Black Cat Lager
Style: Schwarzbier
ABV: 6.1%
Presentation: 6 packs of 341 ml brown bottles
Brewery: Paddock Wood Brewing
Country: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
KANPAI! w/ Jeff Werstiuk
This is the first beer that the Paddock Wood Brewery released in 6 packs of bottles. As the first microbrewery in Saskatchewan, what started out as a home-based mail-order home brew supply company is now an award-winning brewery that’s grown successful enough to reach the status of a private corporation, headed by founder Steve Cavan. Not bad at all for a passionate homebrewer and part time university professor.
Now this Black Cat Lager may be a bit of an anomaly to some. A dark lager? A black pilsner no less? You bet! In fact there are several styles of dark lager out there, a schwarzbier being merely one of them. In fact schwarzbier basically translates as “black beer” from German, and at times tends to be an umbrella term for light bodied dark beers with a noticeable hop presence. They tend to be dark yet fairly translucent in colour, featuring roasted malt that at times lends a chocolate wafer presence, with a decent balancing zip of hops. That’s just a general starting point for the sake of reference, as most brewmasters enjoy accentuating certain characteristics in order to add a personal signature to their particular interpretation of a style.
Ideally this black lager is served in a tall fluted pilsner or weizen glass, a Collins glass or similar tall narrow glass will work too. In the case of Black Cat, because of its unique flavour and characteristics, a serving temperature anywhere from chilled to near room temperature will suit it fine, both ends of that spectrum will tend to accentuate different particular aspects. Once poured into the glass expect to encounter a dark ruddy brown, not quite opaque appearance, and it will give off a translucent garnet cola-like hue when held to direct light. Crowning it will be a creamy light beige head which doesn’t tend to linger long. Now the aroma that follows will possess rich notes of both toasted and roasted malts, you might even pick up some smoky notes, but will definitely notice a bit of dark chocolate and an undeniable presence of coffee. There are pockets of an unexplainable milky sweetness too. In the delivery of the texture in the mouth Black Cat has a light yet smooth and creamy mouthfeel, with a fairly crisp and dry finish. This really lends itself to the flavour, which lives up to what is promised on the nose. Some roasted burnt malt and coffee at first, toasted cocoa follows, with a light dose of herbal hops on the finish, while the coffee and cocoa taste lingers on with it in the aftertaste, more sweet than bitter. After a while it gives off the impression of mocha with just a touch of hops.
As far as food pairings are concerned what first comes to mind are German dishes to match with this German styled beer, especially ones involving spiced sausages or cured meats which will be accentuated by the dark roasted malts. A nicely grilled steak or pork chop would do well, and it’s even robust enough to hold its own with lamb. As far as comfort food is concerned it may not be the best accompaniment for pizza, but might easily become your new best friend with your next burger, or something more complex like jambalaya and other hearty, rather spicy dishes. Lastly, as some of you out there have already deduced on your own, this Black Cat lager tends to come across as a beer version of an iced mocha. Although probably far cheaper than what you’d pay for one at your favourite coffee outlet, and easily less than half the calories.
The next steps in the cooler:
From This Brewery:
606 IPA
Bête Noire
Czech Mate
Double Double
Ete Belgian Saison
London Porter
Other Dark Lagers:
Lobkowicz Baron
Warsteiner Premium Dunkel
Ayinger Altbairisch Dunkel
Lateral Steps:
Rogue Dead Guy
Newcastle Brown
Mt. Begbie Tall Timber Ale
For The Adventurous:
Rogue Mocha Porter
Mill Street Coffee Porter
Samichlaus