Draft Lab #4 Schwarzbier
Blackberry Farm Brewery

 

it is difficult for me to be impartial when drinking and writing about blackberry farm beers, they just impress me so much across the board and have really become one of my favorites. this is a world class schwarzbier, as good of a beer in this style as i have had in a long time, and for something so simple really, its quality is easy to observe and appreciate. this is matte black from the tap with a half inch of dense light brown head, looks deep even for the style. dark roasted malt defines this for me, tons of bitter almost burnt grain depth to it, far more than i am used to in the style, but it is so well supported by all this body, sturdy without being heavy, the intense dark grain doesnt seem out of place at all. earthy soil, light anise or licorice, black tea, and german yeast. its dry, even crisp too, snappy almost like a pale lager, and very carbonated, some lingering breadiness, minerals, and bitterness from the roast at the end. light wood and dark chocolate notes in this, not overly complex but well layered, smooth drinking and enormously flavorful for its low alcohol content. its cool these guys have branched out into some other styles in this draft lab series, its really showing their prowess, competence, and expertise in a whole new way. this was absolutely outstanding! magic with a good hamburger!