Let's Talk About Schwarzbier

I feel like I'm @marquis , making the same posts over and over (), but Xingu isn't a Schwarzbier. It's a black lager (for lack of a better category). I think the mistake that many people make is that they see the category that a beer is listed under on BeerAdvocate, and they think that that beer is that style (as opposed to no more than the best category available). I might be remembering incorrectly, but I seem to think that you were on a "try all BeerAdvocate styles quest." If so, try ticking that style with something else in order to actually tick that style... like the Kostritzer mentioned many times here. Cheers.

 

Yup, I'm at 101 of 104 styles. When I looked for a Schwarzbier, Xingu was the most easily attainable here. Does the style need to be changed on BA? Of course that would temporarily drop me back one, but wouldn't be the first one that's changed on me. I see there's no black lager to change it to, so not sure what it should be then. I note that many of the beers listed on BA as Schwarzbier have "Black Lager" in the name.

 

I personally wouldn’t change it... I think that people shouldn’t look at classifications here so strictly across the board in this very way. My two cents.

 

what is a "Euro dark lager " ? Other, doesn't fit anywhere else, Open class

 

I'm tracking my quest based on styles listed on BA and how the beers are classified on BA, but will sure try to find a real Schwarzbier at some point. Perhaps BA will rename this style to Schwarzbier/Black Lager when they review the styles as they've indicated they intend to do, but for god's sake we sure don't need any more new styles.

 

Says the guy at 101 out of 104.

 

This is also why I think Czech Dark Lagers should get their own category, as they have a unique style and heritage from Schwarzbier or generic dark lagers in general. Plus, Czech Pilsner is lonely in the Czech Lager category.

 

I love me a good schwarzbier - it's a shame they are relatively hard to come by.

 

Our Fastenbier rides the rails between Franconian Dunkel and Czech dark lager. Quite happy with the way this year's version turned out. At just around 5.0% ABV, drinkability VERY high. Prost!

 

Remember have a Herold Bohemian years ago and it was pretty amazing. It was like liquid pumpernickel.

 

Around here it's St. Pauli Girl Dark.

 

I don't know if this is getting to far away from the discussion.

But is there a difference between Franconian Dunkel and Munich Dunkel?

A local brewery that I always think should have excellent German beers always seems to strike out with me.

One of there beers is a "Dunkel" so I'm always primed for the rich bready dark fruits that I get out of Munich Dunkels. But there version tastes more like a stout.

I've always thought if it was called a Schwarzbier I may be in the right frame of mind.
But are Franconian Dunkels different from Munich Dunkels? Are they more roasty?

 

B52 is a small brewery north of Houston. They made an amazing Schwarzbier and at 4% ABV was ridiculously sessionable. I haven't seen it at all lately, as they are now just doing all the trendy styles people line up for. I think they have really cut back on their more traditional offerings. Sad face for me, but I guess they are doing what is making money and generating hype

 

I’m assuming homebrew?
Schlenkerla Fastenbier is amazing and this is the second Lent in a row I haven’t seen it around my parts. Little off topic, sorry.

 

Thanks, I hadn’t realized. Not a lot of ratings, but seems like people are digging it.