There is a real steampunk hipster on the label of the new Hop Secret Dark Lager, Speakeasy. But whatever your opinion of either is, make sure you jump on board the dark lager train for sure.
Hat On
Gnome and Wizards and Cheese
Highland Park Brewery has an on again, off again dark lager with the funny name of Bortz, that they now refer to as a “Dark Gnome Wizard Lager” described as “a beautiful dark mahogany appearance & roasty aromas of dark chocolate, bread crust, while remaining extra refreshing & crisp.”
Now Indianal’s Tulip Tree Creamery, is using Bortz in their latest For their Hops cheese series where they collaborate with different breweries. The Bortz cheese is a semi-soft double-cream cheese infused with Bortz.
A Ghoulish Dispatch
I took a pass on the last released One Batch Dispatch from Stone Brewing but a future one has me interested…
I think that the combination of maple and oak could really work especially on a lighter canvas like the base lager.
Review – Two from Enegren Brewing
Let’s double up on Germanic beer with two from sorta/kinda local, Enegren Brewing.
American Reinheitsgebot 2022 Dark Lager – Brewed in collaboration with the much loved Moonlight Brewing Co. (which recently got a new part owner in Patrick Rue of Erosion Wines) this lager is rich and luxurious with a tiny touch of chocolate. Leaves pretty espresso rings of lacing on the glass. There is a slight bitterness here underneath but overall this is a simple dark lager, no fussiness at all.
Maibock – need to get this review in before June starts. This spring lager pours a lovely clear orange color. Sweet malt aroma on the nose. Honey is the dominant note here, Silky smooth texture. The ABV strength is there. Strangely, this reminds me of Bell’s Double Two Hearted a bit minus the hop kick.
Moonlight Over Enegren
“April 23rd, 2022 is the 506th Anniversary of the Reinheitsgebot and just so happens to be the same day as Frühlingsfest where we will be releasing this year’s American Reinheitsgebot American Dark Lager”
Enegren has joined with much lauded Moonlight Brewing of Santa Rosa for this new Czech Style dark lager that uses Zuper Saazer hops from HopHead Farms and the grain is from Admiral Maltings.
SchwarzMas
Arts District Brewing is starting a new holiday tradition with their first-annual Schwarz-Mas Time Schwarz-Off!
Here are the details and the participating breweries – “Schwarzbiers will be tapped when we open at noon and available all day, all pints for $8 or half pours for $5. Work your way through and vote for the people’s choice! Come support these denizens of the dark:”
All Season Brewing
Angel City Brewing
Boomtown Brewery
Cervecería Del Pueblo
Eagle Rock Brewery
Enegren Brewing Company
Figueroa Mountain Brewing Company
Firestone Walker Propagator
Highland Park Brewery
Mumford Brewing
Ogopogo Brewing
Party Beer Co.
THERE DOES NOT EXIST
Three Weavers Brewing Company
Also, “judges will be evaluating and crowning the most Schwarziest Schwarzbier our winner.”
Real Smooth
Jameson Irish Whiskey has collaborated with breweries across the U.S. for their Caskmates program. We here in L.A. have only been able to taste the Angel City beer that was aged in those magical Irish barrels.
Now we might see another (since we get a fair share of Great Divide beers here in LA)
World Cup + World Beer – Denmark
TODAY: DENMARK V. CAMEROON
I am going to go for a dark lager from Denmark’s mega brewer, Carlsberg. But this is from their premium line of Jacobsen beers. Here is the details on the dunkel: Original Dark Lager is brewed according to J.C. Jacobsen’s original recipe. The colour is chestnut. It has a Hersbrucker hop aroma while the floor malted Munich malt adds a caramel character.
BJCP Style – Dark Lager
Aroma: Little to no malt aroma. Medium-low to no roast and caramel malt aroma. Hop aroma may range from none to light spicy or floral hop presence. Hop aroma may range from none to light, spicy or floral hop presence. Can have low levels of yeast character (green apples, DMS, or fruitiness). No diacetyl.
Appearance: Deep amber to dark brown with bright clarity and ruby highlights. Foam stand may not be long lasting, and is usually light tan in color.
Flavor: Moderately crisp with some low to moderate levels of sweetness. Medium-low to no caramel and/or roasted malt flavors (and may include hints of coffee, molasses or cocoa). Hop flavor ranges from none to low levels. Hop bitterness at low to medium levels. No diacetyl. May have a very light fruitiness. Burnt or moderately strong roasted malt flavors are a defect.
Mouthfeel: Light to somewhat medium body. Smooth, although a highly-carbonated beer.
Overall Impression: A somewhat sweeter version of standard/premium lager with a little more body and flavor.
Commercial Examples: Dixie Blackened Voodoo, Shiner Bock, San Miguel Dark, Beck’s Dark, Saint Pauli Girl Dark, Warsteiner Dunkel, Crystal Diplomat Dark Beer