Session Black Lager
Full Sail Brewing Company

Session Black LagerSession Black Lager
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From:
Full Sail Brewing Company
 
Oregon, United States
Style:
Schwarzbier
ABV:
5.4%
Score:
83
Avg:
3.67 | pDev: 12.81%
Reviews:
372
Ratings:
926
Status:
Active
Rated:
Oct 16, 2021
Added:
Jun 27, 2009
Wants:
  31
Gots:
  124
ABV 5.4% IBU 18
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by msubulldog25:
Photo of msubulldog25
Reviewed by msubulldog25 from Oregon

3.93/5  rDev +7.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5
The latest brew from Full Sail, released July 2009 as a year-round complement to the already popular Session Lager. 11 oz. brown 'stubby' bottle, poured to a pint glass. Laser dated: 102309; beneath the cap: 'Rock'.

A: 'Black' is a bit of a misnomer; don't expect an opaque porter/stout-like appearance. This one is deep brown, 'mahogany' I suppose, translucent with a fair amount of rising carbonation. Head is 1/2-finger topping of creamy khaki, dwindling in a minute or two to a thinner film. Lace in speckles and splotchy bands.

S: All about the malt, caramel and dusty cocoa. Earthy huskiness with just enough spicy hops to deflect the aroma away from over-sweetness. Slightly smoky char tickles the nose.

T: Veiled sweetness, darker chocolate and a toasty malt/grain. Spicy caramel, vague berry fruitiness. More dry roast in the finish. Seems to grow in its roasted-rich malt intensity with each sip.

M: Fairly light body, but crisply carbonated. Lasting dry spiciness, a burnt grain. Some sweeter malts hanging, too. Not quite the 'refreshing' summer beer that the sister brew Session is, but that's fine with me.

D: Eminently easy to drink, I consumed at least 4 of these at last night's Independence Day get-together with friends, feeling no effects other than a reduced inhibition around strangers and a rampant patriotism. Not the style of beer to 'wow', but definitely an everyday drinker that's sure to be a hit around these parts. I'm very happy with the trend towards drinkable lagers with flavor; will be picking up a case from time to time. Good job, Full Sail!
Jul 06, 2009
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 3.42 by LesDewitt4beer from Minnesota

Oct 16, 2021
 
Rated: 3.75 by bundy462 from Texas

Nov 04, 2019
 
Rated: 3.59 by Kolb from Montana

Apr 29, 2019
 
Rated: 3.46 by HopliteMpls612 from Minnesota

Mar 27, 2019
Photo of JLK7299
Rated by JLK7299 from North Carolina

3.83/5  rDev +4.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Pretty good! Glad I tried it!
Dec 31, 2018
Photo of Guppy314
Reviewed by Guppy314 from District of Columbia

3.69/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
From a bottle, pours as a clear brown with essentially no head. Aroma is subtle caramel. Taste is roasted sweet malt with some caramel and toffee flavors. But nothing particularly special.
Apr 28, 2018
Photo of dotASC
Reviewed by dotASC from Florida

3.67/5  rDev 0%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
Better than the sum of its parts. Not particularly thick, sort of overly effervescent, and only really "dark" if you drink it with the lights off. Nevertheless it pleases in a surprisingly snappy way. Very drinkable. Feels good on the upper lip from a pint glass, and presents an experience that one would be hard pressed to find completely offensive.

Would drink again. Would buy again if on significant sale.
Mar 08, 2018
 
Rated: 3.47 by robebo44 from Virginia

Jan 11, 2018
 
Rated: 3.5 by 1971bernat from Virginia

Jan 01, 2018
 
Rated: 3.69 by Griphon from Florida

Jul 23, 2017
Photo of andrewh995
Reviewed by andrewh995 from Arizona

3.06/5  rDev -16.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Pours a clear brown with a small head. Smells of malts. Tastes of slightly roasted malts and maybe some coffee. Light bodied with light carbonation. Overall it's ok, but nothing I'd get again.
Jul 23, 2017
Photo of huthuty
Reviewed by huthuty from Utah

4.32/5  rDev +17.7%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.25
This poured a black color with little head
The smell is dark and nutty as is the taste
The mouth feel is surprisingly light despite the other aspects
I like this beer, however I plan on postponing a full rating until I have a few beers in the style
Jul 15, 2017
Photo of mintzmeet
Reviewed by mintzmeet from Washington

3.21/5  rDev -12.5%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25
This beer is alright. Out of the bottle, looks kind of weak. No head, thin color. But good malty-like molasses flavor. Almost no smell. Thin mouthfeel but feels "wet"...refreshing!
May 29, 2017
 
Rated: 3.43 by JDoHo from Michigan

May 11, 2017
Photo of Reidrover
Reviewed by Reidrover from Oregon

3.77/5  rDev +2.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Dark brown coloured beer, small tan head, that dissapears fast yet leaves good lace behind. Roasty,toast like aromas..some toffeeish aspects. Flavour is the same as the nose toasty maltiness, some slight hints of coffee and a touch of hop. Nice mouthfeel to this, silky with an abrubt dry finish. Good drinkable cheap beer what more can one ask for. Hope this sticks around as it would be ideal for Super Bowl and the likes
Apr 08, 2017
Photo of BJB13
Reviewed by BJB13 from Maryland

3.81/5  rDev +3.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
ENJOY BY 2/12/17 printed on label
11 oz. bottle poured into a narrow mug

Look- Poured a deep coppery brown that lets very little light through. 1 finger of tan head with some fine sticky lacing that quickly reduced to about 1/4 finger but went the distance.
Smell- Typical lager smell, yeast I think. With a moderate aroma of bread and caramel malts and a hint of dark fruit.
Taste- Malty and sweet with just enough hop to balance. Finishes bready and bitter.
Feel- Light to medium in body. Smooth with moderate carbonation.
Overall- Good. I am new to this style and am enjoying it. It's nice to have a dark beer that is lighter than a porter or a stout for a change.

The shorty bottle is cool even though it is only 11 ounces. If drinking these with a friend be sure to look under the cap and play rock, paper, scissors!
Mar 03, 2017
Photo of Scotchboy
Reviewed by Scotchboy from Idaho

3.63/5  rDev -1.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
On tap @ Bardenay, served in a pint glass.

A: Clear dark amber/brown with a fluffy head and tons of lace.

S: Big dark malt component, toasty and sweet. Fruity as well - yeast esters I'm guessing. Clean and inviting.

T: Sweet, bready, fruity, and clean. some chocolate and dark fruits as well.

MF: Light/medium creamy body.

O: This was a surprise. A good, clean dark lager that I could drink a lot of. I really like a lot of the Scwarzbiers I've been able to try.
Feb 17, 2017
 
Rated: 3.58 by Bitburger from Vermont

Feb 04, 2017
Photo of ordybill
Reviewed by ordybill from Georgia

4.35/5  rDev +18.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Poured from a 12 OZ bottle into a pint glass at the World of Beer in Pooler, GA. The appearance is a dark brown to black color with a medium sized off-white head. The aroma is a mostly chocolate with some malt. The taste follows the nose. A very good beer.
Jan 12, 2017
Session Black Lager from Full Sail Brewing Company
Beer rating: 83 out of 100 with 926 ratings