Rio Salado DoppelSchwarz
Rio Salado Brewing Company

7.51% abv according to the label. It pours an opaque black body topped by a huge, densely foamy tan head that holds exceptionally well and leaves rings of Brussels lace throughout the glass. The aroma offers a just-barely-roasty and lightly bittersweet chocolate maltiness but little else - still, this is appropriate for the schwarzbier style! The body is medium/full with a smooth and creamy mouthfeel from a very fine, mid-level carbonation. The flavor is richly malty, expressing light chocolate, a clear munich-malt character, and some toastiness, and caramel as it warms. A supportive bitterness and some limited spicy hop flavor helps to keeps the maltiness in check; and it finishes dry with a touch of sweet chocolate & caramel, a lingering nuttiness, and mild background roastiness. Very nicely done and fairly unique. Quite impressive! Well worth seeking out!

Pours black, with a light tan head -- creamy and thick. Aroma is malty, though I seemed to pick up a bit of a yeasty smell on this particular drink as well. Flavor is rich and malty, with slight hints of chocolate but not too sweet. Hops are noticeable, and contribute to a fairly dry, crisp finish. Very smooth, very drinkable beer.

This was the special beer on tap when I visited in September 02 -- they called it their Anniversary beer. A notched-up version of their full-season Schwarz beer, this is just about one of the darkest lagers you'll find -- teetering on the edge of a bock, though a little lighter-bodied and less sweet.