Black Bavarian - Sprecher Brewing Company

Hawkeye1113

Illinois

4.03/5  rDev -1.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

-Poured from a 16oz bottle into a Tulip
-Poured/Reviewed on 1/7/12

A- A rich black, opaque, with only about 1 cm of off-white head that dissipates rather quickly. Little lacing.

S- Fruity, caramel notes. Rich roasted nuts and possibly some cocoa.

T- Mild coffee and a bit nutty. A nice, rich, roasted quality exists, with a hint of bitterness on the back end.

M- Smooth, warming, bitter, and very complex. Refreshing amount of carbonation (appropriate for the style) is present.

O- Pretty good example of an American attempt at the Schwarzbier. Very drinkable and interesting. Warming complexity is excellent on a cold, winter night.

Serving type: bottle

01-07-2012 07:53:48 | More by Hawkeye1113

DemoniChris

Nebraska

4.5/5  rDev +10.3%

06-16-2013 21:43:51 | More by DemoniChris

kconradx5

Ohio

4.75/5  rDev +16.4%

06-15-2013 20:54:53 | More by kconradx5

nineworldseries

Ohio

3.75/5  rDev -8.1%

06-02-2013 23:18:53 | More by nineworldseries

ThisWangsChung

Maryland

3.75/5  rDev -8.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

16 oz bottle into a pint glass.

A: Pours a very dark ruby color. It only shows hints of opacity when put against a moderately strong light. The head is a three finger mocha shade that doesn't retain particularly well, as expected. Having said that, I love the soft creaminess of the texture, with just a hint of rockiness to suggest it's well hopped. Lacing left on the glass is quite plentiful, also.

S: I get some dark fruit esters, roasted malts, cream, chocolate, caramel, noble hops, and brown sugar on the aroma. Not terribly groundbreaking on its own, but quite impressive given the style. I could certainly compare it to a good porter/stout aromatically.

T: An initial wave of dry chocolate soon gives way to a combination of roasted malts and grassy hops on the back end. While it's simplistic and straightforward, it's also enjoyably balanced and easy to drink.

M: It's crisp and dry like a good lager should be. On the other end of the spectrum, it actually does a good job of feeling somewhat substantial. At times, the general feel is more reminiscent of a porter than a dinky-ass schwarzbier.

O: I wasn't sure what to expect from this one - it's a schwarzbier, yet one of the top examples of the style according to BA. Luckily, I'm finding this one pretty damn good. Probably the best schwarz I've had yet, in fact.

Serving type: bottle

06-02-2013 19:15:22 | More by ThisWangsChung

TTAmod

Michigan

4.03/5  rDev -1.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Served in a 20 oz. glass mug at the Sprecher Restaurant in Lake Geneva, WI.

A: This beer pours very dark with a one finger tan head. The head dissipated quickly, but I attribute this mostly to the serving temperature of the beer; it was a bit on the cold side.

S: Smell is of heavy roasty malts, chocolate, caramel, toffee, and cream. The smell is quite reminiscent of a stout.

T: Taste follows the smell quite well, but the roasted malt flavor is extremely strong; however I wouldn't consider it burnt, so it's still pleasant. There is chocolate and a touch of coffee, too. Ends slightly bitter, metallic, and roasty.

M: Mouthfeel is very good...it's smooth, creamy, but is light and well carbonated. This brew goes down extremely easily.

O: The best way to describe this beer is a stout with very easy drinkability. It tastes like a stout, but it has the mouthfeel of a pilsner. There were some off-tastes in the beer, but for the most part it's pretty top notch for the style.

Honestly, before trying this beer, I only thought of Sprecher as a good soda company...I have always overlooked their beers. I've definitely learned my lesson and will try more of their beers in the future.

Serving type: on-tap

06-02-2013 03:35:52 | More by TTAmod

NJB145

Michigan

4/5  rDev -2%

05-27-2013 20:50:43 | More by NJB145

marlinsfan4

Maryland

4/5  rDev -2%

05-26-2013 00:03:57 | More by marlinsfan4

Gregwa

Massachusetts

3.75/5  rDev -8.1%

05-25-2013 02:03:05 | More by Gregwa

BeerForMuscle

New Jersey

4/5  rDev -2%

05-19-2013 00:54:33 | More by BeerForMuscle

kew

Texas

4.25/5  rDev +4.2%

05-18-2013 00:14:28 | More by kew

nheinzie57

Illinois

3.5/5  rDev -14.2%

05-18-2013 00:13:10 | More by nheinzie57

cdwil

Texas

4/5  rDev -2%

05-18-2013 00:02:14 | More by cdwil

eliz108

Wisconsin

4.5/5  rDev +10.3%

05-17-2013 15:27:57 | More by eliz108

Slatetank

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev -2%

05-15-2013 14:00:55 | More by Slatetank

Bill235

Ohio

4.25/5  rDev +4.2%

05-09-2013 18:45:35 | More by Bill235

Huhzubendah

District of Columbia

4/5  rDev -2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

The beer has a near black body with a soft, creamy, khaki colored head. The aroma brings dark chocolates, roast, charred malt, a bit of dark fruits, bread. Nice flavor. Easy to drink. Light to medium in body with moderate carbonation. A touch of molasses in the flavor as well. A solid example of the style. I would drink this again.

Serving type: bottle

05-05-2013 03:43:38 | More by Huhzubendah

firstlighthiker

Tennessee

4/5  rDev -2%

04-30-2013 22:32:03 | More by firstlighthiker

MDDMD

Pennsylvania

4.03/5  rDev -1.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

A-dark brown black color with a light tan head and good lacing

S-dark roasted malt, coffee, caramel, floral

T-dark roasted malt, caramel, floral hops, caramel, nice bitter finish

F-medium body with moderate carbonation, creamy and smooth

O-a tasty beer with great body and easy drinkability

Serving type: on-tap

04-23-2013 02:16:32 | More by MDDMD

weonfire

Illinois

4/5  rDev -2%

04-15-2013 17:34:51 | More by weonfire

emottram

Massachusetts

3.75/5  rDev -8.1%

04-10-2013 21:04:08 | More by emottram

goochpunch

Texas

4.04/5  rDev -1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

Black beer (go figure) with a thin tan head. Smells of roasted malts leaning towards coffee and a whiff of eurohops. Flavor up front is very malty with notes of caramel. I perceive more bitterness from the hops rather than from the roasted grain. Finish tastes roasty, burnt, ashy and almost smokey. Carbonation isn't too strong. A little heavy and sticky. Overall this is pretty tasty, but the mouthfeel kind of weighs it down.

Serving type: bottle

04-08-2013 02:56:23 | More by goochpunch

Tjvan2

Iowa

4/5  rDev -2%

04-07-2013 03:20:30 | More by Tjvan2

pathman

Ohio

4.5/5  rDev +10.3%

04-06-2013 05:03:48 | More by pathman

nuclearmeg

Wisconsin

4.25/5  rDev +4.2%

04-04-2013 22:17:15 | More by nuclearmeg