Saranac Black Forest - Matt Brewing Company

u2carew

Massachusetts

3.75/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

1 quart "growler"
A) Pours with an active head - tan, creamy, sticky. Mahogany / Ruby in color.
S) Not robustly aromatic. Some bread. Roasted grains.
T) Caramel. Light molasses. Smoky notes. Very mellow hops in the finish.
M) Full bodied. Light alcohol effervescence. Smooth.
D) A very good brew. I'd definitely drink another.

Serving type: growler

08-13-2009 22:18:36 | More by u2carew

Poormon79

New York

4.38/5  rDev +17.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A. Very dark looking. Thin head

S. Smelled a bit hoppy. Hint of malt

T. It had a very pleasent hoppy taste. Full beer taste

M. Great lingering taste. Full bodied

D. I had this in a growler, i imagine the bottles would be great as well and a little easier to drink.

Final Thoughts: A very enjoyable beer. I liked very much. Its a local brew so i have to give kudos

Serving type: growler

05-09-2009 04:20:59 | More by Poormon79

brianlg

Ohio

3.45/5  rDev -7.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

1 quart growler. Pours a dark black, with dark reddish brown appearance in light. Not much head at all, just some tan bubbles. It smells of malt, not much in the sense of smell, or maybe my nose is off today. The taste is very good! It tastes malty, a little bit of caramel, and you can also taste a hoppy bitterness. There is a nice amount of carbonation. It tastes very good! Mouthfeel is nice and smooth, it feels very light. I am very pleased with this beer, it was only $3 for a quart. Well worth it!

Serving type: growler

04-01-2009 18:00:37 | More by brianlg

Vendetta

New Jersey

2.42/5  rDev -34.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 1 | overall: 1.5

Pours black, decent sized brown head. Lacing.

Aroma is of malt, coffee, dry roastiness. Though not incredibly present, it does the job during the sip.

The taste is somewhat good -- very roasted, coffee. Malty.

The true downfall of this beer is the mouthfeel. Holy carbonation. This is more carbonated than even most of the light beers and might be the most overcarbonated beer that I've ever tried. It completely ruined the experience for me, and I'll be steering way clear of this. It also severely damaged the drinkability of the beer itself.

It's a shame, too, because the makings are there for a quality brew but the execution just fell fall short. Disappointing.

Serving type: growler

02-08-2009 20:30:40 | More by Vendetta

lionking

Pennsylvania

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

Poured from a thiry-two ounce growler into a glass.

Appearance. Poured a one to two finger head which quickly disapeared. Reddish black color with lacing left on the glass as I drank it down.

Smell. This beer smelled like malt with fruit and nuts.

Taste. The taste is bitter due to the dark chocolate

Mouthfeel. The mouthfeel with this beer is a little lighter than expected from its appearance. I suppose that is what distinguishes a schwarzbier from a porter or a stout

Overall drinkability is excellent.

Serving type: growler

12-15-2008 04:12:32 | More by lionking

Conrad

Ontario (Canada)

3.9/5  rDev +4.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Poured into a big stein. My cousin bought me a growler from the PX at Ft Lee, so I just had to drink it out of gratitude.
A: Dark as old sin. Over half inch of thick creamy head that stayed through the drink and left lots of pretty lacing.

S: Sweetis, caramel malts upfront with a bit of of grassy/floral hops sneaking in back. Thin but enjoyable aroma.

T: Yum. Immediate taste of caramel, followed by dark fruit like plum and raisin. The hops is subdued but still present.

M: Medium to full bodied. Smooth without being too syrupy. Most enjoyable.

D: I'm glad it came in a growler size. That's a lot of beer. I like the way the foam clings to my moustache.

Nice artwork on the lable. Another fine addition to my collection. (1060 labels so far)

Serving type: growler

10-30-2008 19:10:03 | More by Conrad

evanackerman

Minnesota

3.83/5  rDev +3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Purchased this beer in a "Mini Growler", beer pours a nice dark brown with a billowing head, nice lacing as beer is enjoyed.

aroma is brown bread/molasses with a touch of piney hops, very nice.

taste is tosted malt, with a touch of hope bitterness, not an overly aggressive flavor profile, tastes a bit like a tamed down porter, enjoyable flavor but not outstanding.

mouthfeel is good but could have a bit more viscosity.

overall, a solid beer, there are just not enough of this great style produced in the US, my favorite is Sprecher's Black Bavarian but I can't get that here in Maine, Saranac Black forest is an acceptable substitute.

Serving type: growler

09-28-2008 18:52:41 | More by evanackerman

Traquairlover

Virginia

4.33/5  rDev +16.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a growler into a pilsner glass.

A = Clear dark reddish brown with a large light tan head, fair retention, medium lacing.

S = Very crisp scents of white pepper and rye bread dough.

T = Upfront good malt flavors of light caramel and half baked bread, good bitterness hits at mid-palate and continues into finish, less spice than expected from the smell, but well balanced and refreshing.

M = Medium-light body, good carbonation which foams but not too much contributing to great mouthcoating without stinging tongue.

D = This is an excellent beer to sit around and enjoy.

Serving type: growler

09-06-2008 15:47:05 | More by Traquairlover

Mit

Ontario (Canada)

3/5  rDev -19.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2

Bought a growler of this when I was over the border.

Very nice appearance that was in keeping with a black beer. No head to speak of mind you. Dark in the glass with some slight caramel colouring when held up to the light.

Smell was mostly sweet and malty.

Taste was fairly mild compared to what I think a black beer would be like. Very sweet tasting as the beer warmed up to room temperature.

Mouthfeel was nice and heavy. I almost felt like I was drinking a porter.

Drinkability. I would say that drinkability is low as the sweetness becomes somewhat cloying as it warms up.

Serving type: growler

08-24-2008 00:09:27 | More by Mit

mhewes

Colorado

4.33/5  rDev +16.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A : Pours a nice dark brown/black with a tan head that leaves good lacing

S : Strong caramel smell with some roasted malts. Some fruit notes also. It actually reminds me of a Dr Pepper

T : Good caramel and chocolate flavors that go with the malt. There is just enough hop bitterness to balance it out

M : Crisp and smooth

D : Easily drinkable. I could session this one

Serving type: growler

06-07-2008 17:27:31 | More by mhewes

Gambrinus1184

Connecticut

4.1/5  rDev +10.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a 32 oz. growler into a plain pint glass.

A: Pours a nice dark cola color with ruby and tan accentuations and a thin veil of white foam.

S: Smells a bit sweet and nutty with caramel and licorice aromas.

T: The sweet nutty flavor is balanced with some moderate hopping and a deep roasted coffee/cocoa flavor. It's not too heavy of a brew though, so the flavors don;t become cloying.

M: Mouthfeel is medium bodied and smooth.

D: Nice roasted flavor, manageable ABV and a great growler presentation made this a very drinkable beer on all levels. Great for a session or dessert beer.

Saranac brews are generally disappointing, given the fact they all taste almost identical save a few minor details. However, the Black Forest, with it's menacing black bear on the label, is a keeper.

Serving type: growler

04-20-2008 18:52:36 | More by Gambrinus1184

taez555

Massachusetts

4/5  rDev +7.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

32oz mini growler/bottle. From notes, tasted 1/20/08

This beer poured a mild dark brown body with a thick white head.

Nose is a light caramel and some roasted/toasted malt. Mild dark fruits sit along with some earth but it diminishes in place of roasted and caramel notes.

Taste is medium bodied with a little creamy texture. Loads of caramel and toasted malt. Dark roasted coffee beans. A dark roasted bitterness dominates rather than the typical hop bitterness. There's a nice dark fruit flavor throughout, like prune or dark grape juice. There's a mild stone and granite taste with an earthy hop flavor. Finishes mild.

A nice solid schwarzbier. Love the bottle/growler.

Serving type: growler

02-18-2008 21:04:41 | More by taez555

giblet

Ohio

3.53/5  rDev -5.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

the bottle was titled as a growler but it was a quart with a screw type cap. i liked the package cuz i had some last night and will finish today.

i really enjoyed this beer. nice dark rich color. nice head that settled down with nice lace. the smell was rich and chocalate. the taste was quite pleasant with rich malt.

i will certainly get this one again and will search for more from this brewer.

i recomend this one but dont expect to drink a lot of them. it is rich.

suckem up and movem out.

giblet

Serving type: growler

07-07-2007 09:59:28 | More by giblet

BuffaloBill91

New York

3.8/5  rDev +2.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Got this in a mini growler- more like a big 1qt bottle nice price 2.99

This brew pours pretty blackish with ruby or actually more of a garnet tone to it when up to the light-pours a nice 2 finger tan head that lasts for a while this looks like porter to me..
If there is anything that I think this beer is lacking its in the smell- this doesn't have much of a scent maybe some malt and mild fruitiness..
I think that that beer tastes excellent sweet caramel and mildly bitter chocolate taste--I also taste some dark fruit- guessing it is blackberry.. I think its a great blend that finishes still both mildly bitter and sweet..impressive.
The mouthfeel is average -light to medium bodied - has a dry feel as if it would have a higher ABV without the hot head but that doesn't take away from its drinkability -- I almost wish this was a thicker brew- seems to me like it belongs that way...
This is highly drinkable and I think its easily a session beer.. This is becoming one of my favorite offerings on saranacs long list and I look out for it...I was happy to find this mini grower from them since I cant ever seem to find it in a pack that isnt a mixed pack

Serving type: growler

05-18-2007 11:27:23 | More by BuffaloBill91

yourunclewalt

New York

3.43/5  rDev -7.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 4

(This is my first review, so feel free to take with a grain of salt.)

A – Pours a deceptive black; a deep, blood red when held to light. Two-finger, thick, creamy head that dissipates after a few sips.

S - Extremely malty aroma - sweet with a hint of caramel. Countered with the slightest tinge of resiny hops.

T – Moderately bitter with a slightly burnt aftertaste – like a cup of Folgers. Not a terrible amount of character, but just enough to let you know you’re drinking something other than a macro lager.

M – Light, watery. Carbonation flutters on the tongue like a suffocating goldfish.

D – Highly drinkable, a good dark session beer akin to a dunkel weizen.

Serving type: growler

04-13-2007 02:26:41 | More by yourunclewalt

scarletfire79

New Hampshire

4.4/5  rDev +18.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

wow. pours deep deep brown. i'd dare to call it black. smells of sweet caramel, definitly sweet smelling. the taste is really well rounded with caramel notes, hints of coffee, slight fruit-like flavor. goes down real smooth. actually a lot more drinkable than i would have thought from the pour. refreshing. i could see myself having a few of these. love the mini growler. definitly makes it stand out on the shelf. would love to try this on tap.

Serving type: growler

11-06-2006 19:25:43 | More by scarletfire79

mortarit

North Carolina

3.45/5  rDev -7.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Intention: It was time to restock the mini fridge so I did a road trip down to the old favorite spot.

Bottle Spec. Growler 32 oz.

Date: Cellar Aged

Watering Hole: Peace Street Market

Head: Nice foamy Head, gradually dwindle into puffy cloud and faded away

Lace: Some lacing but weak in form

Color: Dark reddish-brown

Aroma: Barroom smell

Cost: $2.99

Taste bud: After having a cough drop, it was watery

Opinion: I thought it was a excellent beer for smoothness and session recurrence

Serving type: growler

09-30-2006 03:54:34 | More by mortarit

rarevos

New York

4.22/5  rDev +13.4%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a 32 oz growler into a pint glass.

A: Pours a dark, reddish-brown. Mostly brown, with red at the edges. Light tan head that dissipated quickly. Nothing remained but a solid ring around the inside of the glass and a little wispy island.

S: Rich and malty, with a touch of citric fruitiness and some light hop fragrance.

T: Light toffee at the front . Finish is lightly bitter with a sweet, floral tail (like rosewater). This is really, really smooth.

M: A bit slick. Not quite syrupy.

D: Yup. Saranac does have some pretty boring brews, but this isn't one of them. I love the mini-growler; it ran me $2.99 and yielded two pints. It's not hugely roasty, but it's not supposed to be, really. It's well-balanced, easy to drink, and has a very nice flavor.

Serving type: growler

09-19-2006 15:28:42 | More by rarevos

tugdriver7

Maryland

4.72/5  rDev +26.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Disclaimer: Schwarzbiers are a favorite and this one is easily the best of the US craft-brewed varieties. Deep black with red/brown highlights; moderate head retention, though it laces the glass nicely. A bit of malty lager in the nose, but the taste is a wonderful blend of crisp lager and dark coffee/carmel malts that is at both incredibly complex and yet delightfully refreshing. A real winner.

Serving type: growler

09-10-2006 21:38:25 | More by tugdriver7

Manosbeeroffate

Maine

3.33/5  rDev -10.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5

32oz. Growler for $3.20. Pours dark brown, tan head emerges then goes away quickly. Smells a bit like a macro lager. tastes a bit better, light burnt malt taste, slight bit of hops. Mouthfeel is oh so thin and watery. Overall, it's OK. The bottle looks cool and has been beckoning me to try it, so I now have.

It's a big so what....

Serving type: growler

07-17-2006 01:05:44 | More by Manosbeeroffate

MrSeth

Massachusetts

3.23/5  rDev -13.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Ap: Pours an almost opaque black, but with cola colored edges. A hearty tan head forms and settles, but a good amount of lace remains on the surface and around the edges.

Sm: Seems simple at first, hoppy with skunky edge. But there is more to the nose on closer inspection. Rich malt, fresh baked rye bread. Also milk chocolate, warm and inviting. A fine nose, indeed!

Ta/Mf: Full malt flavor, puckering and dry. The middle is a bit empty, though some of that chocolate is echoed. There is a tinny offness, not sure if that is just an issue with this particular serving. I want to like the taste of this beer, and honestly it's not bad at all. But it doesn't live up to what the nose promises. It turns out to be average. The carbonation is vigorous and the body is light but not wimpy. Powerful bitter aftertaste.

Da: Medium-Low. You're regular dark beer drinker would be happy with this offering.

Serving type: growler

05-13-2006 23:25:18 | More by MrSeth

TheManiacalOne

Rhode Island

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

Poured from a 32oz. growler into a pint glass.

A: The beer is a purplish, brownish black with a thin, off-white head that lingers and leaves a thick, even lace.

S: It has a very malty sweet smell with notes of dark fruit and roasted coffee along with a bit of alcohol. However, overall the smell is not very strong.

T: You taste the sweetness right away; however I expected more of an espresso/dark chocolate kind of flavor. Instead, I got more of a fruity flavor with a backdrop of dark chocolate, hops and malt.

M: Extremely smooth, but the carbonation is a bit on the high side, with a medium-to-high body. The finish is clean overall, but it leaves a slightly acidic after-taste and a bit of a sticky residue.

D: This beer is indeed drinkable, but more from a standpoint of I-can-drink-this-as-I-eat-a-ton-of-food-at-a-family-function rather than the standpoint of I-can-drink-this-beer-until-I-get-completely-trashed.

The first Schwarzbier that I ever tried was Sam Adams Black Lager, which I liked a lot. It made me very curious of what other beers in this style tasted like. So far, this has been the only other beer that I’ve been able to find in the style and although it’s a good beer, it pales in comparison.

Serving type: growler

05-07-2006 04:15:57 | More by TheManiacalOne

barknee

New York

3.33/5  rDev -10.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Wow! Actually after reviewing three other Saranac products, this brew actually has some aromatics to it (barely..) Medium-Dark coffee colored with a short lived off-white head; this brew has a nose of sweet slightly roasted malts with a touch of caramel. On the tongue the flavor is slightly acidic and lean, generally refreshing with a hint of sweetness and a slightly oily finish. This is a good grub-food kinda' beer, you know burgers and the like; anything with fat, as the slightly acidic nature of this brew will cut through it providing relative refreshment from this relatively decent beer. It won't irritate you nor will it impress you.

Serving type: growler

04-24-2006 00:06:38 | More by barknee

Litterbean

New York

3.8/5  rDev +2.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Pours amber dark brown and has a nice off-white head. Clear, not hazy.

Smells of malts and has several nutty characteristics.

Smooth taste, light in body despite it's dark and imposing character. Malty, with hints of caramel and hazelnut. Some vanilla characteristics as well. Light carbonation rounds it off, sweet aftertaste. A tiny bit of earthy hops in the back of the tongue.

Just less than astounding, this is a good beer to relax with. Not overly complicated or bold. Just a good ol' fashioned black lager.

Serving type: growler

12-21-2005 02:04:07 | More by Litterbean

FirstMan

Massachusetts

3.8/5  rDev +2.2%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Well, the serving type selection field above doesn't have a value of "jug", but that's sort of what this came in. It's called a "growler" on the bottle, but it's more of a bomber that got squashed. Screw on cap doesn't really do it for me either...

A fairly vigorous pour brought up a slight head of small white bubbles, but these fizzled out quickly and left just a haze across the top. Black color - yes this is a schwartzbier - with a mahogony ruby coloring when held to the light.

The nose is interesting. Sweet sweet sweet, with what I swear is grapes in there. There's a distinct wine-esque aspect. It's not bad, but just interesting... interesting...

Malty sweet grains are predominant on the palate. Slight fruitiness with - again - creeping way back there in the back, just a little essence of grapes. Bitterness of the hops creeps in later, but not overwhelmingly. It's actually a quite well-balanced. I'm liking this.

Mouthfeel is somewhat creamy, but with a lightness and carbination that keeps it from being mistaken for it's dark breathren.

Serving type: growler

11-14-2005 02:56:43 | More by FirstMan