My latest article for The Bulletin came out last week, and in it I profiled the Schwarzbier style with the recent release with that name from Van Henion Brewing.

Van Henion Brewing Co.’s latest beer, Schwarzbier, released at the end of September, tightens the company’s focus on German-style lagers. It’s not a terribly common style to encounter in a market that favors IPAs and other hoppy ales, so I contacted the brewery to find out more.

“We knew we wanted to have a good fall/winter offering,” said founder and brewer Dana Henion via email. “Typically those styles tend to be on the maltier, boozier and darker side. Not typical characteristics of the styles we make. Because we are a lager-forward brewery, the Schwarzbier seemed like the perfect fit. It is a malt forward German-style lager that is dark in color, perfect for cold days.”

Henion provided me with cans of Schwarzbier to preview ahead of its release. It is 4.9% alcohol by volume with 23 IBUs.

I delve into the style’s background and of course, offer up my impressions on the beer.