Herold Black Lager (Cerny Lezák 13%)

Aroma: 10 | Appearance: 9 | Mouthfeel: 8 | Flavor: 10 | Overall: 9

This was bought at my local offy as a trial, as they had it in, on an "out of date" special deal. I have since cleared their shelves. It's like eating a dark chocolate Mars Bar. Stunning first gulp, and pleasant aroma all the way down to the bottom of the glass. It does stain light carpets if the cat knocks the bottle over though. Such a gentle surprise in a bottle. Stealth beer personified. Wonderful stuff.

Aroma: 7 | Appearance: 6 | Mouthfeel: 8 | Flavor: 8 | Overall: 8

A great beer on tap. Pours very dark brown with hints of crimson when held to light. Quite malty, fantastic flavor, one of the best schwarzbier’s I have had. Goes great with a burger. I liked this one a lot.

Aroma: 9 | Appearance: 8 | Mouthfeel: 10 | Flavor: 9 | Overall: 9

Bottled. Very dark brown, close to black colour, mediumsized brown head. Roasted malts and coffee in aroma with caramel coming in a bit weaker. Strong roasted malts and espresso coffee in flavour. Hops comes in aftertaste, along with roast. Extremely wellbalanced and excellent mouthfeel. I think I just got myself a new favourite Czech beer!

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 7 | Mouthfeel: 7 | Flavor: 8 | Overall: 8

Wow, this beer looks nice. The aroma is creamy and sweet, full of maltiness as well as some nice vanilla, chocalate, and coffee with maybe some oaked whiskey overtones. The appearance is a midnight black with some light that does penetrate showing up some very deep and dark red to amber colors with a nice head on top that is full and a light-tan in color and diminishes to a creamy and light-brown lacing that sticks to the glass. The mouthfeel is smooth with very nice roasted malt complexity balanced, for the most part, well with a palate that is oily to some extent as well as creamy. The flavor is creamy and of roasted and chocolate malt with maybe some very light tobacco and whiskey characteristics with an aftertaste that is oaky and woody with a finish that is smokey and light with some dryness but is wetter than expected. Overall, very nice brew here for sure and is very enjoyable, smooth, and creamy and reminds me of a fresh cup of coffee in the morning; very nice creation from Herold and the best product from them I have had yet.

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 7 | Mouthfeel: 6 | Flavor: 8 | Overall: 7

Cola black body with light penetrating, but not all that easily. There’s a moderate khaki head that lingers for a bit then fades completely. The aroma is cake-like with a bit of chocolate and a bit of roast. The flavor is nice with more chocolate and more roast. There’s a little more body there than some schwarzbiers, but that’s a good thing. This is a really enjoyable lager.

Aroma: 7 | Appearance: 8 | Mouthfeel: 6 | Flavor: 8 | Overall: 8

Poured a dark brown with an okay head, lacin wasn't great. Aroma was of coffee lots of coffee and some roastedness. Flavor was the same with some carmel malts in it. Mouthfeel was thin for most of the beer, but got better as it warmed.

Aroma: 7 | Appearance: 8 | Mouthfeel: 6 | Flavor: 8 | Overall: 8

Poured a dark black brownish color with a nice initial head. The lacing was weak, but the head sustained itself quite nicely. The aroma was of coffee first and foremost, followed by some chocolate, some roastedness, and very light licorice. The flavor was much of the same with some caramel, and as it warmed it really came on nicely. The mouthfeel started too thin, but got respectable after warming.

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 7 | Mouthfeel: 8 | Flavor: 8 | Overall: 8

A dark black appearance with a beige head. A faint chocolate aroma. The flavor is very nice with some chocolate, mocha, caramel, and sugar. It has a very desert like character to it. Chocolate cake in a bottle. A very good value as well. A good beer indeed.

Aroma: 10 | Appearance: 10 | Mouthfeel: 8 | Flavor: 9 | Overall: 9

500 ml bottle, bought at Pivni Galerie, Prague. Label says Herold Bohemian Black Lager, tmavý speciál, 13 degrees plato, Schwarzbier, ABV 5.2%. Very dark reddish brown colour, nearly black, deep ruby when held to the light. Moderate tan head. Excellent aroma of roasted malts, tar, leather and tobacco. Flavour of roastiness, notes of dark chocolate and liquorice, well balanced with the hops, not particularly sweet. Mouthfeel a bit too thin to deserve a straight "10", still a very good beer. Recommended!

Aroma: 9 | Appearance: 8 | Mouthfeel: 9 | Flavor: 8 | Overall: 9

Bottle. Black with a good sized tan head. Aroma is chocolate, roast malts, yeast. taste is same plus coffee and hops. Smooth, moderately carbonated, very drinkable. Very good.