Having difficulty finding beers this week, I’ll be contrasting two Dark European Lager styles. Living in Pittsboro is great, but still rather limited to finding some styles. So the two styles are Czech Dark Lager and Schwartzbier (Dark German Lager). The Schwartzbier is better known of the two BCJP offers “A dark German lager that balances roasted yet smooth malt flavors with moderate hop bitterness.” A light to medium body beer but basically a Stout made with lager yeast. As for the Tmave Pivo (Czech Dark Lager) BJCP describes it as “A rich, dark, malty Czech lager with a roast character that can vary from almost absent to quite prominent.” In my experience the roast character is far less in this beer than the Schwartzbier. The better examples I find a rich malt character with a hint of chocolate. The ABVs are in the similar range 4.5-5.5%. Often the body is stronger in the Czech beer, but never heavy. Normally I believe in simplicity in beer, trying not to use say more than four or five malts, but in these beers use a combination of six or seven to present the proper malt backbone for the beers.

Hopfly Brewing, Prague Nights, 4.9% abv

Light tan foam with a rich dark body that swallowed the light. As it warmed chocolate, the roasty aroma was apparent. For flavor it was a chocolate followed by a sweetness and a dry finish.

Burial Beer Co, DARK Bohemian Lager, 4.9% abv

Black color with light off-white foam, with a low initial aroma. Malt flavor is rather one note, it lacks the complexity the style dictates. It’s a clean beer with a bit of roast, but I wouldn’t categorize it as a proper Czech Dark Lager.

Haw River Farmhouse Ales, The Scribbler’s Son Bavarian Black Lager, 4.9% abv

Strong herbal note in aroma, black beer with rich black foam. Steady roast character with a moderate sweetness. Alewif(aka Wife) preferred beer of the tasting.