North Of Schwarz
Portage Brewing Company

Appearance: Pours a dark, nearly completely black color with a massive, light tan head. SRM of 23. (4.25)

Aroma: Moderate aromas of roasted dark malt, light cocoa. A mild earthy oak aroma. (4.00)

Flavor: Strong and peppery flavors of course, dark grains. Hints of roasted cocoa too. Peppery with some earthy herbal notes. Pepper spice off the end. Dry. (4.00)

Feel: Medium-bodied, strong carbonation. A peppery coarseness lingers. (3.75)

Compared to Modist Pretty Metal 2/2023: Pours identical, stronger aromas. More cocoa, roasted, peppery grains. Less smooth yeast and bread.

Overall: A roasted and dark schwarzbier with a peppery and almost spicy bite, which was interesting. A little course and abrasive, and I think a touch more flavor or smoothness would help here. Smooths out as it warms though. (Rating: 3.99)

16oz can into a tall Lager glass.
L: Pours dark medieval brown w glowing tobacco edges, a thin rounded light khaki head w ok retention to a thick skin, low carbo, random scattered spotty lacing.
S: Dark chocolate, caramelized malts, a hint of coffee char, slightly floral, subtle wood smoke, toasted brown bread, a suggestion of raisins, gently earthy.
T: A subtle hop twang, caramelized malts, cocoa, dark chocolate, light coffee char, darkly toasted bread crust, a backdrop of oak smokiness gently encapsulates entire flavor boosting up the dark roasted grains and dark chocolate. It is gently and deliciously pale.
F: A standard drink w a medium body and an easy & fluid fairly clean med-fast finish that is very lightly drying. Well balanced with the taste.
O: A really EZ drinking Schwarzbier w accentuated toasted grain & chocolate notes. The oak smoke is a fantastic touch. Nothing to figure out, no puzzling complexities, just really well constructed beer. It is excellent in its style.