German Schwarzbier

I'm a bigger dunkel fan, but I love a good Schwarzbier, too. My fave is Schwarzla from Klosterbrau in Bamberg. For readily available German examples, there's nothing wrong with Kostritzer and Monchschof. I haven't had one in a while, but Sprecher's Black Bavarian used to be a regular purchase. While a little different, there's nothing wrong with 1554 and Xingu.

 

Beside's the classics, I think Uinta's Baba Back Lager is a great version of the style. It has the right amount of flavor, lightness and drinkability without seeming like a black and tan or watered down in anyway. I've tried to use Negra Modelo as a replacement when I cant get a good Shwarz ( a mistake, i know) and i find it and others tend to be too watery.

 

Kostritzer is my favorite of the German "big breweries". They do a good enough job.

On the US craft side of things, Tired Hands Trendler Schwarzbier was really great. My favorite more easily attainable ones are:

• Full Sail Session Black (haven't seen in a while)
  
• Magic Hat Howl (haven't seen in a while)
  
• Sam Adams Black Lager

 

Schwarzbier is a favorite style of mine. Locally I like Rahr and Sons Ugly Pug and Pegasus City's Texicaner Black Lager.

I prefer the drier versions that are more like a pilsner with roastiness. I'm not as big of a fan of the versions that use Munich malt to get a sweeter finish.

I drank a lot of Kostritzer in Germany. I don't think we have many imported versions here in North Texas.


For locally brewed versions I think it's a shame that they seem to be hard to keep in production. Over the last year or so I've lost 2 good ones.

The closest brewery to me discontinued theirs and it was a beer I drank most times I went there. I've started mixing their light lager and stout for a 5.4% ABV approximation of a Schwarzbier.

 

I also always grab a schwarzbier [or black lager] when I see them. The good ones have a nice roastiness but still retain a refreshingly light and clean character. I really like them.

+1 Monchschof is great.

I also really like Shiner Black Lager and Brooklyn Winter Lager.

Although not classified as a schwarzbier DAB Dark hits the same targets for me (roasty, dark, light-feeling lager) and is really good in my opinion. DAB is easy on the wallet too.

For some reason I don't like Kostritzer much. Different strokes...

 

Just like @tzieser I am a fan of Tired Hands Trendler Schwarzbier - that is a high quality beer IMO.

In the past I was a BIG fan of my local Rock Bottom's Schwarzbier of Nevermore; they won GABF medals for this beer. Unfortunately my Rock Bottom closed a couple/few years ago.

Jack's Abby makes a tasty beer of Smoke & Dagger which is classified as a Rauchbier on BA but this beer is more Scharzbier for my palate: "Cloaked in mystery, this dark black beer skirts the line between a schwarzbier and smoked porter. The use of a small percentage of traditional Beechwood smoked malt adds complexity and balances the liberal use of chocolate malt. Notes of roasted grains, beechwood smoke,and coffee accompany a full bodied-and sweet chocolately malt character. Smoke & Dagger uses locally grown unmalted barley from MA.

25 IBU"

Cheers!

 

Gonna add on to those mentioning Kostritzer and Monchschof. Any time is a great time for either of those two.

 

I've found a lot of American brewers go heavy on the roast/smoke. Will have to try this Monschof; apparently its available here

 

No German Schwartzbiers in town currently but I really loved the Deschutes Bell's collaboration. That felt and tasted authentic.

 

Sprecher Black Bavarian for U.S. brewed.

Probably the first micro-brewed beer I ever tried -- somewhere back in the mid-80s (when it was cool to show off with a very dark beer in your mitt).

 

Here in Houston we get the Kostrizer and Colbitzer imports, the latter being surprisingly good given how mediocre their Pils is. There's also an area brewery, Back Pew, that makes a solid version called Black Habit. We can also get a couple other 2 Texas-brewed schwarzbiers, but IMO they are not worth recommending.

The best American schwarzbier I have had, by far, is also the highest-rated one on BA. A fantastic beer.

 

Xingu. (It's well documented that I don't get out much.)

 

I can remember when Xingu was the big thing back in the late 80s (early 90s?) -- every bar and store had to have it. Thing is -- it was actually pretty good. Haven't had it in forever, probably worth a taste for old-time sake.

 

Not brewed much any more but always loved Saranac Black Forest.

 

Kulmbacher - Monschoff is my all time favorite. Plenty of others, but honorable mention in non-classic category goes to Xingu.

 

I love me a good Schwarz. Luckily, I've got the likes of Heater Allen and Zoigl that pump out stellar local, yet classic examples annually. If you're ever in Portland (at the right time), drinks on me! Prost

 

Köstritzer is available here and such an amazing price. I want to say $4.99 or $5.99 for a 4-pack of 16oz cans. Hard to pass up when in the mood for this style.

I also had one from Catskill (not sure where in NY you are or their distro) and I thought it was very good. It was called Nightshine.

I don’t have access to this beer and I’ve only had it once, but Alchemist Dark is an amazing beer. I would try to seek out that beer again if I could.

Does anyone know if Von Trapp makes one? I checked the database and their website but nothing listed.

 

I am looking forward to trying this beer!

Cheers!

 

Catskill Nightshine is amazing! The brewery is expanding, so I'm hoping to be able to get their cans a little closer to home soon enough. I think right now their stuff can only be had within Sullivan and Orange counties.

But beers like that, or Moonlight Death and Taxes, remind me more of Czech black lagers than Schwartzbiers (if that kind of thing matters in this thread ).