The Story

A Schwarzbier is an old style native to Germany. Famous examples of this beer come from the regions of northern Bavaria and Thuringia around the 16th Century, though the earliest record of beer making is from the town of Kulmbach, in 1174.

Our Heritage

Schwarzbiers are typically medium to light bodied, with an ABV usually topping at 5%. This beer is usually garnet to black in color, with a clean fermentation (that’s the ‘crispness’ associated with a colder, longer ferment and storage), and a reserved hops bitterness.

In today’s American Black Lager style you might see an increase in hops character, a heavier roasted flavor, or perhaps an increase in alcohol by volume. That’s no surprise, as today’s beers allow for so much style variation.

 Photos by Bob Shimmon

NEW BEER -  CALI COMMON – JUST RELEASED DEC 15th, 2011

“Cali Common.  The very first historically recognized beer style
ofour Golden State; born not only of geography, but of necessity.
In the late 19th century, prospectors and immigrants flocked to
California for a taste of the Gold Rush, and with it, dreams of
wealth and of staking their claim in the wilderness.  With no
refrigeration to ferment their old world lager recipes at the
colder, cave temperatures in the mountains of southern Germany,
they used what they had: a pioneering spirit, combined with
determination and need.  In other words, like the rest of us
usually do, they did the best they could.

Our version, made with the same process, is a medium-light
bodied beer with hints of caramel, toffee, and toast. Traditional
German hops with herbal, spicy aroma and flavor presents an easy
bitterness that gives way to the slight sweetness of munich malt,
revealing a balanced, easy-going, and very drinkable beer. We think
you’ll enjoy this accessible descendant of the original california
common, formed out of the needs for the people, in a time of discovery,
independence, and courage.”