Schwarzenlager
Little Thistle Brewing Co.

Appearance: Pours a black, nearly completely black color with a strong and massive light tan head that lingers. (4.25)

Aroma: Strong aromas of barley and grains upfront. Roasty cocoa and earthy notes. (4.00)

Flavor: Strong flavors of cocoa with a dark and earthy grain. Moderate roast off the end. Dry, earthy finish. (4.25)

Feel: Medium-bodied, strong carbonation. A soft, fluffy and smooth mouthfeel and a clean, dry finish. (4.50)

Compared to Kostritzer Schwarzbier 2/26: Stronger aromas. More cocoa, similar grains and earth. More roast.

to Little Thistle Mist & Shadow 3/26: Less bitter roast. More dark malt complexity.

to Arbeiter Nacht Rider 3/26: Pours identical, similar aromas. More dark grains. Less sweet dark chocolate and roast. Drier and cleaner.

to Fair State Black PIils 4/26: Stronger aromas. Less floral bitterness. More dark chocolate, roast. Similar.

Overall: Little Thistle Schwarzenlager. My first try at this. It drinks similar. Dry cocoa, earthy dark malts, moderate roast. A nice dark cocoa and roast. This won Bronze in the Schwarzbier style at the 2025 GABF. Excellent representation of the style. (Rating: 4.22)

16oz can. No dating information found.
Dark cola brown body color. One thick finger of light tan colored head, and this becomes a thin cap and higher ring. After the top foam ring is left behind the remaining laced areas grow toward the bottom of the glass. Foam cap rides down to the bottom of the glass.
Aroma of dark roasted barley malts, vanilla, and chocolate.
Taste is dark roasted malts with a touch of char, with background flavors of chocolate and a little vanilla. Aftertaste revives the roasted malt flavors.
Medium mouthfeel. Sweet with a slight bitter note from the roasted malts. Creamy, with a clean finish. Very good carbonation.
2021 GABF Bronze Medal Winner: German Dark Lager. Good melding between the sweet malt and the bitter roast.