FuzzyBrew

Brewery: Spoetzl Brewery

Location: Shiner, Texas

Style: Schwarzbier

ABV: 4.9%

IBU: 18

FuzzyBrew Rating: 3.5 of 5

I’d seen Shiner Bohemian Black Lager on the shelves of Memphis-area grocery stores for awhile now, but never had a chance to pick up a six-pack. When the beer took the gold medal in the German-Style Schwarzbier category in October at the Great American Beer Festival, I knew it was time to try it.

Originally brewed as a limited edition beer to commemorate Spoetzl Brewery’s 97th anniversary, it became a permanent part of Spoetzl’s brand portfolio in 2007.

“Crafted according to exacting old-world standards with imported Czech Saaz, Styrians Hops and selected roasted malts, it’s the darkest beer Shiner brews,” according to the brewery.

So how is it?

The beer pours a dark brown — nearly black — and has a nice, mild coffee-like aroma of roasted malts. Any hop aroma is minimal. The flavor is mild as well — malty with a clean finish, making it a pretty easy-drinking beer.

For those new to craft beers or dark beers, it’s definitely a good starter beer. And it’s got just enough malts to satisfy drinkers with more sophisticated palates.

Brewery: 3 Floyds

Location: Munster, In

Style: Imperial India Pale Ale

ABV: 9.5%

IBU: 99

This standout Imperial IPA from 3 Floyds has a solid caramel flavor that balances out the massive citrus hops. Very smooth and somewhat creamy, I could drink this all day, if I took it slow.

This is a wonderful beer that homebrewers can aspire to.

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Brewery: Atlantic Brewing Company

Location: Bar Harbor, Maine

Style: American Porter

ABV: 6.5%

IBU: n/a

FuzzyBrew Rating: 5 of 5

With a name like Coal Porter, I somewhat expected to sip a smoked porter after I cracked open this beer.

But this craft brew, made with pale, crystal, Munich, chocolate and black malts, is a good ol’ hearty and rich American Porter; the “Coal” a reference to its dark brown – almost black – color.

This beer ages in cellars for close to six months before it’s released, and the result is a highly drinkable porter.

The brewers use Target and Willamette hops, which produce only a subtle hop flavor. What really shines are the roasted and chocolate malt notes that linger with a slight bitterness at the end.

Brewery: Weeping Radish

Location: Grandy, N.C.

Style: Schwarzbier (Black Beer)

ABV: 4.6%

IBU: n/a

FuzzyBrew Rating: 4 of 5

Founded in 1986 by Uli Bennewitz, Weeping Radish specializes in German beers and is North Carolina’s oldest microbrewery.

The brewery sits on 24 acres that form the Weeping Radish Farm Brewery complex, which also includes a butchery & pub and a 14-acre farm that produces vegetables, eggs and herbs.

My parents visited the brewery this summer on a trip to the Outer Banks. They brought home a 22-oz. bottle of the Black Radish, one of Weeping Radish’s flagship brews.

It’s a very drinkable medium-bodied, dark German lager beer in the same style as the Samuel Adams Black Lager.

The chestnut brown beer has a moderate malty aroma and flavors of roasted malts, sweet chocolate and toffee. It pours a nice tan head and has a creamy mouthfeel. Nicely brewed to style.