Due South / Brewzzi India Black Lager
Due South Brewing Co.

First had: on tap at the Mack House, Davie, FL

This was interesting. My interpretation was a hoppy dark lager that is an attempt at a combination between a schwarzbier and an IPA; or an attempt to make a lager version of the Cascadian dark ale / American black ale. I'm sure I've seen this kind of thing done before, but this was my first sample of the sub-style.

Dark brown pour verging on black, with a large puff of creamy beige head that took a minute or two to settle down; nice retention and lacing. Aroma of dark roasty malts, cocoa, toasted grains, and a surprising hit of citrus and pine hops. The combination worked well in the taste, and the hops came through very distinctively, while the beer still retained qualities of a schwarzbier or dark lager: roasted dark malt sweetness, pumpernickel, notes of coffee and cocoa. Smooth and mild in mouthfeel like a good schwarzbier, but with a distinct hoppy crispness. Interesting overall. Quite drinkable, but I'd imagine this beer would only translate well fresh. Bottle it, and you might not get the same effect.