Schwarzbier
Creemore Springs Brewery Limited

Pours very dark brown, veering on black. A flash in the pan espresso head leaves only a bit of lace on the glass. The aroma is of fresh roasted coffee, chocolate fudge and rye brad. The taste is malty and chocolatey with light herbal hops in the back. The mouthfeel is full bodied with prickly carbonation reminding me this is a lager. Light bitterness and plenty of dark malts in the long finish.

A nice, slightly off dry example of the style. Worth a try.

473 mL can from the LCBO; coded Oct 20 2022 and served barely chilled.

Pours a dark chestnut brown with crimson red highlights, producing nearly two fingers of puffy, foamy, tan-coloured head that lingers for several minutes. An even ring of lace about half an inch wide is left in its wake, with the other remnants including a thin collar and filmy cap. Subtle aromas of roasted grain and toasted bread, with suggestions of coffee and caramelized malts.

Its flavours are equally subtle, but exquisitely balanced, making for a supremely quaffable (if not especially flavourful) dark lager. I'm getting roasted grains, light caramelized malt sweetness and then a touch of coffee roastiness on the back end, followed by a bittersweet aftertaste that quickly fades to dry. Light in body, with lively carbonation that adds some spritz to this brew's smooth, crisp mouthfeel.

Final Grade: 3.84, a B+. I have always liked schwarzbiers: their unique mix of roasted grains and clean, crisp, refreshing lager goodness appeals to me in a way that no other styles of lager can truly satisfy. Creemore's Schwarzbier is an acceptable substitute for the authentic German article, but as a seasonal offering, it's not something I can turn to on a reliable basis to scratch that itch. Worth a try if you've enjoyed dark lagers in the past, e.g. Köstritzer's.

473 ml can served cold into a pint glass. Thanks Mom for the Christmas gift!

Appearance - Very dark brown and near black. Two fingers of ight tan head rest loosely on top. Moderate retention and sparse lacing. Nonetheless the classic Schwarzbier appearance has been achieved.

Smell - Some roasty aspects, a touch of burnt grain and a mild sweetness in behind the burnt grain. Not the most aromatic of brews, even adjusting for style.

Taste - Roasted malts, some dark bready aspects mixed within and a touch of caramel sweetness. A touch sweeter than the classic Scwarzbier, but really on point. Some mineral water elements backing this up[ in the aftertaste.

Mouthfeel - Medium-light bodied, middling-low carbonation and easy drinking. Finish is a bit minerally and semi-dry.

Overall - One of the better Schwarzbiers I've had (not that there's been that many). Solidly brewed and the mild sweetness brings this up a notch as otherwise, it is a relatively bare bones example of the style.

I bought a can at the LCBO in Ontario 473ml at 4.7%.
Poured into glass with a 1 finger head leaving a lace as you drink it
Sweet dry roasted malty flavors a little coffee flavors too
Overall an enjoyable easy drinking dark lager beer.
Cheers

 

Poured a 473ml can into a pint glass. A big 2 finger bubbly tan head on a clear ruby black.
Coffee malt smells.
Coffee up front. A nice dry finish.
Light body with moderate carbonation.
A nice light bodied dark lager.