Hey Pisgah Brewing of Black Mountain, North Carolina. I’ve heard such great things about you, but I have to say, so far you’re 0 for 2 in my book. OK, that’s not really completely true. I did very much enjoy Pisgah Pale Ale, I just thought it was overpriced at $10.99 a six-pack of cans. Pisgah Schwartz, on the other hand, was much more reasonable at $4.75 for a bomber bottle. I grabbed two, one for me and one for a friend.

Now for the bad news: while Pisgah Pale was priced badly but tasted great, Pisgah Schwartz was priced great but tasted badly, as we will see shortly.

From the label:

A long winter night, obsidian black yet an ephemeral touch to the frigid air. Like our black German style lager, rich darkness abounds, yet is contained in an approachably easy drinkability. Expect subtly smoky flavors to pair with roasted barley and a clean lager finish that is ultimately satisfying. 

Pisgah Schwartz has an alcohol content of 4.9% by volume.

Pisgah Schwartz pours to a dark brownish black (not opaque) color with a medium creamy tan head and a nose of-wait a minute! Vinegar! Taking a sip, I get some of the dark roasty malts I want in a Schwarzbier just for a second, before it’s all ruined by the sour vinegar taste of an infected brew. I can get some roastiness in the finish too, in between the sourness. To paraphrase Gilbert and Sullivan, it has the remnants of a good beer about it.

It’s sad when a brewery has these kinds of problems, but even sadder is that we the consumer end up paying the price. $10 down the drain (literally) for bad beer. I would not buy this one again based on this bad experience, or any of their bombers, until they confirm they have solved this problem. Sadly, I e-mailed Pisgah about this, and they couldn’t be bothered to answer me. What a shame.

And remember, try a new beer today, and drink outside the box.

*Pricing data accurate at time of review or latest update. For reference only, based on actual price paid by reviewer.

(B)=Bottled

(D)=Draft

(G)=Growler

 

 

 



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