Twelve Saranac Beers of Xmas #3 - Into the Woods...Black Forest
Written: Dec 16 '03 (Updated Jan 03 '04)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Good tasting beer with mild character
Cons: Seems closer to a mild stout than a schwartzbier to me
The Bottom Line: Saranac Black Forest offers a schwartzbier that comes off more like a lighter version of stout, but with good character and taste.
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| martytdx's Full Review: Saranac Black Forest |
"On the third day of Christmas, my true love offered me, a dark beer from Bavaria, Germany."
• about SARANAC •
Saranac beers are brewed by the Matt Brewing Company, a brewery located in the foothills of the Adirondack Mountains in Central New York. Over a century old, the brewery is currently being run by the third and fourth generations of the Matt Family (Nick and Fred, respectively). Today, the company brews a number of different beers (27 different beers in the recent past, including seasonals and limited editions), as well as 5 different soft drinks.
• about BLACK FOREST •
I didn't recognize that the Saranac Black Forest was a Bavarian Black Beer until I visited the site to find out more (you'll have to forgive me - I'm still learning, albeit eagerly). Now that I knew that it is essentially a Schwartzbier, was more interested (although I wish I could find a Kostritzer anywhere near me...)
Brewed with caramel and two row malts and German Hallertauer and Mt. Hood hops, this is Saranac's tribute to the Duke of Baden's Brewery where F.X. Matt first learned the trade. A Bavarian Black Beer style, it has an average 5.2%ABV - nice enough to give it a kick but not enough to influence the taste that I could tell.
Whether called Black Beer or Schwartzbier, the style is a very dark lager which actually has a medium body. Similar to a bock, schwartzbiers tend to be a bit more malty and drier than a similar bock, as well as having less bitterness.
As I went to enjoy this beer, I was unsure which glass to pour this into, so I decided on a pint - it turned out to be a good choice. The beer poured to dark chocolate color with a small, tan head (note: I'm somewhat disappointed in this compared to other input I've seen). It starts with a bitter nose, which carried over into my first taste - surprisingly bitter for the style. However, once I got over that, I found the taste to be fairly strong, nearly a stout but a tad sweeter.
The roasted and caramel tones of the malts did come through more as the beer sat a bit, sweetening it slightly, but this was still a more bitter schwartzbier than I've had in the past. But I was impressed with Saranac's example overall.
• final THOUGHTS •
While it isn't what I was used to in a schwartzbier, it was a good beer to drink. I thought of it more like a cross between a schwartzbier and a stout, and enjoyed it as such. Of the three beers I've had so far, this is by far the most enjoyable.
• random BEER FACT •
Beck's in not only Germany's top export beer, it also accounts for 85% of all German beer exports to the United States.
For More Information
www.http://www.saranac.com/
• related SARANAC REVIEWS •
1st Day of Xmas - Saranac Pale Ale
2nd Day of Xmas - Saranac Stout
4th Day of Xmas - Saranac Caramel Porter
5th Day of Xmas - Saranac Belgian White
6th Day of Xmas - Saranac Black and Tan
7th Day of Xmas - Saranac Adirondack Amber
8th Day of Xmas - Saranac Indian Pale Ale
9th Day of Xmas - Saranac Golden Pilsener
10th Day of Xmas - Saranac Traditional Lager
11th Day of Xmas - Saranac Single Malt
12th Day of Xmas - Saranac Season's Best
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
martytdx
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Member: Marty
Location: New Jersey
Reviews written: 481
Trusted by: 179 members
About Me:
Doing what I can to try new places, restaurants, books and beers.
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