Cherny Bock - Bohemian Brewery

mactrail

California

1.8/5  rDev -52.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 1.5

Dark brown in the glass with plenty of foam and regular carbonation. But what a weird flavor. Sourish, oxidized, dishwatery. A spoiled fruit nose as you try to sip. Totally undrinkable.

The story with this is a few days ago I opened a can I had bought a year ago. Gahhh! So I dumped that one and bought a new one. So I was amazed to find this can has the same taste. I have had this on tap at the brewpub as well as local restaurants over the years, and always thought it was really good. So they must have some problem.

From the 12 oz can bought at Emigration Market in Salt Lake.

Serving type: can

12-26-2012 05:13:35 | More by mactrail

RblWthACoz

Pennsylvania

3.55/5  rDev -6.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Beer #20 in my great Utah Brew Hunt.

Oh, this is a schwarzbier. Right on. I just figured since it had the word "bock" on there, that it would be, you know, a bock.

It's a bit to sweet, which, oddly, reminds me of a bock. Quite malty as well. Pretty easy to drink, but the sweetness just seems to be overdoing it. A decent beer. Just not sure it really fits to style

Serving type: can

09-13-2012 01:33:29 | More by RblWthACoz

Jsteez

New Mexico

3.75/5  rDev -0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

Poured from a can into a pokal glass.

A-Deep black; not translucent. A thick, creamy tan head. Excellent retention and nice lacing on the sides of the glass. The bubbly head remains on the surface throughout consumption. Great looking brew!

S-It smells of burnt molassess, licorice, coffee, and sweet malt.

T-Burnt molasses and coffee; hints of licorice; sweet roasted malt goodness! I could smell small traces of hops. Nice dry and bitter aftertaste. Refreshing!

M-Light-medium bodied. A little watery and it is almost disappointing, but the complex taste saves this beer from becoming a below average brew.

Overall-This brew is a good beer that needs to be marketed in more states. I know it would be popular. If you want a nice tasting, lighter black beer, buy this and enjoy. It is well-balanced and sessionable. Cheers!

Serving type: can

09-07-2012 01:33:24 | More by Jsteez

jamesDaExMoBeerGuy

Utah

3.68/5  rDev -2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

At the brewery itself.

Dark tall 22 oz glass poured with an inch of maple head.

Smell was toasty, roasted, nutty - not harsh and a bit on the subtle side.

Taste is initially sweet and heavy on the malt. Turns to a more nutty/coffee flavor. finishes very smooth, heavy, with just a bit of bitter on the finish.

Nice beer, great for a slow sipping moment.

Serving type: on-tap

08-31-2012 15:08:43 | More by jamesDaExMoBeerGuy

kagent777

Utah

4/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12 oz can purchased through an actual grocery store here in SLC. Poured into my beer goblet.

Appearance: A solid brown with hints of ruby near the edges. I did not get too much head with this pour, but I think my glass may be not be totally clean.

Smell: Roasted malts with some coffee hints. Maybe a little bready as well.

Taste: A rich beer for 4.0 ABV. This one packs a lot of flavor into a low ABV beer. Roasted malt sweetness up front with some hops bitterness near the back end.

Mouthfeel: For 4.0 ABV this one has enough mouthfeel, but it is still slightly lower than I like. The carbonation is good and the finish is solid.

Overall: Next to BaBa, this is my favorite beer available in a Utah grocery store. I know that is not saying a lot. If you ever get the chance to have this on tap while travelling through Salt Lake City, give it a try. A very well done beer!

Serving type: can

07-17-2012 02:49:24 | More by kagent777

Mora2000

Texas

3.58/5  rDev -5.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Thanks to blutt59 for sharing this can.

The beer pours a dark reddish-amber color with a white head. The aroma has a lot of dark fruit, as well as some toffee and caramel malt. The flavor is similar, with toffee, caramel, cocoa and a lot of dark fruit. There is also some dry nuttyness in the flavor. Thin mouthfeel and medium carbonation.

Serving type: can

06-03-2012 19:56:48 | More by Mora2000

HopHead84

California

4/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

5/22/2012

Can into a snifter.

A: Dark brown and opaque with a quarter inch of beige foam that quickly recedes.

S: Lightly roasted with notes of grain and a touch of chocolate. Earthy and clean with a light nuttiness.

T: Lightly roasted with toasted malt notes and a restrained nutty sweetness. Low earthy bitterness with a dash of chocolate. The finish is roasted, dry, and clean.

M: Medium body with high carbonation.

Overall: A nice Schwarzbier. Low in alcohol and highly drinkable.

Serving type: can

05-23-2012 05:06:16 | More by HopHead84

LXIXME

New Mexico

4.08/5  rDev +7.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Poured from a inch or so above the the glass gives this a big rich light brown head.

The aroma is roasted malt with an almost sweet molasses adding to this dark colored beer.

Sweet roasted caramel malt with some molasses and a slight counter of hops bitterness holding on.

A full bodied beer with a rich mouth feel, a enjoyable drink that leaves a dryish lightly roasted aftertaste.

Serving type: can

04-08-2012 22:15:33 | More by LXIXME

brentk56

North Carolina

3.05/5  rDev -19.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Appearance: Pours a slightly translucent chocolate color with a sturdy tan head that leaves some webs of lace

Smell: Toasted black bread and walnuts

Taste: While the black bread flavor leads off, the flavor moves in a sour cherry direction (perhaps thinking this was a cherry bock when I looked at the can) by mid-palate; after the swallow, the roast and black bread returns but the sourness lingers in the finish

Mouthfeel: Light to medium body with moderate carbonation; a bit puckerish

Overall: Not sure why I am detecting flavors in this beer that other reviewers haven't noticed but my can definitely had a sour edge in it that didn't fit the style

Thanks, Douglas88, for the opportunity

Serving type: can

11-12-2011 20:53:28 | More by brentk56

mk3

Utah

4.22/5  rDev +11.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I just tried this tonight and being a fan of Bohemians Czech Pilsner I was anticipating a good brew.
I'm not disappointed

Next to a Pils, Schwarzbier is my next favorite.
At first I was hesitant about it saying it is a Bock since I'm not really a fan of Bocks and I didn't know what "cherny" mean't (I do now). but I took a chance.

My main experience with schwarzbier is with Kostritzer so I am doing a comparison with what I know.

All in all, it is a good, drinkable beer, but I wish there was just a touch more chocolate sweetness to it and it could be a bit more creamier but living in Utah, I know that the law restricts how far they can go with it.

All in all, it's a beer I will buy again and being only 4% you can have a "session" with it.

Serving type: can

07-05-2011 03:17:35 | More by mk3

drabmuh

Maryland

3.65/5  rDev -3.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Beer served in a wine glass. Beer is dark brown and clear with a tan head of small bubbles that leaves some lacing on the glass, bad retention, low carbonation.

Everything about this beer is light, light in flavor, light in body, light in aroma, it is sweet in the nose.

Beer si sweet and light in body, there is a minimal bitterness at the back of the beer that finishes the whole thing off. It is an easy drinking unoffensive beer that I rather enjoy. Cherny means black in Russian, well not "Cherny" but CHORNY, but I think that's what they were getting at.

Serving type: can

06-21-2011 22:10:14 | More by drabmuh

Thorpe429

Illinois

3.05/5  rDev -19.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Served from a can at SAVOR 2011 into my nifty new SAVOR goblet.

Pours a fairly-dark brown color with a light tan head. Some lacing as it goes down, though not too much. Thin collar throughout. The nose starts off with a few nice notes of chocolate, roast, and bitter coffee, though this eventually fades into some grain and accompanying tannins. The flavor is equally grainy, but the beer isn't ruined, as there are some nice roast and coffee elements to fill things out. Light to medium body with good carbonation. Too grainy, but not all that bad.

Serving type: can

06-06-2011 23:13:15 | More by Thorpe429

kmperkin

Indiana

4.22/5  rDev +11.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

From a can into a 12oz Epic Brewing glass

A: Very, very deep brown, almost black. Pretty well totally opaque. A bit of creamy, off white head at the start that laces nicely.

S: Toasted malt, bread. Not exactly a strong aroma overall.

T: Roasted malt, caramel, and a very vague hint of coffee. A bit of hop flavor balances this out without stealing the show.

M: Carbonation seems spot on. Body is a bit thinner than I was expecting. Finishes somewhat dry, which I really like as I wouldn't want the malt in the beer to stick around and become cloying.

Overall, I am impressed with this beer. A good one to sit and have a few of at a go.

Serving type: can

05-28-2011 19:49:24 | More by kmperkin

pokesbeerdude

Colorado

3.8/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Purchased a six pack of this from the Jubilee store. $8.99. This beer is not 5% though, it is definitely 4% otherwise it wouldn't be sold at the grocery store. Into a Michelob Celebrate snifter.

A: Without a doubt the darkest non stout/porter I've encountered, black with a cream colored head right at 3/4 of an inch that sticks around for a little while. Nice spots of lacing as it recedes. Completely opaque.

S: Smells a lot like cola, no other way to describe it. Reminds me of RC Cola. A bit of roasted malts, and a definite lager yeast profile. Cola smell is definitely weird.

T: Thankfully not a huge amount of cola finds its way into the taste. Light bit of graininess, with a nice roasted finish. Fairly sweet with a light little bit of smokiness. Not a punch in the mouth, just a simple dark lager.

M: Medium bodied with lighter carbonation, fairly sticky on the lips, with a moderately dry finish. Pretty nice.

O: A nice little session beer for the winter and spring months, not overly complex but still a satisfying beer. I wouldn't have any issue with putting a sixer of this away over the course of an afternoon. Another winner from Bohemian.

Serving type: can

05-21-2011 21:05:09 | More by pokesbeerdude

rickyhansing

Utah

3.85/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Served from a can, poured into a glass.

Appear: Deep brown, nice head and some lacing.

Smell: Subtle but nice, slightly roasted grain and dark bread.

Taste: Pretty nice, subtle roast and caramel. Hop bitterness is doing a pretty good job of counteracting some of the sweet malt.

M: Good body, creamy.

Overall this is a good session beer, subtle enough that I can drink a lot of them yet interesting enough that I won't get too bored.

Serving type: can

05-21-2011 02:06:25 | More by rickyhansing

chinchill

South Carolina

3.9/5  rDev +3.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12 oz can served in pint glass.

A - dark brown, near black and about 99.9% opaque. Nice tan head dies to partial coat rather quickly.

S - dark toasted malt; a little earthy

T - dark toasted malt with sufficient hops to add to flavor in addition to balancing any malt sweetness.

M - excellent carbonation and mouthfeel except for a body that is slightly too thin. Rather dry finish for a 4% ABV.

O - Easy to recommend if your are looking for a canned schwarzbier or bock. Otherwise, still worth a go even though there are some better choices.

Serving type: can

05-18-2011 02:27:25 | More by chinchill

woodychandler

Pennsylvania

3.28/5  rDev -13.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

My dear CANQuest (TM) buddy, indiapaleale, sent this to me in order to have me pose the question "When is a Bock not a Bock? When it is a Schwartzbier!" Now I know, but low marks for truth in advertising.

From the CAN: "Beer-IINBO-Bier-Biere-Cerveja-Birra-Pivo-Cerveza-[plus some Japanese or Chinese]"; "Handcrafted"; "Brewed to the strict standards of the German Purity Law - The Reinheitsgebot. This dark & rich award winning lager is brewed using only the finest European barley, malts & hops. We hope you enjoy our small batch craft beer as much as we love making it. Na Zravi! [Undersigned] Brewmaster".

The Crack & Glug produced a finger of foamy deep-tan head with good retention. It may not have been a Bock, but it was certainly Schwartzer (black) in color - black as a witch's heart, allowing zero light penetration and only deep-ruby highlights at the edges. Nose gave off notes of coffee, charcoal and chocolate. Nice. Mouthfeel was a little thin but the taste was both roasty and smoky, very much like a smoky chocolate. Nice. Finish was lingering with that same smokiness, especially, with the chocolate bringing up the rear. I probably would not take this to the beach, but as something for the winter and Hula in the Coola Day, it would be suitable.

Serving type: can

05-11-2011 23:55:05 | More by woodychandler

JamnesCameron

Illinois

3.45/5  rDev -8.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Poured into a New Belgium globe. Pours a deep, deep garnet, almost black without intense light to shine through. With a big, light tan head that drops fairly quickly. Leaves nice lacing.

Aromas of light roasted malts, caramel malt. Earthy hoppiness.

Flavors of light roast, light maltiness. No real hop bitterness. A touch of sacchrine sweetness.

Mouthfeel is thin, almost watery.

Overall a decent beer, not very aggressive, thin, but that artificial sweetener flavor is a real put off.

Serving type: can

05-07-2011 02:35:42 | More by JamnesCameron

mikesgroove

South Carolina

4.2/5  rDev +11.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A very nice, rich dark brown pour with a nice light puff of head on top. Nice gradual sinking of this led to some modest lacing on the sides of the glass and a light broken crown across the top.

Nice roasted malts in the smell, hints of a campfire like peat, but really was too light for the style. The earthy grains made up the majority of the aroma along with a nice caramel touch. The flavor was nice. Clean, sharp, nothing too terribly strong at all. Rich malted grain, like smoke in the finish and a smooth, medium consistent feel. Not bad at all. Very drinkable and an easy little afternoon session beer.

Serving type: can

04-27-2011 01:54:33 | More by mikesgroove

BeerAdvocate

Massachusetts

4.15/5  rDev +9.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Review from BeerAdvocate Magazine Issue #49 (Feb 2011):

So happy to see a black "craft" beer come from a can, and with a sturdy lacing to boot. Smells of brown bread and chicory, clean but semi-roasted. Semi-chewy, malty mouthfeel, and enough carbonation to bring a refreshing quality out. Mild roasted flavor, similar to a mild roasted iced coffee, and some carob powder. Maltiness stays dry, hops ring in with a kiss of flavor and bitterness, just enough to keep the malt in check and leave the roasted flavors intact. After the first few sips, we realize we've started quaffing. Cherny Bock just raised the bar for canned 12-ounces real high.

Serving type: can

04-07-2011 00:07:51 | More by BeerAdvocate

Bung

North Carolina

3.85/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

12 oz. Black/brown pour, frothy white head. Retention is pretty low.

Malty, some toast and roast. Earthy peatiness.

Taste is quite dry. Ashy roast, charcoal and cocoa. A smokey leaning take on the style for sure. Finishes with a smoked peat tang.

Taste and mouthfeel improve as it warms. A bit carbonated at first. Goes down very easy.
I find schwarzbier so drinkable in general. They are my choice for a session beer if I can find them.

Serving type: can

02-27-2011 19:00:28 | More by Bung

bucklemyshoe

Georgia

3.8/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

12 oz can at 45 degrees into a Sam Adams Perfect Pint.

A: It pours black with red highlights and a finger of light tan head that falls into clumpy collections of retention and laces very well.

S: Sour fruits, light roastiness, a little cocoa, and oats.

T: Sour dark fruits, cherry, light coffee, chocolate, bready notes, and light metallic notes.

M: This has a light body with a little creaminess and an empty finish.

D: This is very flavorful for such a light beer.

Serving type: can

02-25-2011 14:42:53 | More by bucklemyshoe

indiapaleale

Massachusetts

4.1/5  rDev +8.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pour - very, very dark brown with some slight hints of red/auburn when held to the light. The head on this is a good inch of coffee and cream colored foam which slowly fades leaving a thin bubbly head atop this intriguing brew.

Aroma - coffee grounds, vanilla beans, cocoa powder, burnt toast and plenty of good old dark-roasted malt. Cherny Bock has a great aroma, one that will certainly draw you in if you're not afraid of dark beer (you can be afraid of snakes or bears or even possums but you should not be afraid of dark beer).

Taste - lets start by saying that the second this hits your tongue you're going to notice that A) it is super smooth and B) it is a very light beer. The dark, roasty malt flavors are there but subdued and meld well with some light espresso and bitter chocolate. The finish is light on the tongue, its like it just fades away.

Overall - at a super session-able 4% alcohol, this is a beer that you could enjoy during a long afternoon outside. Great flavor for a beer this light and certainly a great option for anyone looking for another beer to stock their cooler with.

Would I buy more of it? - yes. This is another great canned lager variety from Bohemian.

Serving type: can

02-22-2011 01:18:13 | More by indiapaleale

digitalczech

California

4.7/5  rDev +24.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Another canned beer I absolutely love. This one is probably on the top of my list. It's funny getting used to dark beer coming out of a can. But this one is full of surprises.

A - It's a dark dark red,brown. Unfiltered but leaves a nice thick head with great lacing. I've had this straight from the can and poured into a glass. The head from pouting into a glass is beautiful!

S - Malt... Nice roasted malt.

T - Wow... great tastes come through some bitterness but a sweet coffee and chocolate undertones to pull it above. I actually have had this beer on a separate occasion paired with a chocolate brownie. It went really well with it.

M - This beer is alive. Nice carbonation to it. Small tiny bubbles. I guess that's because it's a lager and not a force carbonated Ale.

D - Very drinkable. It's not a heavy beer. My girlfriend loved this beer too. That's saying something! I could session this beer. Very drinkable!

Serving type: can

12-14-2010 19:26:22 | More by digitalczech

avalon07

South Carolina

4/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Poured from a can to a pilsener glass. Had a dark brown color and a thick texture. There was an inch and a half of foamy, off-white, long-lasting head. Good lacing.

S: A nice aroma of malt, coffee and tiny bit of hops.

T: Tasted mainly of malt, but there was also a mild coffee element added to the mix. Different from most Schwarzbiers in some respects, but still a pretty tasty beer.

M: A decent amount of carbonation with a dry finish. Medium-bodied.

D: One of the better American versions of a Schwarzbier. Very drinkable.

Serving type: can

11-19-2010 13:08:35 | More by avalon07