Tmavé Pivo
Simple Roots Brewing Company

an exceptional dark lager in the czech tradition, simple and drinkable, exceedingly well made, and a little more hearty than most, it was great to get to check this place out finally, albeit briefly, with family. a rich brown color with redder edges and a frothed up inch of tan foam from the tap, looks great. a little roast to the nose going a half step deeper than a lot of these in that direction, almost into brown ale or even lighter porter range, dont mind at all. notes of cocoa and chestnuts in the nose, light toffee, and old world lager yeast well used, a hint of tobacco, and only sweet for a flash. the flavor is dark bread and minerals, soil, very organic and drier than it smells with just a bit of a chocolate and molasses center, the yeast taking over a bit though the second half and drying it out, more robust than traditional, but not enough to throw this off in any way, and it drinks sturdy for the style and quite autumnal to me, which works this time of year of course. distinctly czech thanks to the ferment, nutty and layered on the grain side, smooth and long and both refreshing and almost nutritious feeling to drink, well carbonated, and technically speaking very solid. i feel like the simple roots stuff stays under the radar most of the time, but they make some very good beer, enjoyed this pint!

The can label states "Dark Pilsner". Which is wrong, since Pilsner is always golden or straw yellow. The whole reason for the Original Pilsner creation was that the good citizens of Plzen got sick and tired of dark funky inconsistent beer brewed in town.

So let's say this is an attempt to make a dark Czech style lager.

A decent enough brew. A bit funky still. Not unpleasant but a bit too acidic instead of velvety sweet which is the standard for the style in Czech.

A solid 3 pointer. Try harder, Simple Roots. You got the look and the smell part, now work out the the kinks in the taste department.

Pours a 2-finger light tan head that fades slowly, leaving a good lace. Dark brown color, hints of highlights. Light-medium carbonation and light bodied. Nose is light toasted malt. Flavor has hints of malt, pine hops. A 16oz brown/orange can from Beverage Warehouse, Winooski, VT.

On tap at Doc Ponds in Stowe, VT.

This one pours a dark-ish golden brown color, with a small head, and a bit of lacing.

This smells kind of nutty, almost like sesame, with caramel, roasted malt, and some breadiness.

This is just a bit too sweet for the style, as there's no bitterness from roasted malt, or any hop charater. It's kind of just creamy and sweet. It tastes good, and has a nice nuttiness to it, but it's not one of the better takes on the style that I've had.

This is medium bodied, creamy, sweet, and pretty drinkable, with nice smooth finish.

Although this wasn't really that bad, I expect a lot more out of this style.

Poured from a 16 oz can purchased from 802 store in Manchester; born on 9/20/21. Pours dark brown - almost black - with decent amount of foamy head that rapidly recedes. Subtle burnt malt taste but still very light and pilsnery. Very good - neigh - great!

 

16 oz can. Pours brown with tall, long-lasting, foamy, beige head and lovely carbonation. Aroma is of toasted malt and grassy hops. Body is medium and slightly crisp. Taste of toasted malt, toffee and grassy hops. Finish is long and dry. Delicious brew.