Schwarzbier Recommendations

This one is local to me. It's ok.
http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/3340/22282/

I do want to try more varieties of this style though.

 

Sprecher Black Bavarian.

 

Monschshof is great, and it's got some dark fruit qualities from the yeast along with the dark malts that keep it interesting from glass to glass.

Kostritzer is another classic, a little more streamlined- plus it comes in Mini-kegs!!!

Also look into Czech Dark Lagers- they are very similar stylistically- Czechvar Dark, for example.

 

I enjoy Uinta's Baba Black Lager quite a lot; it's nicely flavorful at a mere 4% abv. http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/1416/73965/

When I can find it, I also dig Monchshof Schwarzbier: http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/412/2409/

 

Jack's Evil Brew by Jack's Abby/Evil Twin. So good =)

 

Kostritzer for sure.

Saranac does one beer right. Black Forest Lager. Shining example IMO

 

Schlafly Sessions Black Lager Swarzbier

 

I second Köstritzer. BrewDog Zeitgeist is quite lovely.

 

Westbrook Dark Helmet
Saranac Black Forest - way underrated IMO
Jacks Abbey/Evil Twin

Saranac should be the easiest to obtain...everyone with a New York tag has access to thousands of gallons of it at any time. They actually give it to you as change at the toll booths when entering the state...

 

Devil's Backbone makes a good one.

 

Oh, and Gordon Biersch's really isn't bad if you get it at one of their brewery/restaurants.

 

Well, you could start here and work your way through:

http://beeradvocate.com/lists/style/31/

 

Westbrook Dark Helmet is good, though a little heavy for the style
Saranac Black Forest is actually pretty good even though it is rated low
Uinta BaBa Black Lager is pretty good
Kostritzer is very good

I think that Schwarzbier is a misunderstood style by most craft beer drinkers, too many think that it should be heavy, full bodied and roasty like a stout or porter

 

Here in Michigan my favorite was Black Sustenance by Short's hands down. Now just have to grab the occasional bottles of BB Black Sustenance when available since the regular is no longer in bottles. Still a great beer but this is one I feel doesn't need the barrel to be a great beer on its own.

 

Great Raft Brewing here in Shreveport, LA has a great schwarzbier, Reasonably Corrupt. Cans will be available soon and I'd be glad to send you a few if you're interested.

 

Agreed. Sprecher Black Bavarian was number one on here for a long time (and the only beer by them I've ever recommended to anyone). Looks like Midnight Sun bumped them to number two, but the Sprecher is going to be way easier to get.

 

Sam Adams Black Lager isn't too bad at all and should be available.

 

The Monchshof is really the best in my opinion. Just an awesome easy-to-drink beer with tons of flavor. It generally isn't too hard to get a hold of either and the price point isn't that bad.

 

My favorite Schwarzbier is Duck Rabbit's. I'm not sure how far Sprecher distributes, but the Black Bavarian from them is solid (and cheap).