Hasseröder Schwarz
Hasseröder Brauerei GmbH

 

This schwarzbier pours a pitch black color with a medium tan head and a pretty high amount of carbonation. There is really almost no scent to this beer, but if you smell hard enough there is a faint scent of bread and molasses. Schwarzbiers in my experience vary in their flavor much less than most other styles of beer, however, this one is quite a bit different from what I’ve had before, which for the most part isn’t a good thing. The initial flavor is very light and almost watery, but then on the aftertaste all the flavor hits you. It has strong malty bread flavors as well as a smoky roasted grain flavor. The body overall I guess is medium since it is light at first then really settles on your tongue. The aftertaste is actually pretty good, but it seems strangely forced and a little artificial (not at all typical of German beers). It’s ok, but I’ve had better schwarzbiers. I can however say that it is a lot better than this brewery’s marzen.

L:
-pours the darkest of brown with ruby tinges and a medium to big,frothy,sand-coloured head
-low carbonation visible
S:
spicy,grassy,mocha,coffee,nutty,licorice
T:
-spicy,grassy,earthy,sugar,plums,raisins
F:
-low to medium carbonation
-light,watery body
O:
o.k. Schwarzbier.Probably the best one in Hasseröder's lineup.

Had on tap in Leipzig. Poured into a weiss glass.

L: Poured a deep tarry black with two fingers of tannish head.

S: Smoky roasted grains. Minimal vanilla notes.

T/F: Smoky and a bit unpleasant. Some malts but it doesn't overcome the smoke flavor. Mild carbonation.

O: In general I wasn't a fan. Smoky and lacking in complexity. I've had much better examples of the style.

 

A: The color is pitch black. The brown head is really large and quite compact and creamy. Rather nice lacings occour after the slow dissipation.

S: Hard roasted dry malts, smoke and some burned notes. Smoked ham and strong coffee. Some dark dried fruits. Faint vanilla.

T: Really smoky notes. Hard roasted dark malts, very dry. The smoked ham is still present. Coffee is stronger while the dark dried fruits are held back.

M: Long smoky and bitter bone-dry aftertaste. Body is medium while carbonation is modest.

O: Kind of unusual for a Schwarzbier, but still true to the style. The smoke sure is a bit off, but with the black malts - not bad at all. This is by far the best thing from Hasseröder I've ever tried...