Sam Adams Black Lager is a Schwarzbier or literally translated  ”black beer.” Now the best way to describe this beer is as a cross between a bock and a stout, and the color to match. Specifically for color I had a bit of a deja vous pouring this beer, because I had some Pepsi in a pint glass the night before (don’t ask) and this beer is the same color as a cola the most significant visual difference being the head which is much thicker.  Black Lager has a really nice chocolate/coffee flavor from the malts used and unlike a lot of other modern plays on older beer styles this is fairly lightly hopped.  The malty/dark beer of note tends to be Porter, which can get kinda sweet (depending on the brew).  Sam’s Black Lager on the other hand while being low on bitterness is not all that sweet and has a nice earthy bread like flavor to it.  It drinks pretty smooth and will for a lot of people, in part because it is not quite as dark as a normal stout, and it’s low bitterness gives it a smoothness usually reserved for lagers.  The best comparisons for this beer are probably stouts, if you like them but are looking for something a little less heavy, or if you like bocks and not too bitter nut ales this is probably right up your alley.  It’s got a whole lot of flavor, is not all that bitter and drinks nice and smooth.

Brewery: Boston Beer Company - Boston, MA

Malty —|———- Bitter

Light ————|- Dark

ABV: 4.9%

-Mike Fournier