Chuckanut Brewery’s Schwarz Lager is now on tap at bars and restaurants around Puget Sound and Oregon. This black lager has lots of roasted coffee-like flavors on a medium body that finishes smooth and crisp. There’s a lingering espresso-like after taste as well that leaves the drinker rewarded and curious for another sip. Schwarz is like a bitter chocolate compared to Dunkel Lager which is more like a milk chocolate. At one time all beers were dark due to the malts that were used but few were truly black. Schwarz is similar to a Stout in color but as a black lager it is aged at colder temperatures for more than 5 weeks helping to give it a round, clean finish.
This is a great beer for grilled steaks, especially if you get a nice char on the exterior, and the same goes for burgers. Its bitter chocolate flavors will make Schwarz Lager a nice partner with Mexican mole sauces, which are complex rather than sweet. Schwarz is terrific with Cajun blackened chicken and pork chops and can handle Jambalaya, black eyed peas, dirty rice, okra and paella. Sausages are an easy choice for pairing especially when grilled and don’t forget how well dark breads work with Schwarz Lager.
Chuckanut has not brewed its GABF medal winning Schwarz in a couple of years so get to your favorite drinking spot or restaurant to give it a try, it’s a small batch beer and won’t last long. Available on draught in the Puget Sound area and Oregon or at one of the fun summer beer festivals in the Seattle and Portland areas. And don’t forget to visit the Tap Room in Skagit Valley and P. Nut Beer Hall in Portland, they might still have a few cans in their grab and go coolers!
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