Drinking Schwarzbiers

Death & Taxes Black Beer...the standard of all American Schwartzbiers. This stuff has been around longer than most of you!

 

I was just going to say Death & Taxes, you beat me to it. Couldn't agree more!

 

Jacks Abby for me...

http://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/26520/79012/

 

Interesting to hear Schwarzbiers are plentiful in other US regions - they're downright hard to find here in New England, let alone good ones.

 

Best one I've had is from Metropolitan in Chicago. They exclusively brew German lagers and do a great job

 

I will second both the Great Raft Reasonably Corrupt and Devil's Backbone Schwarzbier. Those are two of the best American versions of the style that I have had.

 

Duck Rabbit's Schwarzbier is pretty good.

 

Sprecher's Black Bavarian is a favorite of mine.

 

Second the Uinta Baba Black lager - tasty and affordable.
Also, Kostritzer is great too

 

Have to agree with this.

 

Yeah, I'm very surprised to see that others have access to beers like this with no issue. I can count on one hand the number of American Schwarzbiers that I've seen. You'd be very lucky to find a less-than-one-year-old import other than Kostritzer (if you can even find that). Many of the American brands are of the non-boutique variety (Sam Adams, Saranac) and are still really hard to find around here regardless. Sprecher used to be around here but has been long gone. My main shop is a very well-respected place with lots of options... recently, a customer came in asking for Xingu, and there was literally nothing the employee could recommend as a substitute. Having a beer like Midnight Sun's Brewtality as the No. 1 Schwarzbier on this site is evidence that "craft beer" is becoming a parody of itself. Mönchshof is indeed a must-try.

 

I've been drinking a Schawrzbier fairly often one of my favorite watering holes has a house brewed one. Its great to sit outside in this Fall chilliness, sip on them, and have some good conversation.

 

Best one I've had is Bauhaus' Stargrazer. Crazy good Schwarzbier. It's only available in Minnesota I'm pretty sure, but I order a 6 pack every once in a while from South Lyndale Liquors.

 

Sam Adams Black lager is everywhere and it is very good.

 

Also if anyone has tried brooklyn new winter seasonal -Insulated Ale. Really nice malty dark lager.

 

I don't really see that as a great example of a schwarzbier however. Way too much hops. That being said, it is a REALLY good beer.

I have heard of an elusive smokeless dagger from Jack's Abby. Would LOVE to try that.

 

Both Duck Rabbits and Westbrooks Schwarzbiers seem a little bit heavy for the style, almost leaning into porter territory...

 

I am fortunate that brewpubs local to me brew quality Schwarzbiers on a rotating basis. Two that immediately jump to mind are Iron Hill and my local Rock Bottom brewpub.

The local Rock Bottom calls their Schwarzbier Nevermore Lager. It is on tap right now:

“Nevermore
A German styled Schwarzbier or black lager. This dark style features a full roast flavor and light body.
OG: 14.9° ABV: 5.4% BU: 28
Small /$4.25
RB True Pint/$5.75
Big @ss Mug/ $7.75”

http://www.rockbottom.com/locations/king-of-prussia/beers

They won a GABF Silver medal for this beer in 2011.

Cheers!

 

Should be easy to acquire: this guy

 

Both Schell's and Bauhaus's from MN are quite good, imho. I'm loving the fact that we're seeing more and more of this style here in the Upper Midwest.