A dark brown to black German lager, the schwarzbier ("black beer") is suprisingly lighter bodied than its color would suggest. Schwarzbiers, while not weak in malt character, tend to emphasize a hoppy bitterness and often finish somewhat dry and with a medium mouthfeel. Roasted, overly bitter, and sweet flavors do not overrun these beers like in many stouts or porters, although they can display some chocolate, caramel, and light coffee aspects (short of anything "burnt"). Schwarzbiers can be a pretty site to look at with their dark bodies and fairly persistent tan heads.
