The Duck-Rabbit Craft Brewery “Schwarzbier”

Style: Schwarzbier
ABV: 5.8%

We all know that breweries tend to produce a lot more “summer friendly” brews or seasonal releases once the summer months roll around – goses, pilsners, cervezas, etc. Basically, light, crushable beer becomes the main attraction in many brew lineups. However, when you’re good at making darker beers, like The Duck-Rabbit Craft Brewery (in Farmville, NC), why deviate? Known as “The Dark Beer Specialist,” Duck-Rabbit has been producing famous and delicious dark beers since 2004, including their flagship “Milk Stout,” but they still partake in seasonal releases. Don’t let the dark color fool you, as their “Schwarzbier” is a summer brew, released in June. After a great day at the Farmville Disc Golf Course, we made our way to the brewery, which currently has limited hours, so be sure to plan ahead for your next visit!

Joe’s Take

Duck or Rabbit? Lager or ale? What do you see when you look into a glass of schwarzbier? Despite an appearance that reminds most of stouts and porters, schwarzbier is actually a dark lager that originated in Germany. Now, although we usually associate lagers with light mild flavored beers, that doesn’t mean lagers can’t pack plenty of flavor. The prime example of schwarzbier from The Duck-Rabbit Brewery in Farmville, NC packs plenty of roasty, coffee, and chocolate flavor we have come to love from our favorite dark beers. 

“Schwarzbier” by Duck-Rabbit came to me in a plastic pint glass while sitting in a chair on the front lawn of the brewery. The setting reminded me of a family get together with owner, Paul Philippon, sitting at the center of the group. Turning my attention back to the beer in my hand, I saw a dark black brew that barely allowed any light to penetrate. It featured a bubble dome of tan foam and this persisted for some time. 

I moved to take a sniff of the beer and immediately was struck by deep malt aromas and biscuit-like bread smells. There was almost a deep savory character to the beer and I found this inviting. This character, combined with the hint of spice in the aroma, reminded me of a fresh baked bread. 

I finally took a sip of the brew and noted a medium-bodied beer that didn’t feel too heavy or thick on the palate. The lager was incredibly smooth and complemented by a very balanced level of carbonation. This beer was an easy drinker, especially sitting in the bright hot sun.

The flavor of “Schwarzbier” is what had me ordering a second pint. It was rich and smooth but not overwhelming. There were heaps of dark roasted malt flavors, somewhat similar to perfectly browned toast. I also picked out flavors of dark chocolate and roasty coffee that combined with the grain to make a rich flavorful beer. 

Drinkability of this beer was high as it combined a smooth mouthfeel with mellow but rich malty flavor profile. I know I certainly had no problem getting two pints down while enjoying the sunset at the brewery.

Nick’s Take

As Joe mentioned, The Duck-Rabbit Brewery is a cozy, intimate venue to visit, that gives plenty of friendly and welcome vibes. We ordered the “Schwarzbier” being that it was one of the seasonal offerings, and grabbed a couple seats outside on a Saturday afternoon that was made for drinking beer. The cup of dark brown liquid appeared to be completely opaque until the sun hit it just right and showed some light pushing through. There were hues of red, amber, and brown glistening in this lager, and it sported a nice layer of pale foam. I had a feeling this was going to quench my thirst.

However, I had to refrain from diving in right away, as I didn’t want to skew my notes on the aroma. Initial smells brought out the rich malt compounds, inciting things like dark bread, coffee, and some sweetness (I detected a nutty quality, too). For a dark lager, it was not wholly roasty and bitter-smelling, but rather complex and leaning more toward the lighter side, making it perfect for hot weather.

My first few sips – well, perhaps “gulps” would be more accurate, as I was parched – were notably smooth, and that didn’t change throughout the rest of the beer. I’d say it was light to medium-bodied and the carbonation was toned down. Overall, this was a super smooth brew that allowed me to enjoy it quickly.

No surprise that the main flavors coming forth on “Schwarzbier” were malt heavy. The dark malt flavors were similar to what I noted for aromas, including rye bread, coffee, and sweet tones of chocolate. It was well-balanced and made it even easier to drink.

This was a real treat after a day in the hot sun. Who says pilsners are the king of summer beers? I’d advocate for a schwarzbier any day after enjoying Duck-Rabbit’s brew of the same name. “Schwarzbier” was smooth, flavorful, and not as roasty and bitter as a lot of other dark beers, making it very easy to crush and/or session. Considering how close The Duck-Rabbit Craft Brewery is, I certainly don’t make it there often enough and will need to fix that. Let us know if you stop by the brewery or try “Schwarzbier” yourself!