Duck-Rabbit Schwarzbier - The Duck-Rabbit Craft Brewery

jrallen34

Illinois

4.1/5  rDev +1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Thanks to Alex for a nice D-R, 12oz bottle into a Bells tulip...Pours a dark brown, looks a little watery though, a small off white head, not much retention or lacing...Aroma is nice smoke right off the bat, hints of peat, coffee, and chocolate...The taste is really roasty, coffee, smoke comes through. Not overly complex but good, add some more depth and this would be great.

Serving type: bottle

09-19-2010 18:46:11 | More by jrallen34

dirtylou

Washington

4.28/5  rDev +5.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

12oz single, kindly gifted by blackie

enjoyed during bears-steelers.

if you self-proclaim yourself "the dark beer specialists" then your schwarz had better be good.

appearance: nice pour into a great dane imperial pint glass, extremely dark body, inky black, creamy chocolate cap and nice lace

smell: smokey, sugared dates and raisin, peat, toffee, roasted barley

taste: nice bold flavor - big roasted malts, dry chocolate, smokey and earthy, dried dark fruit...big on roast and big on smoke, this one is clearly in the same vein as the other duck rabbit darks

mouhfeel: creamy, moderate roast-bitterness, full body

drinkability: good

Serving type: bottle

09-20-2009 21:39:01 | More by dirtylou

tpd975

Florida

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

A: Pours a nice dark black, tan head good retention and some spotty lace.

S: Light smoke, loads of chocolate, coffee, and a tinge of hops.

T: Nice brew, rich with a touch of smoked malt. Rich bitter chocolate with some acrid coffee. Another good DR brew.

M: Medium in body nice carbonation solid

D: Good I really like it.

Serving type: bottle

11-14-2010 23:14:00 | More by tpd975

smakawhat

Maryland

3.73/5  rDev -7.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured from the botle into a nonic pint glass.

A two finger toffee brown and sticky character looking head is made, sitting on a real nice dark ruby red body. Head falls normally. Great looking body color.

Ripped husky grains, and light malts, mixed with a very light balance of milk chocolate and coffee. Real nice, impressive.

Taste is, lager like and almost crisp, mostly with a burnt grain sense. Sharp bitter and almost hoppy, with a little coffee. Texture is a little too gaseous, but still pleasurable. A little sour also on the fnish.

Overall though, the great nose does not bring the wonderful taste expected, but it is still another enjoyable beer from the Duck.

Serving type: bottle

09-01-2011 22:38:37 | More by smakawhat

AgentZero

Illinois

3.53/5  rDev -12.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A - Dark bee, almost black, that's a little transparent when held up to the light. Small bit of off-white head that didn't leave anything on the sides.

S - Roasted malts, coffee, little bit of chocolate, some yeast, mild hop aroma.

T - Chocolate with some roasted malt, coffee, little bit of hops, hints of licorice, some yeast. It's pretty solid.

M - Smooth, medium bodied, moderate carbonation.

O - Not a bad beer, particularly for a style that often ends up boring. Would drink this again.

Serving type: bottle

07-18-2011 04:36:13 | More by AgentZero

blackie

Virginia

4.28/5  rDev +5.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

a: pilsner glass, the scwarz is a deep stained chestnut brown in color, capped with a light mocha head that shows good retention and lace

s: big aromas of dry, charred barley dominate with undertones of cocoa and earthy hops mostly masked by the roast, smoked meats and a touch of lager malt underneath, some mildly caramelized sugars, it's evident already that D-R has taken a very unique approach to the style - kicking up the roasted barley to levels not really found in other examples

m: carbonation on the full side, creates a surprisingly creamy mouthfeel in combination with the light-medium body

t: much like the aroma, rich charred barley is the dominant flavor here, big roasts suggest coffee and cocoa dances underneath with a light toffee sweetness on a supportive body of clean malt, finishes with a lingering dry roast (surprise!) and mild bitterness, with sub-flavors of meat left on the grill to the point of carbonization, does all this make a good Schwarz? I dunno, but I dig it

d: easy, drinks like (and very much resembles) a dry Irish stout, drinks well and continues to do so even after warming

six-pack from Whole Foods, Vienna, VA...glad to have the Duck-Rabbits up here in the Commonwealth

sampled subsequently on tap at Bierria Paradiso DC and have found it to be considerably more appealing in bottled form

Serving type: bottle

08-05-2009 01:21:28 | More by blackie

tdm168

North Carolina

4.13/5  rDev +2.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Thanks to jtd1969 for leaving this in my fridge.

A - pitch black with a huge, dense, brown head with great retention

S - roasted malt, faint chocolate, faint lager yeast, a hint of coffee

T - roasted malt, bitter, faint chocolate, lager yeast

M - crisp, well carbonated, medium bodied

This is a solid schwarzbier though it's a bit bitter and a little bitey. The chocolate and roasted malts give it a great flavor. It's highly drinkable and very enjoyable. I'll definitely have this again.

Serving type: bottle

07-22-2012 23:20:01 | More by tdm168

DrDemento456

Pennsylvania

3.85/5  rDev -4.7%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

A - Pours pitch black (expected from a black lager) with a coco head. Cool
S - Roasty malts and slight coffee with a bit of grass.
T - Slight roasty flavor with a touch of of licorice and a bit of hop bite. Pretty solid for the style
M - Light and thin yet I have no idea what the ABV is. Really wish they put it on the label.
D - Well I didn't love it or hate it but I don't think I will ever pick it up again. Still very interesting beer but wasn't as bad as expect. Meh.

Serving type: bottle

05-05-2010 06:30:04 | More by DrDemento456

Jwale73

Rhode Island

3.78/5  rDev -6.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Thanks to BucketBoy for the generous extra. 12oz. bottle served in a pilsener glass. Best by 11/11 notched on the label. Pours the color and clarity of cola with a loose, one inch, khaki-colored head. Head eventually settles into a solid skim with thick swaths of lacing revealed during the tasting. Nose suggests cocoa and lactose (similar to what I get from a milk stout) as well as a hint of wheat. Taste consistent with nose - chalky cocoa and a light metallic character and a slightly watery quality. Mouthfeel is light-bodied with an even carbonation. Easy drinking and flavorful, but I've had better examples of the style. That being said, it still goes down quite easy.

Serving type: bottle

10-20-2010 00:49:12 | More by Jwale73

onix1agr

Pennsylvania

4.2/5  rDev +4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Single bottle poured into a Lancaster Brewing glass.

A- This has a dark porter like look with a deep black shade. The head rose up two inches or so with a dark tan look, semi thick. When i came back it was mearly a cap which left minimal but noticable lacing.

S- The smell is weird considering this is a black lager. While awaiting mostly grain and the like, this one had some chocolate with some sweet malt, just a hint of cream. I do get some grain from this though.

T- This is a great beer, kind of a very light stout with small chocolate and minimal cocco. Some roast comes from the malt, a small and ample amount. Just a touch of bitterness from the hops, almost none existant.

M&D- The feel on this was smooth as hell, almost like a milk stout. the body was light and the carb was on point. no rough spots, very creamy. The lightness makes this a real winner and a huge drinker, will get more for the upcoming cold months.

Serving type: bottle

09-24-2009 06:05:01 | More by onix1agr

oline73

Maryland

4.13/5  rDev +2.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a bottle into a Sam Adams perfect pint.

Appearance: Pours black with some reddish brown at the edges. There is a finger of light tan head with decent retention.

Smell: Roasty but in a smooth way. Notes of chocolate and sweet malt as well.

Taste: Just like the smell, roasty but very smooth. Dark chocolate notes with a mild sweetness. Good amount of sweetness to counter the malt. The finish is a bit bitter. Quite good.

Mouthfeel: Medium body with smooth carbonation and a dry finish.

Overall: Very good. Roasty but super easy to drink because it's so smooth. Would definitely have another.

Serving type: bottle

10-21-2011 02:27:19 | More by oline73

billab914

Virginia

4.1/5  rDev +1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a 12oz bottle into my Sam Adams pint glass. Pours a dark brown with a tan head that reduced to a thin layer covering the beer. Moderate lacing on the glass.

Aroma has moderate amounts of chocolate and roasted grains with some sweetness and a little smoke coming through. Smells a lot like a good stout only less powerful.

Taste shares a lot of the aroma qualities with a moderate bitter chocolate and roasted malt flavor. Slight smokiness is also present.

Mouthfeel is medium bodied and moderate carbonation.

Drinkability is very good, this has a lot of the flavors that are in a good stout except it is lighter and a lot more drinkable. Another excellent dark beer by Duck Rabbit in my opinion.

Serving type: bottle

12-17-2009 23:09:02 | More by billab914

DavoleBomb

Ohio

4.03/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured into a flute. Lot of carbonation going on here. First pour yielded four plus fingers of head.

3.5 A: Black color. Three fingers of frothy light tan head. Good retention, but just touches of spotty lacing.

4.0 S: Dark roast coffee, roasted barley, ashy toastiness, and grainy. Finally, a slight touch of funkiness similar to what you might find in a Berliner.

4.0 T: Taste is much like the nose. Dark roast black coffee, roasted malts, ashy, smoky toastiness, and grainy.

3.5 M: Lighter medium body. Too much carbonation, which gets really annoying trying to pour this one. Roasty aftertaste and reasonably smooth. Anyway, too much carbonation, but okay otherwise.

4.5 D: Solid beer. I've had more than half a dozen of this style now and I'm really starting to appreciate it. Each one has been noticeably different. This one is definitely the roastiest one and is something I'd like to drink at least once a year. Anyway, good drinkability. Tasty and interesting enough to warrant another.

Serving type: bottle

12-07-2010 02:57:49 | More by DavoleBomb

ArrogantB

Colorado

3.68/5  rDev -8.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12oz bottle purchased from Beverage World in Ft. Oglethorpe $2. These guys are the dark beer specialists so I'm sure this will be cool and if they were going to make a lager I guess it would be a dark one. Dark brown, almost black. Smells like rich malts, not bad at all. Flavor is dark lager, reminds me a bit of Full Sail Session black but might be a notch up taste-wise. I would love to be able to get Duck Rabbit Porter and Milk Stout on a regular basis.

Serving type: bottle

09-25-2010 04:06:56 | More by ArrogantB

Hojaminbag

Colorado

4.35/5  rDev +7.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Thanks go out to Mikesgroove for this one.

Duck Rabbit Schwarzbier is a very dark brown that is opaque everywhere except its edges, where a few rats of light pass through to reveal brown and ruby tones. The head is only about a finger thick, but it has a thick, creamy look to it. A few spots of lacing cling to the glass.

As soon as I poor the beer I get a good whiff of a wonderful aroma. Lots of smoke, chocolate, toffee, coffee. Pretty nice.

A ton of sweet chocolate bursts on the scene up front, dominating the flavor. Next comes a good bit of toffee, which is followed by roasted malts and maybe a hint of coffee. The coffee is weak, and it could just be the taste of the roasted malt as it fuses with a little bit of smoke flavor. The finish and aftertaste is where the smoke is strongest; the same goes for the roasted malt. The background has a noticeable yet muted hop flavor that lends a little bit of bitterness and a little bit of citrus flavor to the beer.

The mouthfeel is a little bit creamy, a definitely on the heavy bodied side of the style, which is fine by me.

I was really impressed with this schwarzbier. More so than the few others I've tried from Duck Rabbit. Overall, it isn't the smokiest schwarzbier I've tried, but it is one of the best.

Serving type: bottle

02-26-2010 00:49:51 | More by Hojaminbag

rfgetz

New Jersey

4.2/5  rDev +4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a shiny crude oil black, minimal khaki colored head, little to no retention and lacing. Scent is of dark roasted malts, esspresso beans, chocolate, slightly burnt. Taste follows scent with a dark roasted, sometimes burnt blend of malts, esspresso beans, cocoa powder. Definite hop presence noted as it warms and a lager like twang on the back end. Body is lighter side of medium, enough to hold the dark malt charachter. Very nice Schwarz... a style more Stout/Porter and Imperial Stout heads should give a shot.

Serving type: bottle

11-25-2009 13:53:35 | More by rfgetz

argock

Virginia

4.1/5  rDev +1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a 12oz brown bottle into a clear tulip glass. No freshness date. Single purchased at Wine Warehouse (Charlottesville, VA) for $1.70.

A: Black with no transparency and 2-finger off-white, beige head with good retention and spotty lace.

S: Roasty dark malt nose with soft floral and herbal hops

T: Tastes like a less dry porter or a softer stout with a solid dark malt, roasted flavor with minimal acridity but with herbal, floral hops. A big dose of chocolate comes through the middle and adds both bitterness and sweetness.

M: Lighter than a porter and a stout with a good body and more carbonation. Aftertaste is more in line with a dry stout.

D: A very good brew that really raises the bar for this style done in the US. It's still very easy to drink and a great beer for dark malt lovers. This may well be Duck-Rabbit's best beer.

Serving type: bottle

09-13-2009 02:02:57 | More by argock

atsprings

North Carolina

3.98/5  rDev -1.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On-tap at Flying Saucer served in a standard pint glass a dark almost opaque black with a decent head that diminishes to a ring and leaves slight lacing on the glass. The aroma is a decent amount of roasted malts, dried fruits, cocoa and slight coffee. The taste is a nice subtle blend of roasted malts with subtle yet present coffee, cocoa, and dried fruits with a decent hop backbone. The beer is quite light and refreshing, even on a hot summer day. This is a very respectable version of the style.

Serving type: on-tap

08-02-2009 03:18:22 | More by atsprings

Pencible

Virginia

3.85/5  rDev -4.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

This poured a nearly opaque dark ruby color with a fair amount of tan head. It smelled like roasted barley with muted caramel and coffee and some smoke. It tasted like roasted coffee and burnt barley, with some oak and smoke. It was watery with moderate carbonation, and had a bitter coffee aftertaste. Overall this had an interesting taste that was heavier and smokier than expected from a schwarzbier. Almost seemed more like a smoked porter to me. It had decent body, but nothing great, and was pretty easy to drink. The taste wasn't perfectly clean, but it was generally enjoyable. Given the limited nature of this beer, you can skip it without worrying about missing too much.

Serving type: bottle

08-11-2009 18:43:58 | More by Pencible

ClockworkOrange

Pennsylvania

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

Purchased at Abe's in Bethlehem for around $1.75. Poured from a 12 ounce bottle into my nonic pint glass. Notched freshest by 11/09. The lager appears a nearly opaque dark chestnut color with about an inch of creamy light tan foam. the foam lingers for a bit before settling to a thin layer. Awesome dark roasted grain and bitter cocoa are the first notes to attack the nose and taste-buds, followed by notes of slightly burnt caramelized malt, a touch of smoke and char, grassy hops. Medium in both body and carbonation. Very nice!

Serving type: bottle

08-26-2009 15:45:05 | More by ClockworkOrange

harrymel

Washington

4/5  rDev -1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Best by: 10/2011
A: black and opaque with a finger of dirty brown foam and cobweb lace. Looks nice. (4)
S: Nuts, coffee, hollow co2 chill. Leaves in the fall, a bit muddy. (4)
T: Hints of unsweetened cocoa, coffee grounds, metal and the slightest hazelnut give this an interesting and pleasant flavor. Never thought I’d say this, but this beer might benefit from the smallest addition of smoke malt. (4)
M: Nice and smooth with a light body and dry finish. (4)
O: Good beer. Could drink this on a cool summer night in volume. (4)

Serving type: bottle

11-11-2011 17:07:46 | More by harrymel

Jayli

Massachusetts

4.18/5  rDev +3.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Can't recall who I acquired this one from ...
Poured in to a pint glass

A: This beer pours black in color, minor mahogany hues around the bottom edges when held to the light. A two finger of foamy, creamy tan head. Head has ridiculously nice retention and leaves ringlets of sticky lacing on the glass.

S: Nose is deep roasted malts, light chocolate notes, roasted grain, and a hint of hops.

T: Taste starts with a bit of roasted grain before being taken over by prominent chocolate notes. Chocolate notes hang out while taking on a hoppy, grassy flavoring. Charred malts and minor hints of coffee come in during the finish along with some dry cocoa nib flavoring.

M: Lighter side of medium body, high carbonation, very prickly on the tongue, with a touch oily finish.

D: Goes down easily, very tasty, not too filling, mild kick, nice representation of style. I highly enjoyed this beer - it's one that I would revisit often. The only down side for me was that the carbonation was a touch too much.

Serving type: bottle

02-03-2011 03:10:18 | More by Jayli

CrellMoset

Virginia

4.15/5  rDev +2.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Bottle courtesy of dkachur - thanks!! Poured into a traditional pint glass.

Appearance: Pours a deep mahogany brown - dark but not quite opaque enough to fail to be transparent - such that it does that thing that when you hold it up to the light, you can only see that dull, reddish light, glowing in the center of the beer. The cocoa-colored head fades relatively quickly - just, fizzzz, fades into nothingness - but does leave a persistent sheen of lace throughout, the perpetuity of which is likely helped by what I perceive to be a fair amount of crisp, fast carbonation as evidenced by the continuous little explosions of bubbles in to the dusting. Lacing is an afterthought.

Aroma: An incredibly authentically earthy smell. Very strong toast up front, not burnt but heavily toasted. And whatever's toasted was originally very wholesome, earthy, almost oaty, but way lighter than that. Faint chocolate emerges upon agitation, and the earthiness + toast is reminiscent of a fairly full city coffee, probably an asian blend (Sumatra?).

Taste: Soft and sweet dextrins compliment the dry, roasty, earthiness well, resulting in a fairly synergistic and dynamic flavor profile characterized by earth, faint cocoa, coffee overtones, toast, dark toffee, a bit of caramel, light fruity esters, and a nice amount of hop bitterness in the fade, giving this one a very traditionally German underpinning but also a sly American send off in the finish. Classic Duck Rabbit.

Mouthfeel: Incredibly smooth and and creamy, but lightly creamy. The carbonation is incredibly well done for a beer of this thinness - that is, relatively thin.

Drinkability: Good to know that Duck Rabbit is branching out. I missed their doppelbock when it was around ("around" being a relative term, as Duck Rabbit kegs only occasionally make it up here to Virginia and less frequently to Charlottesville, but I imagine the doppelbock was not one of the few we got/get), but I hear that - in addition to this Scwarzbier - they'll be bottling their doppelbock next year as well as adding a Marzen to their lineup in the next few months. A trio of difficult-to-properly-pull-off styles from the "dark beer experts" (a tagline I still dislike, as I think it smacks of beer stereotyping, but I digress) has me looking forward to the next entry. Kudos, Duck Rabbit.

Serving type: bottle

08-07-2009 03:48:51 | More by CrellMoset

aerozeppl

New York

4.47/5  rDev +10.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A: Black with only the slightest hint of brown around the edges. Really nice looking beer. A little bit of coffee colored head with minimal head retention.

S: Huge chocolate and roast character. Little bit of sweetness in the back end and a touch of lager yeast. The chocolate and roast are really pleasing though.

T: Smooth as part of the taste. The chocolate and roast are so nice and work so well together that this beer is a joy. The most flavorful example of the style I have had by far.

M: To style the mouthfeel is light and never overbearing. Nicely carbonated.

D: Really nice drinker for a cool evening. We have snow on the ground here so it was time. I have had their super rare one off stuff but their normal seasonals should not be overlooked.

Serving type: bottle

11-08-2010 23:55:18 | More by aerozeppl

alleykatking

Indiana

4.33/5  rDev +7.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured from 12oz bottle. I don't remember who gave me this but I really enjoyed it!

A- Pours a near black color. Light red hues when held to the light on the sides of the glass. One finger light tan head stays for a short bit before becoming just film on the top of the beer. Some light streaking lacing that slides down the glass.

S- Some roasted and light smoked malts upfront. Very clean smelling by far. Some light chocolate notes bring in a bittersweet aroma to the beer. Some very light whiffs of coffee every now and then.

T- Sweet chocolate and light bitter smokey malts upfront. There is more of lager body in the middle with a light hopping in the back end of this beer. The darker color fools you into thinking this is going to be a stout style but it's not. Nice lager with some baby stout like qualities.

M- Medium mouthfeel. Carbonation is good for the style. Light drying in the mouth as I sipped on this. Roasted bittersweet malts left on the palate with some light hopping in the aftertaste. Clean tasting through and through.

D- This was a very good beer for a company whom I've not had much from. I think this is a wonderful style that most people overlook. I would love to get my hands on more of this!

Serving type: bottle

03-20-2010 14:09:47 | More by alleykatking