Zwarte Piet's Christmas - Church Brew Works

thecheapies

Pennsylvania

3.2/5  rDev -17.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

On-tap at Diamond Market downtown.

A: muddy, Belgian chocolate brown. Almost opaque, yet brown. Interesting. Maybe it's suspended yeast. No lasting head. No lacing.

S: milk chocolate, cinnamon, allspice, smells creamy--if that makes sense.

T: spice overload. Almost peppery. Sweet malt, wheat bread, more of the cinnamon, a little star anise and mild creamy chocolate.

M: medium-high carb. Feels a little prickly. Round body.

O: the tap was labeled 'Season Specialty', I was hoping it was Quadzilla. This beer is a decent brown with too many spices. Kind of on par with the unspectacular Cabin Fever.

Serving type: on-tap

12-21-2011 02:22:39 | More by thecheapies

Mibarak

Pennsylvania

4.25/5  rDev +9.5%

01-06-2013 23:22:00 | More by Mibarak

TrentW

Illinois

4.25/5  rDev +9.5%

12-29-2012 20:37:17 | More by TrentW

ejimhof

Pennsylvania

3/5  rDev -22.7%

12-16-2012 03:32:48 | More by ejimhof

Stinkypuss

Pennsylvania

3.85/5  rDev -0.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Church Brew Works
Swartz Piet's Xmas
2012 edition
ABV listed at 7%

LOOK: Pours a dark brown color with a wisp of off white head.

SMELL: Orange peel and heavy ginger upfront with some clove, spicy cinnamon and brown sugar. The aroma filled up the air at the table making for an impressive nose.

TASTE/FEEL: Dark malts with ginger and citrus notes. Cocoa, black licorice and ginger are the big flavors. Just a bit of dark fruit flavor. Hop bitterness is subdued, as are the spices, which are kept to a low level. Rooty flavors and finishes with a light dry spice. Full bodied feel with a small dryness.

OVERALL: A successful holiday brew from the Church Brew Works. Lively flavors and a great aroma. This is a well done spiced ale.

Serving type: on-tap

11-23-2012 19:15:22 | More by Stinkypuss

AMiz602

Pennsylvania

3.98/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Seeing that it was named after Sinterklaas's helpers in Holland, I was immediately intrigued. And, as a seasonal beer, it was probably the best out of the bunch this time around.

It is a light brown beer, with just a little bit of head. It was not that thick feeling at all, and went down quite easily for having a high alcohol content. It was chocolaty, yet spicy all in one. Cinnamon, cardamom, and I believe some nutmeg had to be in there, possibly with some cloves. But, the malt really dumbs down the spiciness, and makes for a palatable, forgiving Winter beer.

It's a unique taste, and unlike most American winter ales. Brewed very much to be on par with European tastes. However, I'm not totally sure that it would be good on a hot day in June, but should be relicated to the cold days of January.

Serving type: on-tap

01-20-2012 03:34:01 | More by AMiz602

burnstar

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev +3.1%

12-27-2011 22:37:00 | More by burnstar

joecon

Pennsylvania

4.88/5  rDev +25.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

We had this on tap at the Church Brew Works. Can't remember the cost--it was so tasty--I don't care what it costs!!

A--Dark brown, but not black. Good head, lacing held

S--Hint of nutmeg

T--Very Tasty--smooth--taste of nutmeg & other spices

M--Perfect--not rough--Very Smooth

D--One of the very best beers that I have had in quite some time--wish they bottled it!

Serving type: on-tap

12-17-2011 14:54:11 | More by joecon

DrDemento456

Pennsylvania

3.58/5  rDev -7.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Wow only a handful of reviews for this? Glad to be second banana! Had this at D's six packs in Monroeville sampler 5oz pour for 2 bucks.

A - I got a deep brown, almost black with a mild bit of head and little to no lacing as from notes.

S - Smells of a typical brown ale. Malts and a bit of hops with a bit of caramel for good measure.

T - Threw me off a bit. At first, while it was cold, it tasted like a typical brown ale but as it warmed the yeast made itself know and covered most hop taste. It was still pretty good with a nice caramel sweetness but I wasn't really loving it at this point.

M - Light to medium. A decent offering.

D - What a weird beer. At first it tasted like a typical offering and then turned to something else within 20-30 minutes time. I find it weird that D's has this listed as a "Belgium brown ale" while it's listed as a "American Brown Ale" and to me it comes off more Belgium. Still pretty drinkable and I preferred it over the Vertical Epic from stone.

Serving type: on-tap

01-03-2011 23:14:26 | More by DrDemento456

IronCitySteve

Pennsylvania

3.8/5  rDev -2.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Had on tap at Fatheads Pittsburgh. Says this is a Brown Ale

A: Pours a hazy brown color with a small tan foam head with moderate retention.

S: Some mild spice, bread, caramel and citrus.

T: A nicely spiced brown ale. The caramel and citrus hit the palate first. There is some ginger spice in the middle with some citrus undertones on the backend.

M: A slightly slick but slightly thin taste left on the palate.

D: A very nice beer from Church Brew Works. Glad I tried it while it is out on tap.

Serving type: on-tap

12-24-2010 14:50:16 | More by IronCitySteve