Das Kleine Schwarz Einhorn | 3 Floyds Brewing Co.
Brewed by:
3 Floyds Brewing Co.
Indiana, United States
3floyds.com
Style: Schwarzbier
Alcohol by volume (ABV): 5.50%
Availability: Rotating
Notes / Commercial Description:
Ever seen a unicorn? How about a baby German one that's not white, but black? Well now is your chance to let one merrily prance across your pallet. This black German-style session lager is refreshing, crisp and mystically intriguing with its maltiness.
23 IBU
Added by MasterSki on 01-17-2012
View: Beers | Place Reviews | Events
Reviews: 19 | Ratings: 130
3.62/5 rDev -11.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Dark brown in color.
Roasted malts with some coffee notes. Smokey with bacon flavors. Some chocolate and caramel.
Medium bodied. Dry and roasted feel.
Decent, but it's tough to drink a lot of this one.
★ 204 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Dark brown in color.
Roasted malts with some coffee notes. Smokey with bacon flavors. Some chocolate and caramel.
Medium bodied. Dry and roasted feel.
Decent, but it's tough to drink a lot of this one.
★ 204 characters
3.5/5 rDev -14.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Appearance: Dark muddy brown in my generic pint glass at a local Beef O’Brady’s, with a light head of tan. Thin, wispy lace.
Aroma: Caramel malty. A little toasty with some almost roasty malts.
Taste: Caramel, chewy, with notes of roasted chocolate malts. Not much hoppiness evident here, but this is a rich and full-bodied ale that’s not bad at all and easy to drink. Solid, if unremarkable.
★ 400 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Appearance: Dark muddy brown in my generic pint glass at a local Beef O’Brady’s, with a light head of tan. Thin, wispy lace.
Aroma: Caramel malty. A little toasty with some almost roasty malts.
Taste: Caramel, chewy, with notes of roasted chocolate malts. Not much hoppiness evident here, but this is a rich and full-bodied ale that’s not bad at all and easy to drink. Solid, if unremarkable.
★ 400 characters
3.44/5 rDev -15.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
Was excited to have a beer brewed by the first female FFF brewer and also carries Martellus Bennet’s nickname! On draft at FFF brewpub and served in a dimpled mug. Appearance is clear, dark brown with reddish highlights that show through when held up to Finding Nemo which is playing behind my sister. A two-finger tan head collapses pretty quickly to a cap and leaves a minimal amount of lacing. Aroma is roasty malt, brown bread, sugar that hints at caramel. Taste is malt sweetness with toasty and nutty notes. Some wisps of cocoa and bread crust. A light roasty and leafy bitterness comes on the swallow. Medium body, thin texture, average carbonation, ashy, bitter but abrupt finish.
★ 690 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
Was excited to have a beer brewed by the first female FFF brewer and also carries Martellus Bennet’s nickname! On draft at FFF brewpub and served in a dimpled mug. Appearance is clear, dark brown with reddish highlights that show through when held up to Finding Nemo which is playing behind my sister. A two-finger tan head collapses pretty quickly to a cap and leaves a minimal amount of lacing. Aroma is roasty malt, brown bread, sugar that hints at caramel. Taste is malt sweetness with toasty and nutty notes. Some wisps of cocoa and bread crust. A light roasty and leafy bitterness comes on the swallow. Medium body, thin texture, average carbonation, ashy, bitter but abrupt finish.
★ 690 characters
4.24/5 rDev +3.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Swung by the brew house for some beer and good times (success in both accounts). Be arrived in a Stein. Poured black as night with reasonable head streaky lacing at best. Nose is spot on. heavily rotated smoked malt, the peat is there but dialed back quite a bit. The flavor is also spot on. One if the best smoked beers i have ever had. Light and easy drinking and not polarizing at all. Just wonderful.
★ 404 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Swung by the brew house for some beer and good times (success in both accounts). Be arrived in a Stein. Poured black as night with reasonable head streaky lacing at best. Nose is spot on. heavily rotated smoked malt, the peat is there but dialed back quite a bit. The flavor is also spot on. One if the best smoked beers i have ever had. Light and easy drinking and not polarizing at all. Just wonderful.
★ 404 characters
4.29/5 rDev +5.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
I had this German raven on tap at the brewpub. Served in a stein with a 2 finger fluffy white/off white foam. Color is licorice black. Smells of a Munich malt and a bit of roast chocolate. Taste is very crisp, not overly sweet. A very nice malty body with a crisp lager finish. A very solid offering. Don't get hung up on IPA or big stouts from this group. They make outstanding beers in lesser sought after styles.
★ 415 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
I had this German raven on tap at the brewpub. Served in a stein with a 2 finger fluffy white/off white foam. Color is licorice black. Smells of a Munich malt and a bit of roast chocolate. Taste is very crisp, not overly sweet. A very nice malty body with a crisp lager finish. A very solid offering. Don't get hung up on IPA or big stouts from this group. They make outstanding beers in lesser sought after styles.
★ 415 characters
3.84/5 rDev -5.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
The Einhorn...or black unicorn is a very nice marzen style beer. The beer poured a nearly opaque black with what light coming through being a reddish hue. There is a white head that is leaving sa lace. The scent and taste carry a fire place like smoke/roast. Almost can be described like burnt pop corn. There is also dark chocolate and maybe a hint of marrichano (sp?) Cherry. Mouthfeel is medium body with good carbonation. Overall this is a great marzen.
★ 457 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
The Einhorn...or black unicorn is a very nice marzen style beer. The beer poured a nearly opaque black with what light coming through being a reddish hue. There is a white head that is leaving sa lace. The scent and taste carry a fire place like smoke/roast. Almost can be described like burnt pop corn. There is also dark chocolate and maybe a hint of marrichano (sp?) Cherry. Mouthfeel is medium body with good carbonation. Overall this is a great marzen.
★ 457 characters
4.79/5 rDev +17.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
Had on Tap at Galway Arms in Chicago.
A) Black with red hue when light is shining on it. Two finger light mocha colored head and lacing.
S) German malts, dark bread, coffee, lagering yeast at the end. Not hoppy at all for a 3F beer.
T) Chocolate, roasted bread, coffee finish, mild hops my guess Hallertau or Saaz?
M) Smooth and thin no bite. Great with a Burger for sure.
O) 3F's second best Lager to Munsterfest. Wish they bottled this one and the chick that brews this is smoking hot.
★ 497 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
Had on Tap at Galway Arms in Chicago.
A) Black with red hue when light is shining on it. Two finger light mocha colored head and lacing.
S) German malts, dark bread, coffee, lagering yeast at the end. Not hoppy at all for a 3F beer.
T) Chocolate, roasted bread, coffee finish, mild hops my guess Hallertau or Saaz?
M) Smooth and thin no bite. Great with a Burger for sure.
O) 3F's second best Lager to Munsterfest. Wish they bottled this one and the chick that brews this is smoking hot.
★ 497 characters
4.73/5 rDev +15.9%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Das Kleine Schwarz Einhorn, aka, Black Unicorn, is a delicious Schwarz. I had it on tap at Acre in Andersonville. One of the best American-made Schwarzbiers--maybe even better than Sprecher Black Bavarian, which has been my standard for years. A great session lager for the cold weather, and unforgettable with my Acre burger.
★ 326 characters
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Das Kleine Schwarz Einhorn, aka, Black Unicorn, is a delicious Schwarz. I had it on tap at Acre in Andersonville. One of the best American-made Schwarzbiers--maybe even better than Sprecher Black Bavarian, which has been my standard for years. A great session lager for the cold weather, and unforgettable with my Acre burger.
★ 326 characters
4.65/5 rDev +14%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
served on-tap @ Big Star, Chicago, IL, into a pilsner glass
Pours a dark brown color swirled with ruby red highlights. It looks like Dr. Pepper, actually. There's a small, fizzy white head here. No real lacing to speak of (I blame the glass).
This beer delivers a big surprise upon first smelling it: this is a Three Floyds beer and it isn't hop-forward! This nose is all about the malts. There's a rich, nutty aroma that structures the whole thing. But on top of that are porter-like roasted notes: chicory, distant coffee.
This is absolutely the best tasting black lager I've ever had. The roast flavors here are deep and satisfying, providing a nice bitterness to contrast with the nutty, toasty malt flavors. Some hints of cherry round the whole thing out. Fantastically balanced and flavorful for a session lager.
Overall this is the best Schawrzbier I've ever had. I wish I could drink this whenever I eat a burger or a steak. Seek this out and have a session with it.
★ 979 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
served on-tap @ Big Star, Chicago, IL, into a pilsner glass
Pours a dark brown color swirled with ruby red highlights. It looks like Dr. Pepper, actually. There's a small, fizzy white head here. No real lacing to speak of (I blame the glass).
This beer delivers a big surprise upon first smelling it: this is a Three Floyds beer and it isn't hop-forward! This nose is all about the malts. There's a rich, nutty aroma that structures the whole thing. But on top of that are porter-like roasted notes: chicory, distant coffee.
This is absolutely the best tasting black lager I've ever had. The roast flavors here are deep and satisfying, providing a nice bitterness to contrast with the nutty, toasty malt flavors. Some hints of cherry round the whole thing out. Fantastically balanced and flavorful for a session lager.
Overall this is the best Schawrzbier I've ever had. I wish I could drink this whenever I eat a burger or a steak. Seek this out and have a session with it.
★ 979 characters
4.2/5 rDev +2.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Enjoyed on my birthday trip to FFF.
Served in a 16oz plastic cup.
This brew is dark brown in color with some red hints when held to the light. A fingers worth of tan head with some sporadic lacing.
The nose is lightly roasted with light coffee and German malts, light cocoa, and a bit of smoke.
The taste is smokey with a nutty malt taste, light cocoa, roasted malts, and coffee.
The mouthfeel is light, crisp, medium bodied and dry.
Overall, interestingly lager that carries similar characteristics as a robust porter.
★ 525 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Enjoyed on my birthday trip to FFF.
Served in a 16oz plastic cup.
This brew is dark brown in color with some red hints when held to the light. A fingers worth of tan head with some sporadic lacing.
The nose is lightly roasted with light coffee and German malts, light cocoa, and a bit of smoke.
The taste is smokey with a nutty malt taste, light cocoa, roasted malts, and coffee.
The mouthfeel is light, crisp, medium bodied and dry.
Overall, interestingly lager that carries similar characteristics as a robust porter.
★ 525 characters
4.08/5 rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Pours standard for a Schwarz, very dark ruby, nearly opaque, with a nice little wisp of a white head.
Smells surprisingly light--nodes of big, burnt malt rub up against some chocoaltely sweetness. It's a nice balance, but pretty standard and faint.
Tastes much bigger and more adventurous. Starts dry and ashen with big, bitter nodes of dark roasted barley. This moves into a warmer, lightly sweeter middle which veers gorgeously into a medium hoppy finish and a wonderful aftertaste of ash and peat. Excellent balance all throughout.
★ 536 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Pours standard for a Schwarz, very dark ruby, nearly opaque, with a nice little wisp of a white head.
Smells surprisingly light--nodes of big, burnt malt rub up against some chocoaltely sweetness. It's a nice balance, but pretty standard and faint.
Tastes much bigger and more adventurous. Starts dry and ashen with big, bitter nodes of dark roasted barley. This moves into a warmer, lightly sweeter middle which veers gorgeously into a medium hoppy finish and a wonderful aftertaste of ash and peat. Excellent balance all throughout.
★ 536 characters
4.23/5 rDev +3.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Basically what I think of a Schwarz right here, nice style hit again by Floyd's. Had on tap at the brewery.
The look is nice, dark brown in hue and has some nice lacing and ring of tan head.
The smell and taste both have a great roasted nut quality to it. A nice almost leathery quality on the palate as well with some nice dark bread notes. Some really nice flavors and aromas here, very malty overall without much hops which I usually expect in FFF.
Feel is medium to thinner, but it's nice and slick over the palate.
Overall another nice beer.
★ 552 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Basically what I think of a Schwarz right here, nice style hit again by Floyd's. Had on tap at the brewery.
The look is nice, dark brown in hue and has some nice lacing and ring of tan head.
The smell and taste both have a great roasted nut quality to it. A nice almost leathery quality on the palate as well with some nice dark bread notes. Some really nice flavors and aromas here, very malty overall without much hops which I usually expect in FFF.
Feel is medium to thinner, but it's nice and slick over the palate.
Overall another nice beer.
★ 552 characters
3.91/5 rDev -4.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Had on tap at the Pub at the University of Chicago. This was served in a large goblet and came out completely black with a light brown head, nice lacing and carbonation. Very smoked malts, even charred, with cocoa and burnt toast at the forefront. Fairly thick mouthfeel, tasty Schwarzbier with a lot to recommend it.
★ 317 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Had on tap at the Pub at the University of Chicago. This was served in a large goblet and came out completely black with a light brown head, nice lacing and carbonation. Very smoked malts, even charred, with cocoa and burnt toast at the forefront. Fairly thick mouthfeel, tasty Schwarzbier with a lot to recommend it.
★ 317 characters
4.25/5 rDev +4.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
Served on tap at Hopleaf.
A: stout like appearance, jet black with shades of brown, velvety brown head, mild lace
S: deep roasted malts, bold coffee, lager yeast, hints of cocoa
T: nice roasty coffee flavors, lots of bitter chocolate, mild hop character, great full flavored lager
Mf: nice body, smooth texture, medium carbonation
O: nice representation of style, tons of flavor, easy drinking.
★ 399 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
Served on tap at Hopleaf.
A: stout like appearance, jet black with shades of brown, velvety brown head, mild lace
S: deep roasted malts, bold coffee, lager yeast, hints of cocoa
T: nice roasty coffee flavors, lots of bitter chocolate, mild hop character, great full flavored lager
Mf: nice body, smooth texture, medium carbonation
O: nice representation of style, tons of flavor, easy drinking.
★ 399 characters
4.1/5 rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 4
On draft at the brewpub. This arrived a very, very dark brown with a one finger soapy head. The aroma consists of smooth and mellow malt sweetness with an ever so slight roast and a touch of minty spice. The flavors are of light chocolate, grains, light roast, and cream. It is exceptionally smooth and sessionable. I really like it. It's definitely a beer you could drink for awhile. Excellent schwarzbier.
★ 407 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 4
On draft at the brewpub. This arrived a very, very dark brown with a one finger soapy head. The aroma consists of smooth and mellow malt sweetness with an ever so slight roast and a touch of minty spice. The flavors are of light chocolate, grains, light roast, and cream. It is exceptionally smooth and sessionable. I really like it. It's definitely a beer you could drink for awhile. Excellent schwarzbier.
★ 407 characters
4.1/5 rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
On-tap at the 3F brewpub. Poured into a dimpled mug.
A- Pours a dark brown with a finger of creamy light tan head.
S- Big malt bomb. Lots of toasty, slightly burnt bread, maybe some chocolate and sugar, I'm definitely getting some hazelnut.
T- In the same vein as the nose, lots of smokey, sweet roasted malts, some more nut flavor. Finishes semi-sweet with mild bitterness. I'm also picking up on a slightly buttery flavor (diacetyl?) like a piece of charred buttery toast.
M- Light to medium bodied, good carbonation, mostly clean finish but leaves a bit of malt texture on the palate.
O- A pretty tasty beer, the malts are huge and very complex. This is definitely worth a shot if you stop by the brewpub.
★ 713 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
On-tap at the 3F brewpub. Poured into a dimpled mug.
A- Pours a dark brown with a finger of creamy light tan head.
S- Big malt bomb. Lots of toasty, slightly burnt bread, maybe some chocolate and sugar, I'm definitely getting some hazelnut.
T- In the same vein as the nose, lots of smokey, sweet roasted malts, some more nut flavor. Finishes semi-sweet with mild bitterness. I'm also picking up on a slightly buttery flavor (diacetyl?) like a piece of charred buttery toast.
M- Light to medium bodied, good carbonation, mostly clean finish but leaves a bit of malt texture on the palate.
O- A pretty tasty beer, the malts are huge and very complex. This is definitely worth a shot if you stop by the brewpub.
★ 713 characters
4.22/5 rDev +3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
On-tap at Hopleaf. Standard pint glass.
A - A light tan foam settles to a thin cap, leaving behind plenty of splotchy lacework. Dark brown body.
S - A great combination of roasted malts, chocolate, yeasty bread, and sugary sweetness. Perhaps a touch of nuttiness. Potent aroma, particularly for only 5.5%. Reminds me a little of Moonlight Death & Taxes.
T - The taste quite similar to the aroma, but there's a touch of chalkiness in the finish that detracts from the enjoyable melange of roast, cocoa, sugar, and bread. There's a low level of roast bitterness that lingers.
M - Dry and roasty texture, medium body, moderate carbonation, and a chewy and mildly sticky finish.
D - I found this to be a stronger offering than 3 Floyds' previous schwarzbier (Ich Bin Schwartz Genüg Für Dich?). I had no problem putting down a pint of this one, and it's a beer I'd happily return to during the course of an evening out.
★ 921 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
On-tap at Hopleaf. Standard pint glass.
A - A light tan foam settles to a thin cap, leaving behind plenty of splotchy lacework. Dark brown body.
S - A great combination of roasted malts, chocolate, yeasty bread, and sugary sweetness. Perhaps a touch of nuttiness. Potent aroma, particularly for only 5.5%. Reminds me a little of Moonlight Death & Taxes.
T - The taste quite similar to the aroma, but there's a touch of chalkiness in the finish that detracts from the enjoyable melange of roast, cocoa, sugar, and bread. There's a low level of roast bitterness that lingers.
M - Dry and roasty texture, medium body, moderate carbonation, and a chewy and mildly sticky finish.
D - I found this to be a stronger offering than 3 Floyds' previous schwarzbier (Ich Bin Schwartz Genüg Für Dich?). I had no problem putting down a pint of this one, and it's a beer I'd happily return to during the course of an evening out.
★ 921 characters
3.88/5 rDev -4.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
On-tap at FFF.
A - Pours a darker brown color, off-white head, thin ring, spotty lace.
S - Very malt-forward, nice toasted bread notes, light caramel, brown sugar. Really nice malty sweetness and light toasted notes...quite excellent.
T - Similar to the taste. Excellent sweet maltiness, brown sugars, light caramel, toasted breads. A nice mildly sweet lager, nice malt-backbone. Finish is sweet with an ever-so-light touch of bitterness, perhaps more dark chocolate then anything.
M - Light, good carbonation, smooth and refreshing, clean finish.
O - Another excellent German larger from FFF. Almost more of a traditional take on the style, with less hops then I would expect. When all is said and done, I really enjoyed this beer and would have it often when at FFF. Recommend.
★ 784 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
On-tap at FFF.
A - Pours a darker brown color, off-white head, thin ring, spotty lace.
S - Very malt-forward, nice toasted bread notes, light caramel, brown sugar. Really nice malty sweetness and light toasted notes...quite excellent.
T - Similar to the taste. Excellent sweet maltiness, brown sugars, light caramel, toasted breads. A nice mildly sweet lager, nice malt-backbone. Finish is sweet with an ever-so-light touch of bitterness, perhaps more dark chocolate then anything.
M - Light, good carbonation, smooth and refreshing, clean finish.
O - Another excellent German larger from FFF. Almost more of a traditional take on the style, with less hops then I would expect. When all is said and done, I really enjoyed this beer and would have it often when at FFF. Recommend.
★ 784 characters
Das Kleine Schwarz Einhorn from 3 Floyds Brewing Co.
4.08
out of 5
based on 130 ratings.
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.25
16oz draft pour into a Bavarian Lodge branded becher glass is a mostly opaque deep, dark brown color with a light, and quickly disappearing, tan head.
Aromas are roasted malt and lighter coffee.
Flavors lean more malty with much less coffee and an almost chewy caramel.
Feel is lighter than one might assume, per the style.
Nice by the fire.
★ 342 characters