Sample at the brewpub. This brew is a dark brown color with a medium thin beige head that diminishes steadily. Short strings of lacing on the glass. Roasty malt and spiced hops aroma. Medium body with the roasted malt characted of a Schwarzbier with an assertive hops presence. Touches of coffee as well. The finish is roasted coffee and hops with a lingering bitterness left behind. I like the sweetness of a good Scharzbier and evidently the "Imperialization" of this beer meant more hops. While an interesting result it doesn’t really deserve the Schwarz moniker, it’s something else entirely.

Draft sampler, at the Brew Kettle. More a porter color when in a little taster: brown highlights not found in other schwartzes. Verrry alcoholic. Kind of smoky, like a maple smoked ham. Ain’t no Sprecher, but intriguing nonetheless.