German Schwarzbier

I was introduced to the Wooly Pig Brewery, in Ohio, by @WesMantooth . Everything I've had has been top notch, and their Schwartzbier is addictive. Iirc, he told me that the owner/brewer used to work at Uinta, and may have even come up with the recipe for Baba.

 

I hope you like it! It’s hard not to (IMO).

 

I’ve only had two of their beers. One was Nightshine and one was a mixed fermentation, oak aged saison that was delightful.

Both were on tap in NYC. But I rarely see their beers. Would love to try more. Not exactly two of the most popular styles and both were great.

I’ll need to keep my eyes peeled for some Czech black lager.

 

An excellent example is brewed by Duck-Rabbit Brewery from North Carolina. As this is seasonal, it should be available this summer - the brewery refers to this lager as "black pils."

 

Even better! I am a fan of Tmavý Ležák (Czech Dark Lager) beers!!

Na Zdravie!

 

Oh yeah, if it's on draught, then kegs do make it down to the city. For me, they've been on my radar for a few years now because they're located up near my parents in western Sullivan county- and what a great pleasure it was to discover them. So much of their stuff is right in my wheelhouse, and incredibly well made; I'm particularly fond of the lagers and wild/sour beers. They also do a killer Pils, and the Flanders Red is reminiscent of Rodenbach Vintage. All coming out of this sort of forgotten part of the state- it's kind of crazy and wonderful.

The Czech Black Lager that I used to adore was Herold, but I haven't seen it in years, maybe even a decade. I'm still holding out hope that they make their way back to these shores again- it may have been before their time previously .

 

Michael, my memory is about 10 years as well. I used to be able to buy Herold beers at my 'local' Total Wine & More (Claymont, DE) but they chose to no longer carry those beers.

Cheers!

@RobH

 

A quick google search and that label does not look familiar to me. Would be great to try that beer.

 

I’ve never been to Rock Bottom but our local Iron Hill (another regional brewpub chain) recently put out A Storm of Swords schwarzbier as a part of their Game of Thrones inspired beers. It was actually much better than I was expecting and worthy of the name (A Storm of Swords is probably my favorite book in the ASOIAF series...thus far).


I slightly disagree with your assessment of Smoke & Dagger. I recently had this beer for the first time in several years and I was quite surprised and how much smoke character it has now. Back around 2012 I remember it drinking like a schwarzbier with just a hint of smoked malt; now it drinks like a full on (dark) rauchbier with just a hint of its former schwarzbier characteristics. Still an enjoyable beer but I kinda liked it when the smoke was more subdued (and this is coming from a HUGE rauchbier fan). Granted this was a fresh can, perhaps the smoke flavor fills out with a bit of age.

Cheers

 

This is correct. Baba was his recipe and a great beer. And his Schwarz now is his best beer, and it holds up with any German version I have had so far. Though those are hard to come by here. Conversely, a black lager in general is not as many of the central Ohio breweries make one, and most are fairly decent.

 

It has been a few years since I had Smoke & Dagger. When I had it (bottles) the smoke content was subtle for my palate. Maybe over the past couple of years they 'upped' the smoke aspect?

Thanks for your input here.

Cheers!

 

@TongoRad Here is another one that is still draft only, but when I come across it at the brewery where they have crowlers, you can do an Ohio side by side.

 

I recently went through a sixer of cans and was pleasantly surprised with the smoke character. It did seem to have a touch more 'oomph', although the beer wasn't all that much different in the end. Maybe freshness does seem to have something to do with it; or if it's been tweaked it was just by a slight amount. I like it better now, though .

 

Wow! That would totally make my day, man, truly!

 

Locally, La Cumbre and Bosque have done some really nice ones.

 

Definitely a favorite style that seems to be rising a bit in popularity. I will have to check out xingu, I've definitely seen it around but never gave it another thought, sorta assumed it was like sapporo or something.

 

I remember buying sixers of the Sam Adams Black Lager routinely back in 2012-13. Disappointing that it was discontinued.

 

I just popped in here to praise Moonlight's Death & Taxes. An old favorite, and until recently draft-only.

 

I used to enjoy Köstritzer, but it disappeared from all the stores in my neighborhood and haven’t seen it since last fall. The other Bitburger Group beers like Bitburger and Benediktiner have stayed, so I don’t exactly what happened to it.