Let's Talk About Schwarzbier

My favorite imported ‘Czech’ Pilsner is Golden Pheasant (Zlaty Bazant). I used quotes with the word Czech since technically this is a Slovak beer.

I have not seen fresh Golden Pheasant in many years. My last purchase of Golden Pheasant (about 5 years ago?) was a case (when you had to buy by the case in PA) and unfortunately that case of beer was not fresh. I ended up drain pouring over a half-case of those beers.

Finding fresh European beers can be quite challenging. I must give kudos to the Pilsner Urquell folks. They clearly date (9 month best by duration) their beers and the vast majority of the time they are within code at my local beer retailers. I have three cans of PU in my fridge; they have a best by date of SEP 15 2018.

PU is not my favorite imported Bohemian Pilsner but since I can find it fresh…

I am reminded of the song lyrics: “And if you can't be with the one you love honey
Love the one you're with”

Cheers!

P.S. My favorite Bohemian Pilsner is my homebrewed Bohemian Pilsner – wonderful aromas/flavors of Czech Saaz hops balanced pleasingly by a deep malty flavor.

 

Thanks for the tips and words of encouragement!

 

I would like to receive your newsletter as well.

 

since we have a small latitude on the style, I am having a Koosbacher Schwarze Weisse,liking it.Cheers

 

So I went back to look at it - it was not by him, but Jeff Alworth. It was focused on U Fleku, but it also listed the 3 American brewed beers that he thought were close:

Penn Dark https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/125/383/
Wibby Moondoor Dunkel https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/41947/185781/
Full Sail Session Dark (still listed on here as Session Black) https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/5316/50740/

 

My guess would be that many German versions are coloured with Sinamar.

 

Franconian versions are much more bitter than Munich ones.

 

I wouldn't trust anything written by Horst Dornbusch. He's totally clueless.

 

I used to buy a six of that one 2-3 times a year. I almost bought the mixed pack for it, but most of the others were always pretty disappointing

 

Ron, you are very consistent in this matter.

Except that in this post you didn't use the word 'bollocks'.

Cheers!

 

I've mellowed. Had a discussion on Twitter yesterday about Kölsch without losing my rag. That's a first.

 

Ah, maturity has arrived!?!

Cheers!

 

Kostritzer is the standard for me. If I can't get it, I have to fallback on Shiner Bohemian Black Lager.

 

In Germany, Schwarzbier was mainly popular in East Germany & Bavaria.
I associate typical Schwarzbier more with Mocha, Rye Bread & Licquorice flavors, while Czech Tmavy tends to go more into the bitter coffee route with a cleaner finish and it's usually a bit lighter than Schwarzbier.

My local Brewery Störtebeker does a really solid Schwarzbier.

 

Sam Adams Black lager is very good.
Von Trapp Trosten Bier is excellent if you can get one.

 

Eddyline Jolly Roger is delicious. @Wasatch .

 

Eddyline makes some pretty tasty brews, and reasonably priced. I'm a fan.

Cheers!

 

All this talk of Czech Dark Lagers must be stirring up some positive vibrations out there: just this past weekend I ran across some Bernard Dark Lager pretty much out of the blue. I don't think I've ever even seen that one before in NJ. Damn fine beer, too, with a pretty substantial spicy/earthy hop kick to it.

 

Michael, was that beer on draft or bottled. If bottled, how old was the beer?

Cheers!