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Sprecher Black Bavarian
Glendale, Wisconsin
BJCP Category: 4C Schwarzbier
Sprecher Brewing Co. <visit site>
37
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[expand]Total Score: 37/50
A dark lager that could pass as a sweet stout or robust porter. The dark malt is too assertive with burnt notes for a best example of the Schwarzbier style. more >
[close]Total Score: 37/50
Aroma: Light, roasted malt aroma up front. No hop aroma. No DMS. No diacetyl. Clean, lager fermentation without fruity esters. (10/12)
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Appearance: Black with brown tinges. Bright clarity but nearly opaque. Dense brown head with adequate retention. Very nice looking beer. (3/3)
Flavor: Sweet caramel malt with noticeable roasted malt character exhibiting burnt malt notes of black malt, not really appropriate to the style. Substantial hop bitterness balances the malt sweetness. No hop flavor. Dark malts result in dark fruit notes of currants and dates but no fermentation esters. Sweetness up front yields to a dry finish from hops and roast malts. No diacetyl or DMS. Alcohol not noticeable. (14/20)
Mouthfeel: Medium to medium-full body. Initial creamy mouthfeel finishes with a dryness that verges on astringent. Low alcohol warming. (3/5)
Overall Impression: A dark lager that could pass as a sweet stout or robust porter. The dark malt is too assertive with burnt notes for a best example of the Schwarzbier style. Still very enjoyable. Would be nicely paired with roast pork or wild game. (7/10) -
[expand]Total Score: 37/50
Malt presentation is a little less sweet than expected, with a more pronounced smoked roast than coffee like. more >
[close]Total Score: 37/50
Aroma: Moderate sweet chocolate caramel malt aroma, like a dark chocolate covered caramel. No hop aroma detected, nor any esters or off aromas. Very clean ferment. (10/12)
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Appearance: Deep brown-black with garnet highlights. Brilliant clarity. Biscuity tan head forms of fine, tight bubbles to one-third of glass, then slowly dissipates, leaving a delicate lace on the sides of the glass. (3/3)
Flavor: Chocolate roasty malt flavor, more chocolate than coffee. Roast character rather pronounced in the flavor, a bit smoky even, drying mid-palate and finish. Very low hop bitterness with very low spicy hop flavor. Balance is toward the roasty malt, with some caramel sweetness coming forward as the beer warms a bit. Clean finish with lingering roasty, dry smokiness that is a little stout-like. (13/20)
Mouthfeel: Medium body with moderate carbonation, and slightly astringent finish. No alcoholic warmth or other harshness. (4/5)
Overall Impression: Malt presentation is a little less sweet than expected, with a more pronounced smoked roast than coffee like. The caramel sweetness balances out as the beer warms a bit, and allows the spicy hop flavor to come forward, reminiscent of cinnamon coffee, though not as sweet. A lovely accompaniment to alder or fruitwood smoked salmon or ploughman’s lunch. (7/10) -
[expand]Total Score: 39/50
Very enjoyable beer with a ton of malt flavor and complexity. Even now, the head is still standing, which speaks to the excellent conditioning. more >
[close]Total Score: 39/50
Aroma: Roasty notes up front, followed by rich chocolate, toffee and caramel. There is a light fruitiness along with some alcohol, both of which are a little higher than most German examples of this style. I also get some faint citrus notes, but cannot tell if they are from hops or esters. (9/12)
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Appearance: Deep brown color, creamy beige head with impressive retention. Clarity is also on the money. (3/3)
Flavor: Rich, delicious maltiness that takes the palate on a journey from sweet caramel through dark chocolate, ending with a solid roasty finish. These malt flavors are accompanied by blackberry and stone fruit notes—not as much as in a Baltic Porter, but treading dangerously close to the dividing line between ale and lager. Just enough hops to provide enough bitterness to balance the malt. Seems a little big for style, but has some luscious malt flavors. (16/20)
Mouthfeel: Rich and creamy, leaving some residual sugars on the lips. Just a little astringency, but at an appropriate level for this style. (4/5)
Overall Impression: Very enjoyable beer with a ton of malt flavor and complexity. Even now, the head is still standing, which speaks to the excellent conditioning. The only fault is that it is a little big for what is normally a standard strength beer in Germany (which is consistent with the alcohol content of 6 percent). (7/10) -
[expand]Total Score: 36/50
The smoked quality is unusual but interesting; it isn’t overwhelming and it accentuates the roasted complexity. more >
[close]Total Score: 36/50
Aroma: Chocolate, lightly smoky, and a hint of dark caramel. Very clean lager character with just a whiff of sulfur. The malt complexity shows a highly roasted character. Very light hops. The smoke/roast quality dominates. The smoke is a little unusual but plays up the roast character. (9/12)
Appearance: Tall, deep tan head with tiny mousse-like bubbles. Very dark brownish black color. Opaque. The head settled very slowly—excellent conditioning. (3/3)
Flavor: Roasted malts with some smoke, medium bitterness. The moderate hop bitterness is accentuated by the roasted grain and smoke bitterness. Very clean lager character; no esters—nice. Dry finish, but somewhat offset by a fullish body. Hint of alcohol flavor. The bitterness level is welcome, although it’s a bit aggressive. The roast is pushing the limits, and the smoke is a touch over the top for my taste. Some of the flavors are approaching a porter, which is usually a warning sign for me that the roast is too high. Otherwise, it’s a very nicely done beer. (14/20)
Mouthfeel: Medium body. Medium-high carbonation, which makes it seem fuller-bodied. Some roasted grain astringency. Slightly alcohol warmth is unusual. Might be a bit big. (3/5)
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Overall Impression: The smoked quality is unusual but interesting; it isn’t overwhelming and it accentuates the roasted complexity. The roasted flavors have a very dark chocolate note, which is tasty. The alcohol character is a little high; that might smooth out with additional lagering. (7/10)
