Schell's Stag Series: Czech-Style Dark Lager
August Schell Brewing Company

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pours out a clear mahogany color with two fingers of frothy latte-colored head that lasts for several minutes, but only leaves minimal lacing behind. Light yet rich and flavorful body. Higher side of medium carbonation levels.

Smells a bit like a cross between pumpernickel, challah, and banana bread with a touch of chocolate and saaz spicing sting. They weren't kidding when they advertised it as bready. Dark rustic yeasty bread is also dominant on the palate. Basically, it plays out exactly like how you'd expect an imaginary cross between a czech pils and a dunkel to be. Bread, yeast, saaz spice, in a solid clean crisp combo.

Very good beer, worth trying.

The beer's flavor profiles seems complex to me. Tastes include banana at first sip, Noble hops in the mid range and smoke at the end, yet a crisp finish. There's not much left on the palate.

The head was one inch thick in a pilsner glass and the lacing lasted for as long as it took me to drink the full beer, which wan't very long.

Color is a beautiful dark ruby red in the light.

The smell is very malty, yet the hops deceptively balance this beer.

Overall, a very fine brew. I didn't think the Stag series would be OK after the Burton Ale, but this is a worthy follow-up.

Good for Schell's!

 

 

 

 

 

August Schell Stag Series Czech-style Dark Lager does indeed pour a dark dark brew (actually a very nice clear dark rose color up to the light) with a big pillowy head. Carbonation is quite active though not spritzy, and all those bubbles bring up a clean nose- chiefly toasty barley malt and a note of lager yeast funk. Up front, the flavor is similarly straightforward- clean roastey-toasty malt with notes of bakers chocolate, followed up with a bright and crackling (though not overpowering) herbal hop off the back. Mouthfeel is light and dry- though the brew is dark, there's nothing oppressive or weighty about it- just about perfect now that it's summer again.

Dark brown with a one finger beige head with good retention and lacing. The aroma has sweet caramel malt, dark bread, and Saaz hops.

The flavor has caramel malt, dark bread, Saaz hops, and a little bit of smoke. There is some sweetness which is balanced by the hops.

Medium bodied with average carbonation. Has a slightly sweet light smoke aftertaste. Another nice beer from the Stag Series.