Bon Fire Black Lager
Perth Brewery

Smoky-tasting black lager. Not to my taste.

 

 

 

473 mL can from the LCBO; packaged Jun 17 2020 and served barely chilled.

Pours deep chestnut brown with good clarity, shining ruby red when held to the light. Nearly two fingers of foamy, buff-coloured head arises from the surface before wilting away; within five minutes, it's reduced to a frothy collar and a modest speckling of lace. The nose is mostly characterized by roasted malts - I'm getting coffee grounds, heavily caramelized/burnt sugars, earthy hops and some ashiness, with the smokey aspects being kept to a fairly low background level. So far, it's your typical domestic-brewed schwarz-like lager.

It tastes of roasted grains and toasted bread, with hints of nutty sweetness, coffee grounds and molasses; the ashy, smokey flavours start to come through by the middle of the sip, persisting through the back end, but without really dominating it. Notes of earthy, slightly spicy hops start to tie things together, as the profile then reverts back to light smokiness in the aftertaste, with a twinge of metallicity as the palate dries out. Light-medium in body, with moderately low carbonation that gently prickles the tongue, resulting in a rather smooth texture that allows this lager to glide down the gullet with ease. Easy enough to drink, but one is plenty.

Final Grade: 3.58, a B grade. Black lagers themselves aren't exactly commonplace around here, but smoked beers such as Perth's Bon Fire are a genuine rarity: in fact, I don't think I've reviewed (or even seen) a new one in years. Loosely based on a schwarzbier - and it does have shades of that dry, bittersweet finish that I'm looking for - but dark lagers are at their best when they're subtle, and this one just, well, isn't. Don't get me wrong - it's not a smoke bomb, but the smoke is noticeable enough that I expect it to annoy folks who don't like smoked beer. In the end, I didn't mind this lager, and it's worth a spin if you happen to like both dark lagers and smoked beers.

473 ml can served cold into a pint glass. Review from notes.

Appearance - dark cola brown with a finger plus of head and a small amount of lacing.

Smell - Certainly a smokiness permeates this brew, with some earthiness and a subtle metallic twang. Somehow it allmcomes through as the campfire aroma is strongest.

Taste - Like the nose with a non-inconsequential amount of smoke, some roasted malts and subtle grain backing.

Mouthfeel -Medium bodied with a very dry finish. Carbonation is appropriate.

Overall - Pretty decent little smoke beer that holds up ok given the lack of similar brews here. It's not a porter or stout as Bon Fire does cross that light as there is a sufficient amount of smoke to carry the beer.

Dark cola colour,mid-sized head,lots of fine spotty lace. No meaningful smoke on the nose. Mostly sweet malt and dark toast. Light on the palette. That's where the smoke shows up and it is indeed just a hint. Comfortable drinking, no big whoop.