United Nations of Beer

Garrison Black lager

by Stacey Langille
(Nova Scotia)

Great Beer Shirts!

The first time I bellied up to a bottle of Garrison Black lager, I was a bit intimidated.

Its bottle looks like you should belong to some kind of special club to even know this beer exists. The black and gold label and the fact that they dip the top in wax makes one believe this is a special beer.

It is a German style Imperial Schwarzbier with hints of sweet chocolate, dark caramel and smoky roasted malts. At 8.3% ABV it packs a punch and certainly establishes itself as a king in a world of dark beers. If not the king, at least a solid member of the court as it rolls over your tongue and down the hatch making you stop and think a good dark beer should really be considered its own food group.

For those who are not familiar with black beer it is of German origin and has an opaque, black color and a full, chocolaty or coffee flavor.

Schwarzbiers are bottom-fermented beers and the alcohol content usually ranges from 4.8%–5% ABV, which shows how this baby is already one up on most of the crowd. Dark malts are used in brewing achieved through a longer roasting process.

The Schwarzbier can trace its roots back to the Middle Ages and is always supposed to have a medium-bodied, malt-accented taste with a chewy texture and a firm, creamy, long-lasting head.

Garrison Black Lager does live up to this history and the 8.3% ABV gives it that little extra we all need sometimes.

After first pouring this one in a beer glass you could be tempted to into thinking it will be just like any old British Dark Ale but its taste is much cleaner and is an almost bittersweet experience.

This is not a brew I would recommend drinking in copious amounts but as more of an extra special treat, a journey into taste. It is a little pricey at $7 per bottle, but it is a 500ml and don’t forget the 8.3%.

If you are a dark beer connoisseur or have dabbled with them from time to time this beer is absolutely worth the price of admission. Put away the old and get with the bold taste of this exceptional brew. Garrison scores again!! Cheers!