Let's Talk About Schwarzbier

We could also add all the other "styles" of Czech Pils with their varying degrees of ABV's to beef up that section as well.

Just another example of how the "hype" is kicking other styles off the beer lists at US breweries.

I've seen this mentioned a few times, I always thought it was a Czech Dark Lager?

Smoke and Dagger is supposed to have a subtle smoky character to it, but I've never picked that up in this beer. In fact, it may have even been listed as a Rauchbier at one point.

I recall liking it, but the ABV is a bit too high for what I want in a Schwarzbier. I've always thought of this style as Germany's equivalent to a Dry Irish Stout. A roasty, low ABV, sessionable beer.

Apparently either the brewer and/or the bars do as well. It's often on "nitro" when served at local bars.

 

Honestly until I read this thread I hadn't heard of the term Czech Dark Lager. They just call it "Black Lager", but more stats on their webpage:
http://www.uintabrewing.com/products/baba

"This black lager has flavors of dark coffee, chocolate, and subtle wood smoke. Our black sheep’s color stands out and leads the herd in drinkability.

4.0% ABV, 38 IBU, SRM 52.0

Ingredients:
Caramunich, Carafa, Chocolate
Hallertau Tradition, Sterling"

They enter it as a Schwarzbier at beer festivals:

 

I have only been to the Czech Republic for short trips, but have had a few. Kozel, Krušovice, and U Flecku. They are known as tmavý ležák for the lower gravity ones, and tmavé speciální pivo for the stronger versions.

That ingredient list is missing the base malt(s), it would be hard to brew a beer with all specialty malts. The bas malts would be Pils, a Munich, or a combination.

 

A very interesting thread, a few comments/questions::
One thing I like about Schwarzbiers is the roasted flavor without or less coffee element in the flavor. Anybody else notice this?

Which area of Germany or Czech republic generally has the most roasted flavor in there Schwarzbiers?

Do Czech Republic Schwarzbiers tend to have a hint of smoke flavor? What about a little dark fruit too?

I have never been to Czech Republic and I have never drank any or very few of there imported Schwarzbiers here in the states.
But back in the mid 80's thru the mid 90's I drank some odd beers from Germany or possibly Czech Republic. I don't remember most of them. One I do remember was Kropf dark in the mini kegs. I remember it being smooth and sweet and somewhat roasty maybe a little dark fruit too.

 

Metropolitan has Magnetron, and it is a beautiful thing.

 

Last summer we stopped by Tired Hands while on vacation. Out of the hand full of beers I tried I like thier Schwarzbier the best, left with a growler of it.

https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/28383/292354/

 

I have had the pleasure of drinking two cans of Tired Hand Schwarzbier. It was indeed a very tasty Schwarzbier.

Cheers!

 

Kostritzer I enjoyed before I joined any beer group but haven't seen in years, hence my lack of a review. It was glorious.

Your last statement I don't get. Kölsch is not one of your favourite styles, I'm guessing?

 

Is this style anything like Euro Dark Lager? I once had U Fleku which is the highest rated beer in the EDL style (un-weighted). I tried many others once I got back to the states and came up empty handed. Maybe schwarzbier is the way to go.

If you are ever in Prague, stop by U Fleku, and you'll be in for a treat!

 

Different strokes for different folks, I reckon. Sometimes I just really dig the more subtle but just as enjoyable stuff. I'm guessing you do too.

 

Monchshof Schwarzbier for me. It's the only one I've bought multiple times, but I'm no expert on the style. It is very good, and easily approachable.

I snuck a bottle into my brothers (not into craft beer) house last month for a birthday party, and left it on his counter when my wife and I left the next morning. He hasn't said anything to me about it yet.

We are headed back to his place in April, so I'll find out then whether he drank it, or I'll have an extra bottle to drink that night.

 

I could crawl in the bottle of a good schwarzbier, but as many people has mentioned on the thread, they're very hard to come by. Not too long ago I picked up an Einbecker schwarzbier and was pleasantly surprised. Another one that I had recently was Kaiserdom which my friend sent me from Japan, liter can and all.

This is a style I don't hesitate to pick up when I'm beer shopping if I see one I haven't tried before. Unfortunately I get burned more times than not because I mostly find imports that aren't that fresh, and not enough American breweries make a good schwarzbier. In fact, Westbrook Dark Helmet and Sprecher are the only two American craft versions of which I know outside of the occasionally tap only offerings at micro-breweries

 

Apparently still is https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/26520/71501/.

Another example which I haven't seen mentioned yet is Von Trapp Trosten, which I really enjoyed.

 

Both of those are definitely smoked beers . Very nice ones, too.