Select Schwarzbier
Pipeworks Brewing Co.


- From:
- Pipeworks Brewing Co.
- Illinois, United States
- Style:
- Schwarzbier
Ranked #25 - ABV:
- 6.3%
- Score:
- 90
Ranked #13,791 - Avg:
- 4.03 | pDev: 6.2%
- Ratings:
- | reviews: 23
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- May 09, 2025
- Added:
- Apr 05, 2019
- Wants:
- 0
- Gots:
- 1
Our new classic dark lager has clean and crisp hints of coco and espresso from select toasted malts. This beer spent a significant time lagering in tanks - good things can’t be rushed.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by Sinfull:
Reviewed by Sinfull from New York
3.87/5 rDev -4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
3.87/5 rDev -4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Black color. Good-looking, beige head. Roasted malt and dark chocolate in the aroma. Malty taste with coffee notes. Strong roasted bitterness dominates at the end.
May 09, 2025More User Ratings:
Reviewed by Franziskaner from Missouri
3.94/5 rDev -2.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
3.94/5 rDev -2.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Black in color with no penetration to the light. There’s a half inch of frothy brown on top. The aroma is of dark bread. I’m tasting slightly sweet dark bready malt. The mouth is dry and crisp.
Oct 15, 2023Reviewed by BeerGeekExtraordinaire from Illinois
3.75/5 rDev -6.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
3.75/5 rDev -6.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Standard disclaimer. I do this the way I do on Untappd.
Poured into a tulip glass.
Slightly roasty aroma. Roasty notes along with some chocolate notes. I'd almost describe this as a porter with body. I like it, but it's sweeter than I normally expect from a schwarzbier. Is it really typical to style? No, but I do like it.
Aug 05, 2023Poured into a tulip glass.
Slightly roasty aroma. Roasty notes along with some chocolate notes. I'd almost describe this as a porter with body. I like it, but it's sweeter than I normally expect from a schwarzbier. Is it really typical to style? No, but I do like it.
Reviewed by Bitterbill from Wyoming
4.11/5 rDev +2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
4.11/5 rDev +2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
From Brewvana. November 2022.I could not read the day.
It pours black/very dark brown with a fine layer of tan foam. Some spotty lacing.
The smell is dark chocolate, toasty, some coffee aromas.
The taste is coffee, dark chocolate, maybe more of a cocoa flavour. Moderately sweet with a nice semi bitter bite.
Very good mouthfeel, very good beer of the style.
Apr 12, 2023It pours black/very dark brown with a fine layer of tan foam. Some spotty lacing.
The smell is dark chocolate, toasty, some coffee aromas.
The taste is coffee, dark chocolate, maybe more of a cocoa flavour. Moderately sweet with a nice semi bitter bite.
Very good mouthfeel, very good beer of the style.
Reviewed by BEERchitect from Kentucky
3.83/5 rDev -5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
3.83/5 rDev -5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
There must be peace in the universe as the unicorns and ninjas reach a ceasefire, just long enough for Pipeworks to venture into the world of lager making. Dark, roasty and easy drinking, their lager isn't your average lager, its a Black Forest favorite- Schwarzbier.
Very dark brown, creamy and verbose in its pour, Select Schwarzier carries a creamy mocha froth with firm withstanding and looking the part of porter. As a roasty sweet scent gravitates toward the nose, the robust perfume of coffee, cocoa, caramel and light creamy nougat not only manifest in scent but also layers onto the tongue with malty-sweet effects.
Creamy, roasty and sweet, the lager continues to deliver robust flavors but with a soothing balance, seeming vanilla-like with a creamy carbonation and a pronounced chocolate sweetness. Departing from the common black beer of Germany, Pipeworks' version is heavier, creamier and stronger, trending much more full and less dry than its Bavarian counterparts.
Slim bitterness adds a hint of balance as the ale finishes quite like it started- like a porter. Its a nice dark, smooth beer that finishes on the sweeter side but still with good drinkability.
Mar 30, 2023Very dark brown, creamy and verbose in its pour, Select Schwarzier carries a creamy mocha froth with firm withstanding and looking the part of porter. As a roasty sweet scent gravitates toward the nose, the robust perfume of coffee, cocoa, caramel and light creamy nougat not only manifest in scent but also layers onto the tongue with malty-sweet effects.
Creamy, roasty and sweet, the lager continues to deliver robust flavors but with a soothing balance, seeming vanilla-like with a creamy carbonation and a pronounced chocolate sweetness. Departing from the common black beer of Germany, Pipeworks' version is heavier, creamier and stronger, trending much more full and less dry than its Bavarian counterparts.
Slim bitterness adds a hint of balance as the ale finishes quite like it started- like a porter. Its a nice dark, smooth beer that finishes on the sweeter side but still with good drinkability.
Reviewed by Suds from Missouri
3.92/5 rDev -2.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
3.92/5 rDev -2.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
From a tall can, this brew is a very dark brown, nearly black, with a tan head. The aroma has rich roasted notes, and an almost dark chocolate scent. Low malt in the background. The taste is fairly dry, with the roasted notes in the background. Nice body and enjoyable. Nice.
Mar 10, 2023Reviewed by MutuelsMark from Kentucky
4.38/5 rDev +8.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
4.38/5 rDev +8.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
Super dark Ale. Nose is very toasted malty. Head is tan and thick! Leaves a nice lacing. Taste is also malt forward. The afterward back bite is one of the best parts I think. Good flavor to bite = great beer!
Mar 09, 2023Rated by Bloodbuzz99 from Georgia
4.13/5 rDev +2.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
4.13/5 rDev +2.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Can from Canton St Jan 2023
Feb 05, 2023Reviewed by Dinglehacker from Wisconsin
4.19/5 rDev +4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.19/5 rDev +4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Poured can into pint glass. Thin Khaki head.
Rye nose. Some dark pipe tobacco.
Taste is dark roast, light chocolate malt, creamy. Grassy hop finish.
Medium body.
Fine lil black lager.
Jan 14, 2023Rye nose. Some dark pipe tobacco.
Taste is dark roast, light chocolate malt, creamy. Grassy hop finish.
Medium body.
Fine lil black lager.
Reviewed by zeff80 from Missouri
4/5 rDev -0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
4/5 rDev -0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
16oz can. Poured out an opaque, jet-black color with a small, white head of bubbly foam. It left sticky rings of lace on the glass. It smelled of roasted malt, coffee, and rich chocolate. Nice coffee bitterness with caramel, toffee and chocolate.
Jan 13, 2023Reviewed by Ozzylizard from Pennsylvania
3.8/5 rDev -5.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
3.8/5 rDev -5.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Select Schwarzbier from Pipeworks. Purchased 10/20/20 for $ 4.76 (Including tax) for 16 oz can ($ 0.297/oz) from Shangy’s in Emmaus, PA. Reviewed 12/14/20.
Stamped on outer rim of bottom “04/03/2019”. On room temperature shelf at store and stored at home at 42 degrees. Served at 48 degrees in a hand washed and dried Jester King snifter. Final temperature 55.2 degrees.
Appearance – 4.25
First pour – Amber brown (SRM 18), clear.
Body – Ruby brown (SRM 24), opaque. When held to direct light, the ruby is evident and so dark it is still nearly opaque.
Head – Average (Maximum six cm, aggressive center pour), buff, medium density, average retention, diminishing to a seven mm crown, and a thin complete cap. Second pour produces a tight 1.3 cm head.
Lacing – None.
Aroma –3.5 – Weak, slightly bitter, burnt malt, no hops, no yeast.
Flavor – 3.75 – Begins slightly bitter with weak chocolate malt, no hops, no yeast. No alcohol (6.3 % ABV, as marked on container) taste or aroma. No dimethylsulfide or diacetyl.
Palate – 4 – Medium, almost creamy, soft carbonation.
Final impression and summation: 4 Why, you ask, did I knowingly buy a year-old lager stored at room temperature? Well, first of all, it’s a schwarzbier, a style as rare as an honest politician, and secondly, it’s from Pipeworks, a consistently good brewery. So, even expecting the hops to have fallen off, it still should be decent. And it is. I’d love to find some fresher, or at least refrigerated.
Dec 14, 2020Stamped on outer rim of bottom “04/03/2019”. On room temperature shelf at store and stored at home at 42 degrees. Served at 48 degrees in a hand washed and dried Jester King snifter. Final temperature 55.2 degrees.
Appearance – 4.25
First pour – Amber brown (SRM 18), clear.
Body – Ruby brown (SRM 24), opaque. When held to direct light, the ruby is evident and so dark it is still nearly opaque.
Head – Average (Maximum six cm, aggressive center pour), buff, medium density, average retention, diminishing to a seven mm crown, and a thin complete cap. Second pour produces a tight 1.3 cm head.
Lacing – None.
Aroma –3.5 – Weak, slightly bitter, burnt malt, no hops, no yeast.
Flavor – 3.75 – Begins slightly bitter with weak chocolate malt, no hops, no yeast. No alcohol (6.3 % ABV, as marked on container) taste or aroma. No dimethylsulfide or diacetyl.
Palate – 4 – Medium, almost creamy, soft carbonation.
Final impression and summation: 4 Why, you ask, did I knowingly buy a year-old lager stored at room temperature? Well, first of all, it’s a schwarzbier, a style as rare as an honest politician, and secondly, it’s from Pipeworks, a consistently good brewery. So, even expecting the hops to have fallen off, it still should be decent. And it is. I’d love to find some fresher, or at least refrigerated.
Reviewed by bret27 from California
4.27/5 rDev +6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.27/5 rDev +6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Can courtesy of JohnnyHops.
Opaque very dark brown appearance. Tan head with lace. Foamy, retention.
S: Nutty, cream, chocolate, tobacco.
F: Medium thick, creamy mouthfeel.
T: wood, nutty, smoky, sarsaparilla & cream.
Overall: flavorful and delicious.
Sep 25, 2020Opaque very dark brown appearance. Tan head with lace. Foamy, retention.
S: Nutty, cream, chocolate, tobacco.
F: Medium thick, creamy mouthfeel.
T: wood, nutty, smoky, sarsaparilla & cream.
Overall: flavorful and delicious.
Reviewed by jlindros from Massachusetts
3.96/5 rDev -1.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
3.96/5 rDev -1.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
NO can date
Pours a large foamy tan head with med retention, a bit of soapy lacing, dark basically black color
Nose brings roasted malts, dark grainy malt with a bit of coffee, a bit of chocolate and cereal, touch of caramel which seems a bit out of place
Taste brings roast up front, fair amount of roast and starts to get a little too heavy roast and borders char but doesn't quite get there, a bit of burnt coffee, into a bit of caramel and nougat like notes which also seem out of place a bit, a little bitterness from the roast and a touch of spicy hops especially late, a hint of fruity note in the background, drier finish, hops getting more spicy and a bit roasty with med spicy hop bitterness
Mouth is med bod, a bit creamy, med-higher foamy carb, a little soft lager
Overall not bad, a bit of characters not typically in schwarzbier like the caramel and nougat, but that's prob just their interpretation, the roast gets a little overboard level of char but not overboard, nice lagering
Jun 27, 2020Pours a large foamy tan head with med retention, a bit of soapy lacing, dark basically black color
Nose brings roasted malts, dark grainy malt with a bit of coffee, a bit of chocolate and cereal, touch of caramel which seems a bit out of place
Taste brings roast up front, fair amount of roast and starts to get a little too heavy roast and borders char but doesn't quite get there, a bit of burnt coffee, into a bit of caramel and nougat like notes which also seem out of place a bit, a little bitterness from the roast and a touch of spicy hops especially late, a hint of fruity note in the background, drier finish, hops getting more spicy and a bit roasty with med spicy hop bitterness
Mouth is med bod, a bit creamy, med-higher foamy carb, a little soft lager
Overall not bad, a bit of characters not typically in schwarzbier like the caramel and nougat, but that's prob just their interpretation, the roast gets a little overboard level of char but not overboard, nice lagering
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