Rounding out my series from the Buckbean Brewing Company is their Schwarzbier-style beer, Black Noddy Lager. At 5.2% ABV this low-alcohol brew has a sessionable ABV but perhaps what holds this back from being a true session beer is the style and flavors.

Poured into a pint glass, it has an amazing display; rich and midnight black with a really nice tan head. The retention wasn’t the best and the lacing was weak, but not completely absent. Some charred brown hues with some reddish undertones completed the display.

The smell was frothy and bland at first, but as the head dissipated, the flavors became more apparent. Normally, the head enhances the smell for me, but on this it was quite the opposite, masking the majority of them. Roasted malt, black pepper, caramelized sugar cane and some bittering hops rounded out the nose. The balance was nice but somewhat undertoned overall.

Taking a sip of this gives you a medium-bodied mouthful that uses the carbonation to balance out some of the flavors. Immediately it’s roasted coffee, caramel malt which is (thankfully) balanced by the carbonation bubbles and hops. Although, the mouthful is surprisingly smooth. The hops stick around for a bit of a linger but it’s very light and not sticky at all. There must be some of the sweet malt too because while bitter, the finish leaves your tongue with a hint of sweet fig.

Of all the Buckbean brews, this isn’t my favorite (see Orange Blossom), but it’s not a bad one. The style isn’t completely my favorite, but I’d definitely like to try more of this style to see how it compares. In fact, to my recollection, I can’t recall any other Schwarzbier’s I’ve had, so I can’t compare the style as a whole. Is it worth a shot? Definitely. That is, if you’re a craft beer lover, like myself.

Overall: 7.6/10