Gordon Biersch Schwarzbier - Gordon Biersch Brewery Restaurant

drpimento

Wisconsin

3.85/5  rDev +3.2%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pretty good drinking beer in and of itself. However, it seemed to me leaning more in the porter direction. Again it was served with a small, off-white head, and good lace, which seems to be policy at GB. Color was an opaque black brown. Aroma was malt, roast, vanilla. Flavor was similar plus was fairly dry, and well balanced. Body was full and round with good carbonation. Finish was like flavor and of medium length. Session beer.

Serving type: on-tap
@ Gordon Biersch, 5010 Mission Center Road, San Diego

10-22-2010 18:47:22 | More by drpimento

cdkrenz

Wisconsin

3.65/5  rDev -2.1%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A - Medium brown body with minimal carbonation. The head is minimal in a color of pale tan.

S - Roasty caramel with a toasty note.

T - Slightly sweet and slight chocolate among a soft carmel flavor and a nice transition into a subtle coffee flavored finish.

M - Coarse and ordinary, nothing too interesting here.

~ Would I recommend this beer??? I suppose, but not too highly.

Serving type: on-tap
@ Gordon Biersch Brewery & Restaurant, 420 S Mill Ave Ste 201, Tempe

10-20-2010 04:32:20 | More by cdkrenz

adkirkish

Florida

4.08/5  rDev +9.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A: poured dark brown with amber at the edges with an inch of foamy tan head that stuck around for a minute. No lacing.

A: roasted, dark, and chocolate malt profile, light husky astringency, no to little hop aromatics, no esthers / yeast aroma.

F: light caramel upfront and smooth blended roasted / chocolate malt on the finish. Finish also has some light smoke on it. No hops, no esthers, no astringency.

M: light med body, med mouthfeel and light carbonation. A little creaminess and drinks and finishes very smooth.

O: Great example to style, but would have liked an increase in hop aroma and caramel upfront, otherwise the initial taste is a little watery on the palate, otherwise a finely crafted beer. I paired this with the steak frite done medium w/ garlic fries drizzled in marzen sauce and I am in my place of zen, especially getting to use my AHA pub discount benefits » this beer set me back 2 bucks. Its good to be a homebrewer / aha member!!

Serving type: on-tap
@ Gordon Biersch Brewery & Restaurant, 420 S Mill Ave Ste 201, Tempe

08-11-2010 02:50:51 | More by adkirkish

zeff80

Missouri

3.65/5  rDev -2.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Poured out an opaque, jet black color with a small, light brown head of bubbly foam. It left thin rings of sticky lace on the glass.

S - It smelled of roasted malt, chocolate and some mild fruity aromas.

T - It tasted of chocolate, toffee and roasted malts. There was a very mild bitter hop presence.

M - It was crisp, sharp and smooth. A light bodied lager with a very dry finish.

D - This is a nice schwarzbier. They really do a nice job with all these Greman brews.

Serving type: on-tap
@ Gordon Biersch Brewery & Restaurant, 420 S Mill Ave Ste 201, Tempe

07-17-2010 01:30:02 | More by zeff80

Durge

Connecticut

3.5/5  rDev -6.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Enjoyed at the San Jose location with my meal, this German style brew shows a deep black mahogany color with a modest off-white head and very little lace. The aroma is mild coffee grinds and delicate prune. A bit too subtle but not bad. The flavor brings bright cracker and weak coffee. Generally weak in feel with a medium light body and fair carbonation. There's a slight citrus hop idea and dry finish. Pretty crisp and refreshing, interesting but kind of wimpy. It's drinkable enough but not something I would necessarily nominate for sessioning.

Serving type: on-tap
@ Gordon Biersch Brewery & Restaurant, 420 S Mill Ave Ste 201, Tempe

06-01-2010 01:41:55 | More by Durge

tjsdomer2

Illinois

3.05/5  rDev -18.2%
look: 2 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Appearance: I'm not impressed at all with this. Some ok lacing, but no foam retention at all. Looks like watery coffee. Definitely not black.

Smell: Some weak coffee.

Taste/Mouthfeel: Ok taste. Coffee/caramel malts. I actually sense some good hops bitterness as well.

Drinkability: A thin dark beer. It's clean though and kind of refreshing.

Overall: Highly disappointed with the Schwarzbier. It's definitely "bier" but not "schwarz." Definitely didn't reach expectations.

Serving type: on-tap
@ Gordon Biersch Brewery & Restaurant, 420 S Mill Ave Ste 201, Tempe

05-30-2010 17:35:00 | More by tjsdomer2

beachbum1975

Ohio

3.05/5  rDev -18.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2

Had this beer on 5/10 at the Gordon Biersch brewpub in San Jose.

I'm not a huge fan of this style of beer, but what I had here was decent. Pour a cloudy, dark brown with a creamy white head. I definitely got some roastiness in the mix and tasted some light hops, but overall the flavor was mild and uninteresting. I didn't dislike this beer, but it was rather dull.

Serving type: on-tap
@ Gordon Biersch Brewery Restaurant, 401 N. Front Street, Columbus

05-13-2010 03:14:07 | More by beachbum1975

champ103

Texas

3.63/5  rDev -2.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A: Pours a dark ruby brown color. A two finger beige head forms, and sticks around for a while. Some sticky lace is left behind.
S: Sweet caramel malt up front. Bread and biscuit. Light toasted malt and chocolate linger.
T: Big grainy malt up front. Though a nice toasted flavor come around. Some light chocolate as well.
M/D: A medium body and carbonation. A little thin, Easy to drink. My pick of the litter for a session beer.

The best I had from the brewpub. Decent, and worth a look. Simple, but enjoyable.

Serving type: on-tap
@ Gordon Biersch Brewery Restaurant, 401 N. Front Street, Columbus

05-11-2010 03:59:39 | More by champ103

Banger530

Arizona

3.3/5  rDev -11.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A: Opaque brown, almost black. About an inch of head when the server brought it to me.

S: Slightly sweet chocolate, notes of chocolate

T: More chocolate flavor than I smelled. Pleasant malty flavor in the middle. A slight burnt coffee flavor aftertaste.

M: Medium to full body. Light to medium carbonation.

D: Drinkable. Maybe slightly better than average. I would get it again.

Serving type: on-tap
@ Gordon Biersch Brewery & Restaurant, 420 S Mill Ave Ste 201, Tempe

04-24-2010 04:35:34 | More by Banger530

beer2day

North Carolina

3.88/5  rDev +4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Dark, deep red pour into a GB pint glass. 2-finger dark cream head. Good retention and decent lacing.

Dark chocolate malt nose. Really nice. Anise appears late in the glass.

Thin hit, but cream quickly builds. Chocolate all over, with slight vanilla compliment in the finish.

Feel is right for the style. A tad thicker than expected.

Easy drinker with the light abv.

Serving type: on-tap
@ Gordon Biersch Brewery & Restaurant, 900 F St NW, Washington

03-29-2010 12:49:50 | More by beer2day

berley31

New Brunswick (Canada)

3.75/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Actually had on-tap at the GB brewpub in Seattle.

A: Large, tan head that diminished to about 1/2-finger or so. Body is virtually black and opaque... probably clear, but difficult to tell because the color is so dark.

S: Like the hefe, the aroma is a little weak... some roasted malt in there, but that's all I got.

T: Very smooth, with roasted malts and light amounts of coffee and bittersweet chocolate. Very nice.

M: Light-bodied, with a creamy texture and average carbonation.

D: Very easy drinking... the dark color may scare some away who aren't familiar with the style, but they should really give it a try. A good sipping beer.

Serving type: on-tap
@ Gordon Biersch Brewery & Restaurant, 900 F St NW, Washington

10-29-2009 18:08:31 | More by berley31

mentor

Colorado

3.45/5  rDev -7.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Pours a one finger light brown head over a very dark brown liquid. Smells strong dark malt with moticable noble or english hops. Roast and chocolate with a creamy hint. Earthy hops with gentle perfumey.

Tastes medium intensity roast with mild sweet underneath. Roast is coffee and char-like with a gentle sour edge. Mild hop grassiness. Drying finish due to good attenuation and a slight alcohol cleaning. Light body, but some creaminess. Modest carbonation. Nicely hopped for the style, but a bit too charred for the style.

Serving type: bottle
@ Gordon Biersch, 1 West Flatiron Circle, Broomfield

10-16-2009 05:12:03 | More by mentor

Rootdog316

Virginia

4.22/5  rDev +13.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This is another great beer at GB in Rockville. In the German language, this beer actually means "black beer." One would think there would be a heavier body, but did not come across as heavily bodied as one would think. It had a chocolate-esqe flavor to it and had a dark brown tint. A very good Schwarzbier. Definitely give it a try.

Serving type: on-tap
@ Gordon Biersch, 1 West Flatiron Circle, Broomfield

09-08-2009 18:05:15 | More by Rootdog316

aristeros

Georgia

4.03/5  rDev +8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

On-tap at their Tempe, AZ restaurant, served in a logo-emblazoned pint glass. Dark brown to black, ruby highlights are more prominent when held to the light. One and a half fingers of off-white head, some retention, good lacing. Smells smoky, roasted malts predominate. A little nip of hops.

Sweet malts followed by big roasted flavor. Somewhat like roasted chestnuts. Cream texture, medium body, medium carbonation seems appropriate. Malts may have been roasted a trifle too long--a bit of a charcoal effect here that's more appropriate to a porter or stout. Earthy finish

Goes down smoothly, really a wonderful beer, provided I pretend it's a porter. I'm hoping that maybe that some malt that was roasted too long went into it; I'll try it again with another batch in a few months to see if that's the case.

Serving type: on-tap
@ Gordon Biersch, 1 West Flatiron Circle, Broomfield

09-08-2009 01:29:14 | More by aristeros

rfgetz

New Jersey

4.15/5  rDev +11.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A: Deep dark brown, minimal head and lacing

S: Rich roasted malts... scents of roasted nuts, coffee beans and slight cocoa

T: Excellent flavor from full roasted malts... roasted nuts and coffee flavors.

M: On the lighter side of medium bodied. Light on the carbonation. Some earthy feel to it but finishes thin.

D: Excellent Schwarzbeir. The roasted grains and organic feel make this top notch.

Serving type: on-tap
@ Gordon Biersch Brewery & Restaurant, 900 F St NW, Washington

09-07-2009 17:44:16 | More by rfgetz

BeerBelcher

Ohio

3/5  rDev -19.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

This beer is pretty boring, which I guess is a fit with the style (I find Schwarzbiers to be pretty unexciting), but this one registers with me overall as just sort of OK. Dark, not too roasty, inoffensive. Dry? Yes. I just can't say much about this beer - there is not much here to describe, but there is certainly nothing off or offensive either. I don't know whether to recommend or not...I am stumped.

Serving type: on-tap
@ Gordon Biersch Brewery Restaurant, 401 N. Front Street, Columbus

07-05-2009 17:15:15 | More by BeerBelcher

Norfawkers

Virginia

3.9/5  rDev +4.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

One of the best beers that Gordon Biersch has to offer given its balanced complexity; very versatile

Appearance: Very dark; reddish tone

Smell: Faint malty spiciness

Taste: Smokey and earthy

Mouthfeel: Quite smooth

Drinkability: Highly drinkable dark beer; versatile

Serving type: on-tap
@ Gordon Biersch Brewery Restaurant, 401 N. Front Street, Columbus

06-21-2009 19:41:24 | More by Norfawkers

kimcgolf

Georgia

3.43/5  rDev -8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours from the tap to an old motor oil black (expected of a Schwarzbier), with a thick foamy tan head that lingers well thru the entire drink and leaves decent lacing. The nose, while somewhat muted, is licorice and a hint of roasted nuts. Mouth is very tingly, albeit a tad weak, with the taste again leaning toward licorice. Finish is of medium duration and a little watery, but overall a pretty decent beer.

Serving type: on-tap
@ Gordon Biersch Brewery & Restaurant, 900 F St NW, Washington

05-01-2009 19:24:07 | More by kimcgolf

Nickls

District of Columbia

4/5  rDev +7.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

(From notes)

A - Poured with a thin mostly white head. Really deep dark brown coloring with light brown highlights. Good curtain-like lacing

S - Light maltiness; some roasted aromas; touch of raisin; good but kinda muted overall on this front

T - Flavors are more vibrant than the aroma suggests. Rich, roasted maltiness with dark fruit sweetness

M - Nearing on medium for the MF, nice breath of effervescent carbonation.

D - This would be a great session brew. Interesting, quaffable, low abv = my kind of session. Aside from the sessionable qualities, this brew is a bit more interesting than others in the style range and therefore a bit more drinkable for me.

Overall, great interpretation and really loved the roasted qualities in addition to the more traditional flavors for the style. Check it out.

Serving type: on-tap
@ Gordon Biersch Brewery & Restaurant, 900 F St NW, Washington

04-21-2009 02:46:27 | More by Nickls

mjl21

California

3.9/5  rDev +4.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at their restaurant in SF. Poured into their house pint glass. Comes in at 4.30%.

A-Pours a dark brown with some nice red hue when put to sunlight. Has a one and a half finger white head and some nice lace.

S-Roasted malt is the predominant aroma. Also smells in some ways like a crisp Pilsner.

T-Sweeter malt hits upfront. Not nearly as roasted as I would have expected. The roasted malt comes through most at the end. Like the smell, I am getting some Pilsner flavor going on in my mouth.

M-Light to medium bodied with a nice creamy texture.

D-Went down very easily. The Pilsner qualities really make this a great year round session beer.

A pleasant surprise from a place that I seem to go to once every 10 years. Would come back to have some more of this beer.

Serving type: on-tap
@ Gordon Biersch Brewery & Restaurant, 900 F St NW, Washington

04-12-2009 00:04:04 | More by mjl21

Cyberkedi

Georgia

3.95/5  rDev +5.9%
look: 5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This schwarzbier comes out of the tap a deep, opaque sable with a thick, fine-bubbled, light tan head. Rich aroma is primarily of roast, smoky malt. Strongly smoky flavor has coffee, nutty and caramel hints. Texture is smooth and has a good, strong tingle to it.

Serving type: on-tap
@ Gordon Biersch Brewery & Restaurant, 900 F St NW, Washington

03-26-2009 21:31:12 | More by Cyberkedi

TheMistler

District of Columbia

4.15/5  rDev +11.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Black, of course. Or, rather, such dark, opaque brown as to be black for all intents and purposes. Creamy head, very tiny bubbles. Not too much, nor with the greatest retention, although the ring that remains is substantial. Little lacing.

Subdued nose. Tangy, roasted - even a bit smoky.

Not a subdued taste. Roasted. Hints of coffee and powdery dark chocolate. The slightest undercurrent of sweet chocolate, but this is a well roasted beer that also has evident hops.

Rather light bodied and easily drinkable. Crisply - maybe slightly overly - carbonated, becoming creamy only after its been swirled around the mouth a bit.

Serving type: on-tap
@ Gordon Biersch Brewery & Restaurant, 900 F St NW, Washington

03-15-2009 21:44:30 | More by TheMistler

MrIncognito

Virginia

3.4/5  rDev -8.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

On tap in Vegas

A - Dark mahogony, almost black body with very little visible carbonation. Better head than expected, about 2-fingers, off-white and mostly sticky. Leave pretty nice lacing

S - Gotta stick my nose in this one to get a good smell of it. Dark roasted malts with some slightly sweet brown sugar. Maybe some dark fruits, plums.

T&M - Bold, dark roasted malts up front with sweetness in the background. Not much carbonation here. Somewhat thin in the mouthfeel and the taste leaves something to be desired. I wish there was more depth here.

Serving type: on-tap
@ Gordon Biersch Brewery & Restaurant, 900 F St NW, Washington

02-26-2009 21:01:28 | More by MrIncognito

BigBry

Alberta (Canada)

4.03/5  rDev +8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pint from the The Glendale Gordon Biersch.
Poured dark mahogany brown (almost black), with a thick creamy tan head. Foam lasted almost the whole pint, and left nice looking lace. Toasted malt smell, a touch of smokiness. Flavor of smoky toasted grain, good balance between sweetness and hop finish. Dry and clean mouthfeel. One of the better schwarz'z I have tried.

Serving type: on-tap
@ Gordon Biersch Brewery & Restaurant, 900 F St NW, Washington

01-05-2009 23:05:42 | More by BigBry

yesyouam

New York

4.15/5  rDev +11.3%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

On tap at the San Jose location. This beer is a handsome black with a pillowy light tan head that has great retention and lacing. The aroma is dark, dusty, roasty and perhaps sweaty. It is medium light in the mouth; very smooth with a crisp finish. The roastiness is on the subtle side, but provides the main flavor here. This is the best beer I've had from Gordon Biersch and the best beer I've had in San Jose. What a great session beer. I had to go back the next morning and get a growler of this.
(rated May 17, 2007)

Serving type: on-tap
@ Gordon Biersch Brewery & Restaurant, 900 F St NW, Washington

12-12-2008 14:11:41 | More by yesyouam