Schwarzenegger
Liquid Mechanics Brewing Co.

Had on tap at the brewery.

On arrival a fine, tan, thick head was present. The body is a dark, near black, ruby red. Very nice lacing. Overall 10ish minutes, head dissipates to a thin covering.

Aroma is a mix of black coffee and some lighter roasted, almost burnt toast malt notes. A definite German lager aroma that almost reminds me of traditional pilsners hides in the background. Almost "smokey", but not at all like a truly smoked beer. Hops are detectable on the aroma but light and only bittering additions. Quite complex and deep aromas.

Taste is similar to the aroma, but it's even more drinkable than the smell suggests. A slight lager crispness greets you right on the front, before it slowly eases you into some noble bittering hops, then a wave of dark, but not black malts hits you. Dark chocolate, black coffee, as well as some notes that I can only describe as "cleanly earthy malts". Not the sweetest dark beer in the world but it works really well.

Feel is crisp and drinkable like a lager but with the finish of an Irish stout. Not a dry feeling beer despite the low sweetness. There is a definite mouthcoating maltiness on the finish, but at first it doesn't have you expecting that. This does a great job at being a black lager. Bigger than a pils but not feeling like a dark big ale.

Overall, I could do with a bit more sweetness to make this that much more drinkable, but this is a super clean lightly bitter and pretty crisp black lager.