Who Schwarted?
Against The Grain Brewery

Enjoyed on tap at The BeerMongers in Portland, OR; first experience with AtG and first beer from the state of Kentucky
Poured into an imperial pint

O a decent schwarzbier; roasty, with light sweetness to balance it out

Review date: 03.10.14

 

 

Don't be afraid of the dark. Sure, it may look like a bulldog in the glass, but she's simply a pup of a beer!

As the schwarzbier arrives at the table, its dark brown belly seems black until further examination about the edges reveal a tawny cola-like hue. A firm light-tan head caps the glass with a dense blanket of foam. Retaining through the last sip, the ale trails with lacy rings in its wake.

Who Schwarted? smells.... less like a porta-potty and more like a mild stout. Its roasted character is mildly coffee-like with soft underlying caramel notes. Lightly of toasted nuts, charred toast and herbal tea-like hops- the beer's offense is low and its savory darkness is enticing.

To taste, the light sweetness is faintly of caramel, toasted bread and pilsner-esque grain. Its mid-sweet beginning supports the mild char of toast, bittersweet chocolate and walnuts in the middle before fading into a cola-like and tea-like finish.

Medium-light on the palate, the beer's soft carbonation wisps away in the middle and leaves its malty-sweet textures behind to rest on the tongue and continue to balance its soft powdery char. Waivering late, the beer risks falling into thinness and watery proportions that are well-suited to chasing down all those savory smoked meats at their smokehouse.

Call it Guinness-light as the beer is indeed a lager- equipped with the smooth drinkability and its characteristic char.