"Herold Black is made from a starting gravity of 13.1-13.2 (1053). Pilsner, crystal, Munich and black malts are used. Some of the Pilsner malt is made at the brewery. A double decoction mash is employed. The brew has an unusually long boil, and it is hopped three times, entirely with the Saaz variety. Lagering is for 75-80 days. The beer emerges with 5.2 per cent alcohol by volume (4.1 by weight).
It has collected first prize two years running in Bohemia's annual judging, and has had similar success as far away as Stockholm, Sweden. In Britain, this lager has even been presented in a cask, as though it were an ale.
Tasting note: Dark brown to black. Dense creamy head. Oily richness.
Flavors reminiscent of bittersweet chocolate. Some sappy bitterness. Long, cedary, dry, smoky. finish.
Food pairings: In describing a good beer, the Czechs use the expression chlebnatost, "full-breadedness". What a great description. This style of "black" lager is served with chunky dark bread and a generous dollop of cream cheese at U Fleku. It's pretty good with marinated meats like brisket, in dark sauces: Austrian Tafelspitz or German Sauerbraten. And have another with your post-prandial cigar." (Michael Jackson, Beer Hunter Online 2001, http://www.beerhunter.com/documents/19133-001610.html)
"Tuoksu: 7/10
Ulkonäkö: 4/5
Maku: 7/10
Suutuntuma: 4/5
Kokonaisvaikutelma: 15/20
Yhteispisteet: 37/50
Hinta-laatu: 79/100
Herold on lähes musta, ja beigeltä, nopeasti katoavalta vaahdoltaan runsas ja pitsinen. Miellyttävässä tuoksussa on tummaa kahvia, paahdettua mallasta, karamellia, sekä hiven lakritsia ja humalaa. Maku on hyvin pehmeä, palaneen maltainen, suklainen ja kermaisen kahvinen. Suutuntuma on keskitäyteläinen, voimakkaan palanut, mutta silti kermainen ja hieman vaahtoavan hiilihappoinen. Värimaltaan runsaasta käytöstä huolimatta kokonaisuus on tasapainoinen, maukas ja kiinnostava - jopa hyvin stoutmainen. Tsekkioluiden ehdotonta eliittiä, ja muutenkin piristävän poikkeava olut!" (Seppo Äyräväinen, 2006, Olutopas.info)
www.ratebeer.com - kuluttajan painava sana [http://ratebeer.com/Ratings/Beer/Beer-Ratings.asp?BeerID=10941]
"This brew is rare example of "old world" quality. The dark malt protects both the aroma and flavor from oxidation. The aroma is that of soft, aromatic hops. The most expensive type. The taste is delicate and robust at the same time. This is due to the malt, decotion mashing, soft water and long (by western standards) lager time. An exceptional value and almost always "fresh" tasting." [http://ratebeer.com/Ratings/Beer/Beer-Ratings.asp?BeerID=10941 nimimerkki brauer (7), Virginia, USA]
"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!" [http://ratebeer.com/Ratings/Beer/Beer-Ratings.asp?BeerID=10941 nimimerkki oh6gdx (1565), Vaasa, Finland]
"No public liquor laws means that I get to make the cement barricade next to the river in Prague my personal bar. Which is how I had this beer, looking at the sunset hitting the city, river, etc. And the beer is incredibly delicious, possibly my favorite schwarzbier Ive ever had. This is a great brewer, mark the words." [http://ratebeer.com/Ratings/Beer/Beer-Ratings.asp?BeerID=10941 nimimerkki beaconstreet (769), Washington DC, USA]
"Czechs for centuries, have brewed dark lagers, the most famous coming from a 15th Century brewpub in Prague called U-Fleku. Herold Bohemian Black Lager comes out of that Czech dark lager traditon, and is a delicious, smooth, complex dark lager, very similar to German schwarzbier or "black beer". This beer is brewed with four different malts including pilsner, crystal, Munich, and black patent. It employs the decoction method of brewing, in which a portion of the mash is removed from the mash tun, heated to a higher temperature, and then returned to the mash. This step in the brewing process gives a beer deep, toasty, and nutty malt character. Herold Bohemian Black is an exceptionally smooth beer, being lagered from 75 to 80 days. This beer is hopped three times with one variety, the famous Bohemian Red, or Saaz hop. Herold Bohemian Black Lager pours to a deep brown/black color with a thick and creamy white head, and a soft carbonation. The nose on this beer is very complex with aromas of sweet malt, nuts, dark chocolate, a hint of roast, a touch of smoke, and grassy hop aromas. The palate is equally complex with a slick and clean mouth feel. Flavors of dark chocolate, sweet malt, nuts, toast, with slight hints of roast and smoke that coat the tongue. This beer is very smooth and drinkable, and weighs in at 5.2% abv. Bohemian Black finishes with more complex dark malt flavors up front, and ends with a slighty grassy/cedary hop bitterness, that balances this beer to perfection. This is an outstanding dark lager with tremendous flavor and character. The label states this beer is a schwarzbier, and indeed it is. However, it is a little different from German examples. Herold Bohemian Black is a bit richer and fuller on the palate than its German counterparts, and a bit more hoppy in aroma and bitterness. This beer would work well with a number of hearty dishes. I would match this with German fare, Barbecued or grilled meats, even Japanese cuisine. Herold Bohemian Black is available in 1/2 liter bottles, and retails for $1.98 a bottle, making it well worth seeking out. A beer of this quality, at that price, is a steal." [http://ratebeer.com/Ratings/Beer/Beer-Ratings.asp?BeerID=10941 nimimerkki TheBeerLover (737), DC Metro Area, USA]
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