Black Lager
Beer Academy

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As you stare into the cold darkness of this black lager you have no comprehension of just how agreeable the beer actually is. There's no need to be afraid of the dark - opacity may be intimidating to some but it has no actual relation to how approachable an offering may be. Trust me, this offering is as smooth as it is shadowy.

The aroma contains the same dark roasty flavor (and stimulating jolt) of hazelnut blend coffee. There's a brushstroke of bakers chocolate and herbal hops in there too. Initial reaction is to call this a porter (and not a half bad one at that).

Genuine German schwarzbiers don't typically go so far as to exhibit strongly roasted, porter-like flavors. It's totally contrary to regulations. But this is not a genuine example. The maltiness has far more coffee-like qualities and is more, how do I say it... impactful. It's a barrage of flavour for a lager - certainly more than what European palates would be accustomed to.

And heavier too, though it retains the easy quaffability a 'black Pils' should have. That ampleness translates to a coffee-and-cream mouthfeel which itself gives way to a light ashy astringency on the finish. There's also adequate plum-like esters and herbal-tasting hop remnants to make any distinctions between this and a porter rather negligible.

Engineers will tell you that good design is simple. Less is more. The shorter proof is usually the better one. This is definitely true of schwarzbier (the Germans do tend to be efficient). Beer Academy's Black Lager is more substantial but I like it in spite (and because) of this fact. Those usually indifferent to the style are also apt to find this ampler offering more appealing.

625ml bottle poured into a tall pilsner glass 12/9/12 thanks liamt07 for sending the bottle

A nearly black at first glance but some light shows a dark cola with some ruby, tilt the glass and you can see all the bubbles feeding a massive light brown head that looks like rolling hills , great retention with foam at the bottom of the glass and a few chunks of lace cling to the side, looks sexy

S smells of strong coco powder and cold coffee with some faint meaty smoke and plum, smells simply but quite nice

T not as strong as the nose but everything's still there in one form or another, faint lager flavors peak through the dark malts I'm assuming its yeast, some raisins and just a little charred wood, tasty stuff

M almost too much carbonation and I always find it strange having a light body in a beer this dark, mild smokey aftertaste

O a nice example of a black lager, I'd like too see a bunch of hops thrown in this because the malts are firmly in charge. I know the style isn't a hop bomb perhaps I'm just craving hops today

I could drink a few of these without getting board, your off to a good start beer academy

Enjoyed on tap at the brewpub. Pours oily black with some head. This is more malty, malted chocolate beer than a dry or bitter shwartzbier. It makes it somewhat more drinkable for some. A sweeter version of the style. An above average mouthfeel. Neutral aroma. There is roast, but it is hitched to the chocolate and chocolate malt.

On tap at the brewery, into a tulip.

Dark brown, almost black with a khaki head. Mild retention but some fairly solid lace. Nose has chocolate, roast, dark breads and some lager yeast qualities. Taste has lots of chocolate and lightly roasted cofee, more dark breads and perhaps even a shred of dark fruits. Moderate hop bitterness and a balance of sweet and drying sensations in the finish. Lighter medium body. Smooth roast flavours linger for quite some time. Medium carbonation, a nice schwarzbier. A style not done often enough in the province, good to see it available.