Schwarzbier
Hereford & Hops Restaurant & Brewpub

 

On-tap at the brewpub: Dark cola black with a thinning red hue around the edges. Thin and stable off-tanned rocky head of froth sits atop and hardly ever moves, even while consumed by hungry, thirsty, desparate beasts such as myself on this day. Lacing seems to stick in a precarious leaf-like fashion.

Aroma is not much to speak (or smell) of, but is pretty clean and respectful with a solid showing of a black malt base. Tender and sweet with a simple little roast hint. Baked red apples dart across with some noting.

Flavors are good with the black malt taking full control allowing a light frothy body and simple sweetened edge to play under the medium roasted blackened malt. Not super tangy nor chocolatey. But it does have a bit of both emerging in different areas as it sits. Chocolate/cocoa tends to win out more towards the finish with a soft lingering dryness. The tangyness is whats left behind late.

Feel is adequate, if not all together, in harmony with the flavors, at first, it seemed a bit empty and plain with just a nudge of malt and roast, but as it warmed this truly entered into its own bringing a more substantiated character. Surely it should not have been served in a frosted/chilled pint glass.

Smooth and easy, with just the right amount of everything (once it warmed) to make this a pretty solid offering as a Schwarzbier; and damn drinkable too.