Bootlegger Black Lager
Speakeasy Ales & Lagers

 

Draft pour in a pilsner glass at a local eatery.

White foam with a black coal color and nice retention.

The aroma consists of black licorice, dark fruits, coffee and roasted malts.

Coffee tasting with a spiciness/peppery kick on the swallow. Also picking up some smokey and roasty characteristics. Reminds me of camp-fire times. Slightly bitter aftertaste.

Thin watery mouthfeel.

Was really hoping for something more from the initial appearance. Not overally impressed.

Enjoyed on 07.27.09 (my birthday!) at JJ Brewsky's in Camarillo, CA. On-tap delivered in a 14oz pint glass ($3 American pint night!).

A: Poured w/ very little head, though I think it sat on the bar for a bit. Decent lacing nonetheless. Color was slightly opaque brown-black.

S: Slightly sweet aroma.

T & M: Nice hint of tobacco, coffee and toasted malts. Quite light-bodied. It's a schwarzbier, but still nicely-bodied. Some chocolate in there, and certainly some sweetness from the malt. I expected more dry hops, but alas.

D: Good taste and was very drinkable, and I would definitely drink this again, but I feel there are better schwarzbiers out there.

Reviewed on 06/21/2009. I had this on draft. This beer pours black with a small head. The aroma is of roasted malt and burnt malt notes. It was not very pleasant. The flavor is no better-- iced tea and sweet malt. Overall, I found this bland and not very good.

Consumed 11/01/08 at Blue Palms, Hollywood, CA.

Beer is a very deep, clear brown with muted garnet highlights. A foamy, one-finger tan head provides plentiful lacing.

Aroma of wet pennies and a little sugary smoke.

Flavor is meaty nuts and smoky. Roasted dark malt character. Slightly sweet. Finishes fairly clean with minimal bitterness.

Mouthfeel is highilighted by a welcome carbonation tingle on the tongue.

This beer got better as it warmed slightly. I could go for another one of these!

On tap at Beachwood BBQ in Seal Beach. Drunk while devouring a very tasty seared albacore sandwich. By the way, this is one great bbq place.

A: Standard dark black semi-thin looking body with a 1/2 finger head that unfortunately doesn't really stick around.

S: I don't get too much here, aside from a bit of chocolate and whatnot. Then again, I don't get much smell from most schwarzbiers.

T: Nice. It's an interesting, and pretty well done, take on a schwarzbier. Most interestingly, I found it to have a bit of wheat-like character. Think of the wheat character found in most German wheat beers, but applied to a black lager. This, combined with some chocolate flavors and just a bit of roastiness, made for a unique and delicious beer.

M: Light in body, although at least medium bodied for the style. If anything, I'd say it actually leans toward the heavy end for schwarzbiers. Although, I haven't had enough to say something like that with absolute certainty.

D: Makes for a great session beer. Lower alcohol, but with enough flavor to keep you interested.

Recommended, if you have the chance.

On-tap as guest beer at Magnolia's in SF.

Pour: draught to imperial pint glass. Came to the table with about 1/4 inch light tan head over a big black body with ruby highlights. The head was gone quickly and left excellent lacings. The beer was too dark to see any bubbles.

Nose: Full of sweet fruits and plums, soft malt body, herbal like clover and grass, vanilla and buttery with a hint of cinnamon.

Mouth: Up front this beer is plain but soothing, more butter and some floral notes. Finish is toasty malts, bread, with an enjoyable burnt toast aftertaste that lasts forever. The flavors of this beer peak mid-mouth with a combo of fruit & grass, malt & hops. Good combination but too short lived - doesn't draw the whole mouth into it. The mouthfeel starts off well but finishes very weak.

White creamy thick haze over a dark black but watery body. Nose is watery and nondescript at first and subdued malty grains later.

Taste is toasty graham and light sweetness, both dying in the mouth fairly quickly. Unflavorful grains mixed with mild bittering hops. Lightly sour. Nice complete brew from Speakeasy -- reminded me of a light Moonlight Death and Taxes.