Silky amber-paled, medium-bodied “dunkel” (dark) lager retains moderate caramel creaminess and gentle barley-roasted candi-sugared malt sweetness, but hindered fruit blandness, stifled earthiness, and faint smokiness lost in midst.

Hefty 9% alcohol strong lager placates sweet barley-roasted caramel malting with sullen citric-herbal wisp. Yet despite undeniable strength, bronze-hazed Pol needs more pronounced lemon-peppered finish and better all around distinction. Miserly green apple tartness and slick yeast musk don’t help matters.

Wait a second, this one’s brewed in Canada but given German recognition. Anyhow, unlike offensively sour Miller version forced on Americans since ’77, this dry premium has soda-like fizz and lasting consistency brought on by bitterer chocolate malts plus cocoa-seeded black licorice overhaul.

Second largest Budweis brewery in Czech Republic (formerly Burgerbrau) sure has a winner with this emphatic lager. Smoked wood dryness deepens fig-plum tagline above subtle hop-roasted caramel-malted graining and walnut-chestnut illusions as crisp water lightens brisk flow.

Dry roasted coffee entry anticipates heightened stout-like expectations for brewery’s staple, but lack of assertive black chocolate roast and nasty cocoa-soured earthen musk lessen resolve by semi-flat finish. Needs better mocha assertion and sturdier nut-shelled dried fruiting for distinction. A tentative cola-hued schwarzbier.

Brewed by Stoney Creek Brewery since ’04, this tepid caramelized German-styled lager lacks intensity from its bronzed mahogany body to its swirled tan-head. Dull hops, carbolic acidity, and displaced plum astringency ravage roasted barley spine, though herbal spicing and cola nut twinge save pithy dry-grained finish.

Pungent hop-grain confluence politely embitters single malt Scotch flow. Cardboard-edged wood tones half-sweetened by cane sugaring to thick black molasses finish.

Despite deep purple haze, dark German retains light nutty grain sear and ashen malt dryness (with no bitterness, no frills, and barely a hint of dried fruited sweetness). Subdued malt-hop interaction soft enough for rookies to enjoy alongside more sophisticated tastes.

Clumsy unfiltered coppery amber lager mired by bread-y cardboard pall, oxidized cider stead, and off-putting herbal respite. Green grassy hops and skunked malts doubly drub disinterested dribble.

Tawny fizzy-hopped medium body lets chocolate-y malt aridity and creamy caramel subtlety deluge silky yeast sweetness as lingering Brussels lace coats the mug. Distant dry rye wheat clip turns earthy by mocha finish.

Well-balanced maroon-highlighted medium body with high concentration of yeast sediment blends sugarplum sweetness and sour candy tartness to dry raisin finish. Cracked wheat backbone strengthens underlying mocha resolve.

Tawny burgundy-hued medium body retains dry roasted barleymalt frame for sweet chocolate variance and reluctant fruit swerve enhancing toasted hop shroud.