Black Bavarian - Sprecher Brewing Company

Rayek

Colorado

3.73/5  rDev -8.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured into a Stange.

A: Deep walnut, almost black. A rocky cream cap slowly falls to a thin quilt of foam. Leaves a fair amount of lace.

S: Chocolate, molasses and a hint of burnt malt make up most of the nose. There's a light scent of lemon in the background.

T: Molasses and a burnt bitterness are out front. Some bittersweet baking chocolate is along for the ride. Finishes with a slight astringency and lingering burnt wood flavors.

M: The body is fairly heavy and has a bit too much fizz.

D: This is a nice Schwarzbier overall. It's a bit heavier than I was expecting, but its moderate strength was a nice compliment to a cold autumn day.

Serving type: bottle

11-13-2010 20:05:30 | More by Rayek

edchicma

Massachusetts

3.75/5  rDev -8.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

This brew is presented nicely with a jet black appearance that includes a decent head and ok lacing. Smell was a bit earthy with a definite malt presence. Malt flavor came through in a semi-sweet character...some smoke notes with a slightly tart finish. Mouthfeel was medium, with slightly oily qualities. Drinkability was just ok, not overly smooth with a slight catch in the throat.

Serving type: bottle

04-17-2004 16:09:39 | More by edchicma

clvand0

Kentucky

3.75/5  rDev -8.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

This beer pours a very dark color with a small head that leaves a little lacing on the glass once it falls. It has a slight smell of the 'lager stank' at the beginning, but there are some malty notes in there. Some roasted malts, mostly. The flavor is comprised mostly of the roasted malts (coffee), but there is a little chocolate flavor in there as well. Finish is dry. Drinkability is nice. Body is a little light for me, but still good.

Serving type: bottle

11-10-2004 17:52:20 | More by clvand0

kennyo

New York

3.75/5  rDev -8.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at the precher event at the Collins Bar

Pours an opaque black color with a 3/4" head that disappates firly quickly. Could be bar glasses cleaning that makes the head disappear, which always makes it hard t judge beer in bars. The aroma is coffee, chocolate. Taste is smoky, black malt but not overpowering, smooth with a dry finish. This is a good example of a schwarzbier. I would like to try a bottle to see if the appearence and head is different

Serving type: on-tap

01-10-2007 01:48:16 | More by kennyo

joshwlt

Florida

3.75/5  rDev -8.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Reminded me of a lighter rauchbier more than a schwarzbier... Poured thick dark brown/black out of the bottle with a tan brown head that only reached about 3/4 of an inch high and didnt last long... Smelled great... bread, toffee, and lightly meaty. The taste however integrated some light flavors of rauchbier with a smokiness and some jerky flavors and sliiight coffee but accompanied by some sweeter malt. This is a good beer to bridge the gap to a more flavorful in your face rauchbier or stout... other black beers I've had were a bit sweeter and subtle. This has a bit more taste and is restorative.

Serving type: bottle

07-23-2008 09:03:47 | More by joshwlt

dhannes

Wisconsin

3.75/5  rDev -8.3%
look: 5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Revisited this beer on tap after having had a number of enjoyable bottles. While the appearance resembles a porter in color, it is actually a lager and tastes as such. Hints of cocoa, but not as drinkable or tasty as a porter...in fact, it would have been hard to distinguish this beer from, say, a decent lager, in a blind taste test...well, you could taste a hint of roasting, but not much. Still, a decent once-in-awhile beer.

Serving type: on-tap

11-02-2010 19:17:25 | More by dhannes

B967ierhunter177

Pennsylvania

3.75/5  rDev -8.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This beer pours black, period. It has a 1/4 inch head and thin lace. The aroma is of anise, molasses, and burnt toast. The flavor opens with dark roasted malt, baker's chocolate, and coffee notes with a hint of wood and smoke. The mouthfeel is medium and smooth. Sprecher Black Bavarian is a good brew, recommended!

Serving type: bottle

08-11-2012 01:57:38 | More by B967ierhunter177

Westsidethreat

California

3.78/5  rDev -7.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Pours a clean yet pitch dark brew. Head is nice, dark beige and quite frothy really....leaving balanced webby structures all over the place.

S: Licorice, ripe dark berries, cinnamon, peat and toasted cereal

T: Begins with lightly roasted espresso with chocolatey walnut. Some creeping moments of dark grape at just a touch of sourness to the project. Molasses, light bittering hops and minor smoke all play a part. Finishes lightly carmely with some finesses roasted notes.

M: Medium body with an atractive mouthfeel. Good carbonation going on.

D: Nice balance and easy drinking. Very good but nothing stunning IMO.

Serving type: bottle

10-10-2006 04:50:41 | More by Westsidethreat

Riverwarrior

Texas

3.78/5  rDev -7.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

S = Light roasted coffee beans with chocolate in the background.

T = Malty backbone, roasted grains, semi-sweet chocolate mingling around the other flavors. There was a slight roasted coffee bitterness in the finish. Nothing too bitter, but just enough to balance.

MF = Medium body with moderate carbonation. This one is silky smooth from mouth to stomach.

Overall, this is a very easy to drink schwarzbier with plenty of roasted goodness to enjoy.

Serving type: bottle

07-15-2008 00:56:18 | More by Riverwarrior

halfP1NT

Pennsylvania

3.78/5  rDev -7.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Reviewed this one on 6/8/08. Thanks to johnd513 for this.

This brew pours an opaque black with a tan head that recedes into a thin layer.

Smell is nothing too overwhelming; toasty malts and smoke, woody and slightly sweet.

Taste is smoky, toasted malts and some smooth chocolate. There is also a definite meaty flavor here that's hard for me to ignore. I really don't like the meaty taste here (that's why I don't really like rauchbiers or smoked beers), but there are other things going on here that I do like. The smoky flavor dominates, and lingers after the sip. Nice hops presence balances it all out.

The sweet malts coat my mouth, yet this is a pretty crisp brew. This is a very flavorful lager. Although not my favorite style, I'd recommend trying this one.

Serving type: bottle

08-06-2008 02:29:13 | More by halfP1NT

jwinship83

Illinois

3.78/5  rDev -7.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

A- black body with a finger of fleeting tan head. little to no retention or lacing.

S- roasted malts, caramel, and toffee. smells pretty sweet.

T- dark and roasty. very close to how it smells. maybe a bit of black licorice in here as well

M- thin to medium mouthfeel with a good level of carbonation.

D- a good session brew. something i could have about two of before wanting to switch to something else. pretty good bargain as well.

Serving type: bottle

11-16-2008 02:36:46 | More by jwinship83

homebrew311

Illinois

3.78/5  rDev -7.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

A- Pours a jet black with a thin tan ring of head. Very minimal head and lacing. Appears to be somewhat thin in body.

S- A big rush of smokey goodness on the nose. Some acidic element from the malts, smells like a campfire.

T- All malts and smokiness. A nice smokey flavor enveloped with spicy notes. Almost no hops, maybe a hint on the finish. Very complex malt profile.

M: somewhat harsh, high carbonation, spicy on the tongue. Thin body.

D: This has been at my local liquor store since I began shopping there over a year ago. I always passed it up. Recently I read the reviews on this one and thought at 5.99 for a 4pk/16 oz, I am silly for having passed on this on so often. This is easily one of my favorite lagers as it has a great deal of complexity. I really like the smokiness of it also, not too much but a good amount.

Serving type: bottle

03-31-2009 02:56:42 | More by homebrew311

juhl31

California

3.78/5  rDev -7.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

-good and dark, but the head doesnt last much at all and theres really no lacing

-smell is definitely potent, but not awesome. smells like theres some licorice in there

-dont know what to give taste. like licorice after mouth, which i dont necessarily like, but its decent

-mouth is fine, not much on the carb end

-not great for me, my mouth feels like i just took a shot of jager and in that case i wish i would have just taken a shot of jager

Serving type: bottle

09-05-2009 02:55:52 | More by juhl31

steveh

Illinois

3.78/5  rDev -7.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Probably one of the first micro-brewed beers I ever tried, back around 1985. Never reviewed it, had a taste for it, here goes.

A -- Deep, dark black (coincidence?) with ruby highlights only seen with a flashlight, and a thick head that starts with some darker highlights as poured, but settles on tan.

S -- Bready and mildly roasted malts, some light, clay-like earthiness.

T -- Roasted malts right up front. Very Stout/Porter-like in its flavor, but none of the top-fermented esters. Coffee notes and that earthy character, but no sweetness from the malt. All very roasty-bitter with a touch of crisp hop bitterness in the finish and some lightly sweet dark fruit and licorice in the aftertaste.

M -- Smooth, on the verge of syrupy, mouthfeel and a medium to light-heavy body.

O -- Overall, this is a very pleasant dark beer if you're looking for that typical roasted malt hit. But I wish there was just a slight bit more sweetness and smoothness you get from a classic Schwarzbier.

Serving type: bottle

07-13-2011 18:25:29 | More by steveh

beerguy101

California

3.8/5  rDev -7.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Dark black color. Medium head. Aroma is roasted coffee. Medium bodied. Deeply roasted malts. Chocolate is the predominate flavor, but there is a touch of coffee and nuts. Somewhat earthy tones as well. Slightly sweet. Somewhat porter like. Nice beer. Mouthfeel is full and round. Finish is clean. Aftertaste is slightly sweet.

Serving type: bottle

09-24-2003 03:19:59 | More by beerguy101

scherbs

Wisconsin

3.8/5  rDev -7.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

This is an extraordinarily pleasant beer. It pours a midnight black with a very slight head that dissipates fairly quickly (a Sprecher trait perhaps?). The smell of this beer is just about right--a yeasty malt that hints at its flavor. This brew drinks very pleasantly. It has an almost sweet, malty flavor that is backed up by significant body. Unlike some of the other darker beers I enjoy, this beer actually lives up to the billing advertised by its appearance. This brew has a very nice body to it that lends it a significance. It is not at all watery and is chock full of flavor. The only downside to this heft, however, is that it tends to make this a beer best enjoyed in moderation, as it quickly gets a bit filling.

Serving type: bottle

12-10-2006 01:05:00 | More by scherbs

Ineedabeerhere

Connecticut

3.8/5  rDev -7.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Nice brew received in a trade from Pauly2X- thanks.

Definitely a soild dark brew. Pours very dark brown. I'm picking up a bit of a smokiness in the nose but its mostly just malt complexity. The same follows after the first sip. Rich, slightly sweet, complex malts, very 'full'-tasting- and again with a slight smokiness, some toasted and nutty flavors as well. I really enjoyed this brew- and honestly, I wasn't expecting to. I like the 16oz serving and its a twist off! It paired nicely with some aged gouda.

Serving type: bottle

11-15-2008 06:57:21 | More by Ineedabeerhere

Beerandraiderfan

Nevada

3.8/5  rDev -7.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Another enjoyable effort from Sprecher. Looks like a good black beer. I really dunno what a "schwarzbier" is, but this seems like it may be a lager. The aroma and taste have a fruity yeast feel to it. Surprising hop character for something this dark and Midwest. Sprecher always seems to exceed expectations.

Mouthfeel, a little thin, but doesn't devolve into something I don't like. Pretty drinkable, not too challenging, enjoyable and reasonably priced.

Serving type: bottle

02-27-2010 23:41:19 | More by Beerandraiderfan

corby112

Pennsylvania

3.8/5  rDev -7.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a dark brown almost black color with slight amber edges when held to a light source and a 1.5 finger tan head that slowly fades into a lasting ring. Sporadic splotches os soapy lacing left behind.

Roasted chocolate malt aroma with some earthy hop bitterness, roasted coffee, toffee, licorice and some smoked malt.

Medium bodied with a lot of roasted chocolate maltiness with hints of deep roasted coffee, caramel, oatmeal and toffee. There is surprisingly a nice btter hop presence that adds a bit of complexity and lingers into a dry finish.

One of the better beers I've had from Sprecher.

Serving type: bottle

04-30-2010 03:11:28 | More by corby112

mariposafan

Wisconsin

3.8/5  rDev -7.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours an opaque chocolate brown with a half inch or so of head that persists rather nicely.

The aroma is slightly sweet and malty with a hint of good amount of roasted malts.

The flavor is very similar to the aroma - roasted malts with a bit of sweetness. A bit too much roasty bitterness for me but it's not too bad.

The mouthfeel is pleasant - medium bodied and fairly creamy.

Overall it's a nice beer, the only example I've tried of the style.

Serving type: bottle

10-26-2011 20:42:11 | More by mariposafan

Hex92

Virginia

3.8/5  rDev -7.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Whenever I go to Wisconsin I pick up some of this beer. I don't ever see it here in Virginia.

A- black with thin creamy head
S- toffee and roasted malt
T- roasted malts is the biggest flavor...with a nice muted hop balance
M- a bit thin when compared to the big taste

Serving type: bottle

12-18-2011 03:58:07 | More by Hex92

marburg

Michigan

3.83/5  rDev -6.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Clear black brew that sparkles with hints of brown and red in the light. Pretty thick black foam tops it off. Aromas of burnt grains. Fairly malty and sweet up front. Hops are lightly herbal with a little bit of a kick. Some very faint chocolate or sugar hints throughout. I think a good schwarzbier packs a lot of flavor and a deep color in a medium-bodied package, and this does that well. Not a standout brew in general, but very drinkable and pretty damn good.

Serving type: bottle

09-30-2003 17:56:15 | More by marburg

beerwolf77

Wisconsin

3.83/5  rDev -6.4%
look: 5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured into my pint glass the beer is duh black as coal. An aggressive pour leaves me with three fingers of creamy light almond hued head. Superb retention. After a serious wait the glass is covered with sticky webs of lace.

The aroma is light for sure. What is there is roasted malt with hints of coffee. Maybe a bit of smoke and hops.

The flavor is heavy on the smoked malt. It has a fairly robust burnt coffee tone to it. Not much else going on here.

Thin bodied with very little carbonation. Spot on for the style.

Overall although not huge in the nose and taste it's well done for the stlye and super easy to drink.

Serving type: bottle

06-30-2010 01:00:30 | More by beerwolf77

ChainGangGuy

Georgia

3.83/5  rDev -6.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Appearance: Received from the bartender a simple black body topped with a slim, light beige head.

Smell: Nose smelling of roasted, grainy malts for a dull coffee-ish tone, touches of chocolate and caramel with a spoonful of sweet homemade plum jelly.

Taste: Blackened barley malt, with a slow but steady accumulating roasted grain quality to it. Sweet influences of chocolate and caramel, more prominent in the beginning. Subtle albeit continuous ripe plum fruitiness. A hint of herbs pulls in a slight, sweetness-tempering bitterness. Late touch of aniseed. Finishes fairly dry with a light, final touch of chocolate.

Mouthfeel: Medium-light body. Medium-light carbonation.

Drinkability: It's a good schwarzbier tweaked with less than traditional ingredients, though I am not willing to say it is a great one.

Serving type: on-tap

11-10-2010 20:32:53 | More by ChainGangGuy

mobius387

Wisconsin

3.83/5  rDev -6.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

poured into a new belgium snifter

appearance: pours jet black with a small 1/2" brown bubbly head, gives it the look like its going to taste very carbonated

aroma: i dont get much here, light smells of chocolate and caramel.

palate: not as carbonated as it looks. medium bodied in mouth, flavor lasts for awhile along sides of mouth

taste: i get a roasty malt flavor with some sweet tones to it.

overall: a unique beer from a very good brewery. there is complex flavors, but its not a fill-you-up type of beer like some complex stouts. probably one of, if not the, best beers made in milwaukee. definitely a must try for those in the area

Serving type: bottle

10-28-2011 22:22:29 | More by mobius387