Saranac Black Forest - Matt Brewing Company

    Saranac Black Forest is a German style Schwarzbier (or Black Beer) brewed by the Matt Brewing Company in Utica, New York. This beer was brought back from New York for me by Emily Hohman.

    The Schwarzbier pours the color of molasses, with little to no light making its way through the liquid. A small khaki head forms at pouring, but quickly dissipates.

    Saranac Black Forest smells surprisingly subtle for how dark the beer is. Light roasted malt and dark fruit scents make up the majority of the beer's aroma. A slight bit of citrus acidity can be noted, hinting at light hopping.

     The Black Beer is light to medium bodied with a moderate level of carbonation. The beer takes on an almost watery feel as you swallow it, washing away most of the flavor. Black Forest has an alcohol content of 5.5% ABV.

    Matt Brewing Company's Schwarzbier has a light flavor, just as the aroma was subtle. Sweet chocolate and caramel malts make up the majority of the beer's flavor. There is only a slight hint of roasted malt flavor in the beer. A slight bitterness from hops briefly shows itself, only to fade quickly. The dark fruits from the scent are also present in the flavor, keeping the beer more on the sweet, than bitter side.

Black Bears enjoy Black Beers in the Black Forest.

     I don't know if you make it to Germany's Black Forest often, but it is a common experience whilst in those mysterious woods to come across a bear enjoying a beer. Most Commonly these bears just look up from their drink and nod at passersby, too relaxed to attack. Unfortunately, a few rowdy creatures just want to fight after imbibing a little Black Beer. It is German legend that if one is mighty enough to defeat these trouble-causers in hand-to-hand combat, that he or she has the right to take this bear's beer and enjoy it themselves. Not only are the Black Bears' Black Beers delicious, but it also is said to have mystical properties, such as giving the drinker the ability to spin the wildest tales in a most convincing manner. If ever you find yourself in a German biergarten around the Black Forest, you may just hear an elderly man weaving such a tale himself!

    Saranac Black Forest's light flavor profile and easy drinkability reminds me more of a Black Lager than more robust, roasted malt brews such as a Porter or Stout. The fact that the Schwarzbier has the roasted malt characteristics, but is not overpowering with them, makes for a great intro to the more intense styles of beer. This beer would be a great transition between Lagers and Porters or light Stouts for someone interested in broadening his or her beer knowledge. While I'm completely fine with the flavors being light in this beer, I'm really turned off by the way that the beer seems to become watery in the middle of the taste, washing away nearly all flavor the beer had up front. I, for one, will stick to the stronger flavors for now.

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