Black Lager?

[Woodsheal]

Guinness has a new product called "Black Lager." Has anyone tried it yet? Is it worth seeking out?

[Standard]

Guinness has a new product called "Black Lager." Has anyone tried it yet? Is it worth seeking out?

Yes.

Definately NO! If Guinness would have had the guts to call it Guinness Light then you would have an idea of what you were going to receive in your glass. This is definately a lawnmower beer.

[LitTrog]

Worth trying if it's free.

Barely.

I am a big fan of Guinness, and this is the substance which proverbially hits fans. I am being a little harsh, but I was excited to see how it turned out, and disappointed at the result. Still, it's much better than mass-produced American rice beers.

[Joshua]

Compared to the classic Black Lagers of the world (Optimator, Celebrator, Samiclaus), this one would be best left to keep around the house.

If your water gets turned off, you can use it to fill your toilet tank to flush with...

[J_Mimbs]

If your water gets turned off, you can use it to fill your toilet tank to flush with...

Sounds like most of the "beer" sold in America.

[New World Czech]

I'm glad you asked the question, now I will not waste my time.

[macwilkin]

Compared to the classic Black Lagers of the world (Optimator, Celebrator, Samiclaus), this one would be best left to keep around the house.

If your water gets turned off, you can use it to fill your toilet tank to flush with...

Opitmator is a Dopplebock, which is a form of a lager. I haven't had this kind, but I wonder how close it is to a Schwarzbier, or "Black Beer"?

T.

[Joshua]

Sounds like most of the "beer" sold in America.

I must respectfully disagree with the statement and general consensus that American beer is bad. Although you did say most of the beer "sold" in America... We have some of the greatest microbrews in the world, that never would have existed without the mass produced swill.

[brewerpaul]

Opitmator is a Dopplebock, which is a form of a lager. I haven't had this kind, but I wonder how close it is to a Schwarzbier, or "Black Beer"?

T.

This is quite true, if has a name with and ending "ator" on the end it is usually a DoppeBock. Kostritzer Schwarzbier is one of the best representations of a Schwazrbier around. Brewed originally in East block Germany it is now part of the Unified Germany. Ive had a couple of six packs of the stuff and it is rich, roasty and delicious. It has a different roast flavor than a stout due to the lager yeast as opposed to the ale yeast. Ive seen the Guinness Black Lager on the shelf and that is so far where it has remained. Xingu bier from Brazil is another very tasty black beer that Im pretty sure employs a lager yeast. It isnt easy to find but is a wonderful dark beer to drink. Though not as full flavored yet a nice black bier is Fat Tire's 1554. With fall in the air a nice strong dopplebock, a good rich porter, a nice dry stout or if you can find it a Schwarzbier. When I brewed at a pub I made a few batches of Schwarzbier that people really enjoyed.

http://www.germanbeerinstitute.com/Schwarzbier.html

Prost \_/

[CDNSushi]

Not having tried it, I really can't comment on the taste, but by the comments here it seems to be that people may be measuring it with the wrong yardstick... If it's a "lager" then don't expect it to taste like an ale, and certainly don't compare it to Guinness (even though it may be made by them) -- that's a completely different class of product. That would be akin to comparing a glass of Chilean Merlot wine to... a mug o' hot chocolate.

The brewing method for ales and lagers is somewhat different and results in different products as well. Having said that, I would be quite curious to see what this "black lager" tastes like, if I can get it in Japan...