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

wl0307

United Kingdom (England)

3.93/5  rDev -1.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

(Transcribed from notes) Tasted on cask at two JDW pubs in London, Nov. 2005, during the Spoon's Holloween Beer Festival. The pump-clip says its imported exclusively for JDW, and to serve a Czech beer on cask-conditioned form really is quite interesting.

A: pours an ebony hue with brownish glows when seen against light, coming with a thick and tightly frothy tan head with great retention. Looking just amazing on the handpull~~
S: colourful~~ caramely sweet and dark chocolatey note of black malts with light roastiness and leather, against a background of sour-sweet plum juice, cherry jam, bread-doughy sour note, sour edge of raw nuts, soaked red-grape skins... the combo. is almost like the liquid form of rum-raisin and nut buttery cookies... ensued by a refreshing, floating aroma of spicy+grassy Saaz hops... Complex and very pleasant indeed.
T: a mouthful of sour-sweet dark fruitiness (plummy and a bit vinous) prevails upfront, along with soft-textured but profound roasted maltiness (plus a tinge of leather) and cherry-flavoured chocolates... leading to a mild aftertone full of clove+licorice, caramelised sugar, herbal bitterness, and more darkest chocolates' sour-bitter edge, going deeper and deeper down the throat...
M&D: a touch too smooth for this fantastic lager, but the cask-interpretation is not bad at all! The low fizziness makes this beer slightly watery at the back, but this remains a medium-bodied and fullsome Czech dark lager, which is less rich and positively smoother. A nice experiment that I feel so happy to bump into twice at JDW pubs, and feel even more lucky that it's on form on both visits!!

Serving type: cask

06-15-2006 02:59:16 | More by wl0307

beerthulhu

New Jersey

4.22/5  rDev +5.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Poured a opaque black with a rocky light beige head that was moderately lasting.

S: a smooth dark roasted grain aroma, coffee, chocolate, with some rich dark fresh fruit (raisins).

T: The initial flavor was rich, dark roasted grains, like espresso beans, but very smooth and soft around the edges and not at all bitter. There was some dark cherries, licorice and a light smokiness as well adding to the complexity. There was a nice breadiness to the palate with some dark caramelized sugar notes. A noticeable licorice flavor is detected in the finish.

M: medium bodied, with a nice viscosity but very smooth and light from the carbonation letting the rich dark roasted nature coat the tongue with a nice film lacing.

D: Drinkability was very smooth, rich and light on the tongue providing for a good experience.

Serving type: bottle

03-20-2008 00:38:24 | More by beerthulhu

kojevergas

California

3.48/5  rDev -13%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Served on draught into a Staropramen pint glass at the Czech Inn, Dublin.

A: One finger head of fair cream but poor retention. Hazy dark copper cola.

Sm: Very light nut-hoppy scent.

T: Nutty hops, vanilla, slight caramel body. Finish complements the body, which is well-balanced.

Mf: Adequately coarse and nicely wet.

Dr: Not badly priced for Dublin, and worthy for fans of the style.

Serving type: on-tap

03-11-2011 00:18:19 | More by kojevergas

stcules

Italy

3.63/5  rDev -9.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Dark color, with dark red edges. Beige head, one finger, quite compact.
Lightsmell, a lightly toasted malt, chicory, some burnt note.
At the taste again toasted, burnt, burnt coffee, chicory. Good, intense and pleasant.
In the aftertaste again toasted and burnt notes, and then a long bitterness of chicory and bitter herbs.

Serving type: bottle

07-30-2009 12:45:30 | More by stcules

bark

Sweden

3.73/5  rDev -6.8%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

The colour is pitch-dark. The finger thick head is yellowish. Some lacing occurs.

The smell is creamy and fruity. Some roasted notes and chemical hints of paraffin and diacetyl.

The taste is Creamy with mild roasted flavours. Fruity flavours of apples, cherry jam and fruit drops. Chemical hints of candlegrease. The creamy aftertaste is rather mild with mild neutral bitter flavours and just a touch of smoke.

The carbonation is medium strong; the bubbles are very fresh. The liquid is smooth.

A very pleasant and smooth schwarzbier, although I could live without the candlegrease flavours. It might go well with mild delicatessen like Italian mortadella. Or perhaps a Brie?

Serving type: bottle

07-06-2010 10:38:23 | More by bark

blackie

Virginia

3.93/5  rDev -1.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

When I pour the beer into the glass, a one finger khaki head is created. The color is a very dark shade of brown, almost black...but some brown light does filter through.

Some slight coffee aromas on the nose. An extremely small amount of esters are in there. There is an aroma that I first had trouble nailing down, but after some pondering I figure that old, stale whole grain bread is the best descriptor for the smell. Hops are very slight.

Carbonation is on the lower side of medium and the body is medium.

Again, the same coffee flavors as on the nose, but more pronounced on the tongue. Mild flavors of toasted malts. Slight hop bitterness that carries a little ways into the finish. Finishes also with some lingering roasted malt notes and a slight astringency.

Serving type: bottle

08-10-2005 07:51:09 | More by blackie

merlin48

Kentucky

4.05/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

500 ml bottle with label that says this was lagered 70 days in the cellars of their 500 year old castle brewery. Nice label. Disembarks from the bottle with a very dark, but clear, pour into the glass, where it sits with a nearly opaque dark body. A small, light brown head retains well enough and leaves some spotty patch on the glass. Body is a radiant red mahogany when held to light.

Aroma is dominated by scorched dark malts, with notes of burnt coffee and bitter chocolate. Some figs and licorice add an interesting dimension to the rather restrained nose. Some spicy Saaz hops are also apparent.

Slightly creamy mouthfeel is medium bodied and the carbonation seems a bit overdone.

Taste is well balanced with a soothing complexity. Dark chocolate, a hint of coffee, and some molasses sweetness are immediately noticed. Some toasted rye bread notes add some intrigue. Saaz hops add a spicy and floral bitterness that balances the sweetness very well. Finishes clean and leaves an even aftertaste.

This is a very nice Schwarzbier, one of my favorite lager styles. Complex and well balanced, this one is an excellent example of the style. A must try if you enjoy dark lagers.

Serving type: bottle

11-17-2005 13:10:20 | More by merlin48

tgbljb

Pennsylvania

4.05/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Poured a deep brown color with boisterous tan head that lasted throughout the glass. Color appeared more reddish when held to the light. Smell is fantastic, a mixture of roated grains, plums, raisins, cherries. Taste is a nice roasted malt with hops only being detectable in the dry finish. Truly an enjoyable beer.

Serving type: bottle

07-22-2005 00:37:39 | More by tgbljb

GCBrewingCo

North Carolina

3/5  rDev -25%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

The beer poured crystal clear black with a ruby highlight. The head was tan, moussy, and fell slowly to both coat and lace the glass.

The aroma was chocolate, coffee and caramel. Actually a very well done aroma for a Schwarzbier.

The flavor was not anything like the aroma. The chocolate flavors were masked by a harsh molasses and coffee flavor. The harshness was on the verge of becoming astringent. No sweetness existed in the flavor, only harsh dark grain bitterness.

The finish was dry with lasting harsh coffee and bitter dark grain harshness. The body was medium light and a bit watery.

16.9 ounce bottle. Says Schwarzbier on the label. Says Schwarzbier in the aroma. Says skip it in the flavor.

Serving type: bottle

11-29-2004 23:52:21 | More by GCBrewingCo

Metalmonk

North Carolina

3.9/5  rDev -2.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4.5

Pours a big light-tan head, topping a ruby-tinted nearly-opaque black color. Little trails and spots of lace; head retains throughout.

Aroma features lots of caramel and toffee, and a little something like toasted chocolate (ie. not burnt).

Flavor recalls milk-drowned cold black coffee with fudgy accents...also some dark fruits. All the while the flavor is light and the beer remains surprisingly crisp. The flavors fall away quite a bit in the finish.

Mouthfeel reminds of some English ales, being pretty low in carbonation, having a nearly flat feel, not much presence in the mouth. Though thin, its silkiness is appreciated.

Very likeable; a great example of the style. Comforting flavors, crazy-easy to drink, wish I'd bought a few more bottles.

Serving type: bottle

04-03-2007 13:19:34 | More by Metalmonk

billab914

Virginia

3.95/5  rDev -1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Poured from a 12oz bottle into my Dogfish shaped pint glass. Pours dark brown, not that far off from black. It started out with a one finger dense tan head covering the top of the beer, and it lasted pretty well into drinking the beer.

The aroma has roasted malt with some caramel and cocoa to it. The taste shows a lot of the cocoa and caramel that the nose had but not a lot of roastedness. It has a very smooth not very bitter, not very sweet quality to it.

The mouthfeel is medium bodied with average carbonation. It has a nice appropriate mouthfeel to it, not too thick or heavy and a decent amount of carbonation.

Drinkability is pretty good, it has some good roasted malt flavors but is also pretty smooth and drinkable. It was a nice enjoyable and flavorful beer.

Serving type: bottle

04-08-2010 23:41:55 | More by billab914

rfgetz

New Jersey

4.13/5  rDev +3.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Bottle from a BOTM Club...

A - Rich, deeo dark mahogany bordering on black. Rich, thich khaki head wich lasts a few minutes. Good lacing

S - Dark roasted malts, chocolate and dark fruit notes

T - Roasted malts with a decent amount of bitter dark chocolate. Some coffee notes thrown in with a touch of sweetness.

M - Medium bodied, decent carbonation (dont let the huge head fool ya). Nice coating of the palate without being sticky or lingering.

D - Very, Very nice dark lager. Drank along with a Sam Adams Black Lager and this blew it away.

Serving type: bottle

07-29-2009 15:34:33 | More by rfgetz

rarbring

Sweden

3.5/5  rDev -12.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

The beer is black, black and slightly red, a tan head leaving some lacing.

The smell is sweet, dried fruits, syrup, nuts and soy sauce.

Tasting of nut fudge, syrup with vanilla, waffles and red dried fruits.

Medium high carbonation, small bubbles, a medium small body and a dry finish.

A light, fruity and sweet black beer.

Serving type: bottle

07-04-2011 18:13:24 | More by rarbring

rastaman

United Kingdom (England)

3.28/5  rDev -18%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Like burnt raisin toast, failry sweet raisiny start, with a burnt, but not roasty finish, some mollasses i there and a slight bitterness. Somehow, i expected a lot more, but in saying that, theres nothing wrong with this, a little sweet if anything..

Serving type: bottle

09-09-2003 00:49:01 | More by rastaman

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

lackenhauser

Maryland

3.93/5  rDev -1.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Very black in color with a nice chestnut hue when held to the light. Small tan head. Decent aroma-malty with some roasted notes. Good malty, bold flavor with a blend of roasted and chocolate notes. Theres a tad hashness I cant place my finger on it almost seems as it might be a freshness issue. Overall the flavor is well done just this one element of it. Good body for style. A very drinkable beer. More roasted flavor then a lot of schwarzbiers I have had. Tends to be a bit more upfront and pronounced overall.

Serving type: bottle

10-13-2005 19:47:19 | More by lackenhauser

armock

New York

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

A - Poured a black color with a brown head that leaves lacing behind

S - Is of roasted malt with chocolate scents

T - Roasted malt and bitter chocolate at first then a slight coffee finish

M - This beer has a medium body with medium carbonation to it

D - This is a style that I'm starting to like more these days and I think this is one of my favorites so far it has a better stronger taste and is easier to drink then the others I've had its worth a try sometime

Serving type: bottle

09-15-2009 19:19:13 | More by armock

StJamesGate

New York

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

Pours black with a tawny head - identical to stout at a distance. No lacing. Nose is mulch and Marmite. Pine sap, woodsmoke in the middle and spicy Saaz to finish. Lively, oily with a light to medium body.

Dark, wintery flavors. May be too much to have more than a couple, but still close to the perfect example of the style.

Edit: Drinkability to Overall.

Serving type: bottle

11-01-2009 22:43:41 | More by StJamesGate

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

wedge

North Carolina

4.1/5  rDev +2.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pours a deep, dark garnet hue - clear, with a thick tan head of tight bubbles. Big aroma of dark bread, dark berries, and an underlying layer of sweetness. Tasty roasted malt flavor with a sweetness that brings chocolate to mind. Smoothly melded noble hops and a woody, kind of cedary, hint. The saaz hops are noticeable, but not like in a pilsener, they compliment the roastiness very well. Smooth, medium mouthfeel.

I like it. Very drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

11-16-2006 04:29:50 | More by wedge

aracauna

Georgia

3.85/5  rDev -3.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Cola black body with light penetrating, but not all that easily. There’s a moderate khaki head that lingers for a bit then fades completely. The aroma is cake-like with a bit of chocolate and a bit of roast. The flavor is nice with more chocolate and more roast. There’s a little more body there than some schwarzbiers, but that’s a good thing. This is a really enjoyable lager.

Serving type: bottle

12-03-2004 02:12:46 | More by aracauna

MuddyFeet

North Carolina

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

Poured a smooth, but thin looking near-black in color. Lots of foamy head that was slightly tinted khaki. Not much light could pierce through the glass. Nose is malty and just a hint of smoke and ash rise to the nostrils. Nice mild beer. Superbly drinkable. No particular sulphuric tones which has been the downfall of many schwarzbiers in my experience. Lots of toasted malts. Thin feeling but appropriately so.

Serving type: bottle

10-15-2006 00:51:16 | More by MuddyFeet

SaCkErZ9

Florida

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

Poured from a 500ml bottle into a pint glass. A nice, one finger sized head forms on the beer. Dissolves at a fairly slow pace and leaves a white sheet of lace on top. Nice lacing as well. Almost opaque but a purple/brown hue is visible in the bottom of the glass.

Smell is ordinary. Doesnt hint toward anything. Caramel malts is about all.

Taste is quite hearty. Toasty and bready flavor. Not a whole lot of chocolate or coffee which seems odd. Tastes nice alltogether.

Mouthfeel is pretty dry. Clean on the palate as well. Medium bodied I would say. A decent all around beer.

Serving type: bottle

04-06-2006 19:53:41 | More by SaCkErZ9

mdagnew

United Kingdom (Northern Ireland)

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

500ml bottle bought from Tescos...

Poured a very deep dark mahogany brown. Dirty mocha head poured thick and meringue like then faded very slowly to good thick, pock marked coating... very light wispy lacing...

Aroma - Very strong toasted bread, lightly roasted milk chocolate maltiness, light smokiness, caramel, leathery and woody notes, coffee notes, treacle sweetness, burnt nuttiness, buttery, some dark fruit notes (dates, some apples)..

Taste – Nice strong roasted caramel malts, peppery hop bitterness, espresso coffee, creamy chocolate, some rich sticky fig and date fruitiness, some light vanilla notes, toasted malty bread, molasses sweetness, light spiciness...

Feel - Pretty rich and smooth with just a little sharpness underneath... medium bodied.. extremely quaffable - i could happily drink this all evening..

Overall - A superb Schwarzbier - the best i've tasted so far... definitely recommended...

Serving type: bottle

08-28-2007 13:44:29 | More by mdagnew

PorterLambic

Florida

3.95/5  rDev -1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Thank you, Howie, Dawn, et al., at the Cock & Bull for continually bringing in new brewers. This is my first from this particular brewery and I'm looking forward to the next one.

Pours black, pitch black. No color hanging around the edges, just deep, dark black. A creamy but very small head ensues with no real lacing.
Smell is smoky like kielbasa cooked on a BBQ grill, roasted malt, hops, coffee. Nice complexity and well-balanced too.
Taste is almost as good as the smell with the same smoke (smoked meat?), malt, coffee and hops. The smoke is not anywhere near as heavy as a rauchbier but it is not a shy little hint flirting around the edges either.
Mouthfeel is smooth with a decent hop presence and a medium body.
Drinkability: it's good, quite good in fact, but it is no Kostritzer.

Serving type: bottle

06-20-2005 02:08:07 | More by PorterLambic