chocolate and coffee all mixed together. The aroma was quite robust for this style.
The taste was very well-balanced. Chocolate-like coffee and caramel intermingled. It was like a good porter taste in a lager. The hops were noticeable, offsetting the sweetness, but distant, so it wasn't too bitter. Nice balance of sweet and bitter flavors.
The mouthfeel was incredible! It was silky smooth.
This is an excellent example of this style. It was dark and complex in the form of a lager. If you are in the area, it's worthwhile to stop in for this!
May 15, 2006
Photo of EPseja
Reviewed by EPseja from New Jersey

4.17/5  rDev +2.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Served in a tulip tasting glass at fridge temperature, poured from a recently purchased growler.

A - Dark, mocha brown. Good head to start, but dissapates quickly. Nothing fantastic.

S - Burnt chocoloate and overroasted coffee. Big maltiness. Hops present only a phantom presence.

T - Quite mild tasting considering the huge smell. Comes into the mouth very watery, like a weak coffee. The middle brings some coffee sweetness and wispy smokiness. The aftertaste is where it's at with this beer. Burnt coffee tones and dark pumpernickel bread notes swell up and linger for quite a good long time.

M - Decent, adequate carbonation albeit a little watery in consistency. Good for beer from a growler.

D - The watery consistency of this beer makes it very easy to drink considering the depth of character.

A very nice, well rounded offering from the legendary J. J. Bitting.
Jun 16, 2005
Photo of RonfromJersey
Reviewed by RonfromJersey from New Jersey

3.76/5  rDev -7.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
This one's for Todd.

Deep black body topped by a good finger of flat taple top creamy tight tan head. Some lacing.

Bit of roasted coffee note in a low key nose.

Roast malt start, followed by a nice smack of herbal hops, which linger on while the malt finishes clean.

Good body. Slick, but not oily. Very nicely drinkable.

And $2 for the pint.

A pleasant surprise on the menu, and a nice example of an all too uncommon style.
Jun 18, 2004
Bitting's Black Magic from Woodbridge Brewing Company
Beer rating: 4.07 out of 5 with 5 ratings