Homebrewers Series: Use The Schwarz
Twelve Percent Beer Project

 

Poured into a Seattle Beer Week pint glass. Pours a very dark mahogany brown with little light transmission in the glass and a three finger khaki head with great retention and nice lacing. Aroma of dark toasted malt, grassy hops, mild citrus, coffee and cocoa. Flavor follows, with moderate dark toasted malt, light grassy hops, cocoa, coffee and some citrus zest appearing in the finish. Medium bodied with light to moderate creaminess. A quite nicely brewed schwarzbier, hitting all the flavors I'd like in the style and adding a little citrus that is not to style, but fits the other flavors well. The flavor is solid in the main taste, then tapers off into the finish, but leaving a long lingering, lightly smoky coffee dark toasted malt taste that is very appealing. I guess this is a homebrewer recipe that Twelve Percent is presenting and it is a very good one. I'd like to see more from this series.

I rate 75% of Scharzbiers above the BA average, but rarely drink them again. This from Twelve Percent I might have again as it is particularly well done for a novice brewer and would like to see how it has improved two years hence.

Use The Schwarz Looks opaque like its style, but needs more foam to get above the average. Smells are subtle licorice and dark malts and notes of decent dessert elements (without added sugar.) Most those elements appear in the Taste, but the hops appear in mid-palate and it does finish nicely dry. And the lack of foam gives it a soft medium-mouth.

My first from Twelve Percent, I went on their website... which is quite basic. But they also brew and sell coffee and their taproom has some 16 taps with a few guests I identify vaguely from that region and probably associated with Twelve Percent. So in addition to starting this Homebrewers Series, Twelve Percent seems to be doing collaborative stuff which tends to help young brewers grow. So, I will try to revisit two years hence to see progress in their lineup and their website. Collaborative Cheers !

Released June 2022; drank 11/9/22 @ the Yarchives.

Opaque dark brown appearance.

A violent pour yielded a huge tan head; thick, frothy tree-rung lace.

Marshmallow, light roast coffee bean, mild chocolate & faint smoke notes in the nose.

Creamy medium mouthfeel.

Chocolate, marshmallow, mild light roast coffee bean & faint smoke flavors.

Rich but easy to drink; great late fall vibes here. Well done!

 

Single can from Jungle Jim's
Dark brown color with a thick dense head, good retention.
Aroma of burnt and roasted malt. Taste follows suit with a real dry and slightly moderately bitter finish.