Dornbusch Winter Night Lager
Dornbusch Brewing Company

I was skepticle about this one, but it turned out a delight. This is a winter seasonal, and this review comes in July, but I find the taste is solid but the head may have suffered. The head was dark while it lasted, but quickly shrunk out of sight with a nearly black, beautiful colour. The brew smelled of dark malts and earthy tones. The taste was a treat with roasted malts and hop oils, nothing fancy, just earthy goodness. This brew drank real slick with slight carbonation and dry finish. I nearly finished the beer before the review. Great toasted malt that that drinks slick and fast. I wish I discovered this in December. Cheers.

Ordered on-tap @ Cambridge Commons. A pitch black beer with brown hues running along the edges. Head = 100% flat and disappointing. Aromas consist of light acrid, grain and light floral hops. Flavours run slightly acrid (black malt) as well, mild actually, with a smooth mouthfeel, slight twang and touch of fruity flavour (grape-like). Hops are herbal-like/minty and blend nicely with the earthy semi-astringent malt characters. Grainy finish, and a bit dry.

Still an exceptional Schwarzbier IMO, and a beer that I look forward to each winter now. I knocked the appearance because of the head.

Presentation: 12oz brown long neck bottle. No freshness date.

Appearance: Pretty opaque with reddish brown hues. Excellent head ... off-white, creamy, clingy and retains very well.

Smell: Light dark malts, freshly milled grain and earth notes in the nose.

Taste: Smooth mouthfeel. Mildly astringent roasted malt and hop get pulled to the front by a refreshing crispness and tight carbonation, to create a nice bite. Background of minty citric hop flavours, and some rind, follow immediately after. Hop oil notes give a nice slickness to the mouthfeel. Earth and grain malt flavours towards the end, and as the beer warms with a side of semi acrid burnt malt character. Malt sweetness is low, but what is there is complex; watery tea-like infusion with hints of raw molasses. Finishes dry and with more grain notes on the palate.

Notes: The way a Schwarz beer should be. Earns big points due to its being so refreshing and drinkable. It's an outstanding seasonal, and should be proof to the world that lagers are ideal in the winter, as they are the rest of the year.