Herold Bohemian Black Lager - Pivovar Herold Březnice A.s.

RBorsato

Virginia

5/5  rDev +25%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Black ! (amber tones to a light source) with a brown head leaving good lace. Roasty and bittersweet chocolate aroma and flavor. Tastes exactly like it smells - rich and delicious ! Medium bodied (leans full) and creamy with a bittersweet finish.

It's hard to think of another beer that can stand up to this one in terms of style - pleasantly suprised by this Czech brewery which also makes great Pilsners !

All around awesome !

Serving type: bottle

11-07-2002 09:31:29 | More by RBorsato

Gusler

Arizona

4/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

The pour a deep blackberry color, the head is medium chocolate brown, creamy in consistency, modest in size, the lace velum like sheets that cling to the glass till the last drop. Nose is malt, molasses like tones, roasted grains, and quite "Sniffable" for a "Lager". Front malt sweet, the top light to medium in mouthfeel. The finish is potently hopped, quite dry, meekly acidic. Personally, only one of a handful of "Lagers", that I find entertaining and worthy of recommending. Ranks #346 on my current 1000 beer master list.

Serving type: bottle

10-15-2002 15:44:30 | More by Gusler

marc77

California

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

Deep garnet hue w/ excellent clarity. Beige head settles in to a dense, tight layer that leaves lace. The aroma is comprised of nutty and toasty Munich malt, mellow dark chocolate, & hints of black malt sharpness. Beneath the dark caramel profile lies a lightly herbal Hersbrucker hop nose. Quite appetizing aromawise. Clean roasted grain bitterness upfront fades into a combination of dark caramel sweetness & subtle prune - like fruitiness, while bittersweet dark chocolate is present as a constant from start to finish. Dryish mouthfeel. The light hop bitterness allows black patent bitterness to dominate. Finishes w/ a light brown sugar sweetness fading. Although abounding in malt character, this brew retains a refined, elegant dryness of a well lagered brew. Very enjoyable.

Serving type: bottle

08-22-2002 07:37:08 | More by marc77

jreitman

California

4.33/5  rDev +8.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Black with a nice light brown head. Noticeable chocolate aromas in the nose. Taste was a whole lot of malt with nice burnt character. Moderately bitter finish. My first schwarzbier... I think I will be trying some more.

Serving type: bottle

06-04-2002 22:06:34 | More by jreitman

packetknife

Idaho

4.4/5  rDev +10%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

It's desert. Desert. At first glance most people are turned-off. It's dark with a dark head. At first sip people are suprised. It smells like burned cookers chocolate. Definatly one to try and make a seasonal habit of.

Serving type: bottle

04-21-2002 10:33:43 | More by packetknife

pbrian

Connecticut

4.75/5  rDev +18.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Very fresh, clean and smooth. Burnt malt aroma and flavors with hints of Saaz mingled into both as well. The finish lasts forever, leaving you with a lingering malt bitterness at the back of the throat making you want for more.

Serving type: bottle

12-12-2001 08:08:24 | More by pbrian

ThreePistols

Florida

4.53/5  rDev +13.3%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

This is a very malty brew, four different malts are used in the brewing, but this is balanced by a generous helping of Saaz hops. As befits a proper lager, it is stored (lagered) for 70 days in the cellars of the brewery before bottling.

A gold medal was awarded at the Czech Beer Competition in 2000.

Deep ruby color with a creamy brown head with lace till the end. A smooth, refreshing and malty-hoppy aroma, with yeasty notes. The initial palate is full-on bitter chocolate, with good malt character and some vanilla creaminess, complimented by peachy notes on the swallow: the overall smoothness speaks of conscientious lagering. Then the Saaz shows itself with a marked, bracing hop kick in the finish. A lingering bitter chocolate aftertaste.

This is an exceptional beer when drunken ice cold. Very drinkable, I reached the bottom of each glass before I knew it.

Serving type: bottle

12-01-2001 01:01:10 | More by ThreePistols