Sam Adams Black Lager

[bigtoys]

Another winner from Sam Adams. We saw this in the cooler at Sam's and since we tend to like their beers decided to take a chance. We opened one with our pizza dinner and really liked it.This is a "schwarzbier", a German style literally translated to "black beer". It's lightly hopped and very dark. Different from the also very dark Porter and Stout, which are both heavily hopped. Reminds me a little of Heineken Dark.Again, overall, we're big fans of Sam Adams, including the Light. About the only ones we're not crazy about are the ones with some fruit flavor.

[mythrenegade]

I tried another brand of "black lager" and found it too sweet for me, with a lot of chocolate notes. My wife likes it though...

Joel

[jeff]

I don't think a true schwarzbier should ever taste "sweet." Try a Kostritzer for a classic example of the style.

[HipFlask]

Plus One for Kostritzer Schwarzbier. Jeff is correct it shouldn't be sweet or chocolaty, just a smooth flavorful beer.

[bigtoys]

I'll have to look for Kostritzer for comparison. I think a hint of chocolate is ok, however.

[Sijan]

I too like Sam Adams Black Lager and other scharwzbier. I think some notes of dark, unsweetened chocolate are ok in a schwarzbier - it's from the darkly roasted malt. It should not be sweet like some (usually milk/cream) stouts or porters, however.

Goethe supposedly was a fan of Kostritzer Schwarzbier.

Heineken Dark is more of a dunkel (aka Munich Dunkel Lager); although I am not a big fan of Heineken Dark specifically, dunkels are one of my favorite beer styles. They are darker than many lagers, but generally not as dark as schwarzbier. My everyday beer is Hofbräu Dunkel. I also like Harpoon Munich Dark quite a bit, particularly from a growler filled at the brewery.

[spun_cookie]

Thisw is not new this year is it... I am pretty sure I have had this on teh SA parade of beer... then again each day my mind begins to fade....

[Sijan]

No, it has been out for several years.

[doubleblank]

Here in Texas, Shiner inroduced a Black Lager this year. On tap, I tried to figure out the slightly sweet taste I was getting even though it had a dry finish. After 1 pint, the best I could call it was like a slightly burnt caramel....rich without being creamy sweet. Not many places carry it on tap, but worth a try if you see it.

Randy

[NickAtMartinis]

Another winner from Sam Adams. We saw this in the cooler at Sam's and since we tend to like their beers decided to take a chance. We opened one with our pizza dinner and really liked it.This is a "schwarzbier", a German style literally translated to "black beer". It's lightly hopped and very dark. Different from the also very dark Porter and Stout, which are both heavily hopped. Reminds me a little of Heineken Dark.Again, overall, we're big fans of Sam Adams, including the Light. About the only ones we're not crazy about are the ones with some fruit flavor.

Hey BT,

I've found that most beer Sam Adams makes I do not like. The Lager is by far the best. Heck, it the original from Koch's Great Grandfather or something like that. Most of the other beers a plain and ordinary. Though, I do like the Cream Stout, Holiday Porter and Old Feziwigh (sp?). The latter two, however, only come in mix 12-packs.

The Lager is one of my favorite beers, though. I just think sometimes the Boston Beer Co. gets caught up in putting out tons of beer. The Brown Ale, for example, is brown and it's an Ale but it has absolutely no flavor. the Light I find interesting. A ton of flavors comes at you and then it's gone for good. It's liking cracking open a nut to find nothing inside.

Not knocking your tastes or Sam Adams, but I just think they get caught up in guantity sometimes.

Mark

[Luna56]

I'm with ya, Mark, I love the Boston Lager but the others don't really float my boat. I'm game to give them another try sometime, but the lager is the best thing they make by far, to my taste. Nice hops but not too bitter. Beers with fruity flavors are a little too "mochaccino" for my taste, but Sam's Summer Ale is okay.

Boston Lager is a fantastic all around beer, just great with almost any kind of food (for Indian food a Kingfisher is great, but hard to find here, so Corona is a good standby).

Cheers!

[mythrenegade]

When I say sweet...

I consider Crown Royal to taste sweet. I realized yesterday that what I call sweet is not what other people consider sweet. My friend, in reference to the crown royal comment, said "oh, like southern comfort!" to which I nearly gagged :-)

So when I say sweet, I don't know how you would describe it. Compared to the big, bold, hoppy concoctions I usually drink, it was light, sweet and chocolaty. But none of you would likely describe it that way :-)

Joel

[Sijan]

I recall not liking their Brown Ale too much either. Their normal Boston Lager is pretty good and I like their Black Lager.