Beer of the Week: Late Night Chat

Of the world’s vast array of beer styles, few seem more mysterious to American drinkers – especially those in San Diego – than the dark, delicious schwarzbier. A German-style lager, it’s a rare dark beer that incorporates deeply kilned malts with the aim of minimizing roastiness, as opposed to porters and stouts that lean heavy into that coffee-like quality. It’s rather common for American schwarzbiers to exhibit out-of-spec roast and associated bitterness, further marring consumers’ impression of the style. On a more minor note, brewers often capitalize the word schwarzbier, and while Schwarz is a popular Deutsch surname, the term doesn’t reference some stylistic innovator. Schwarz is simply the German word for “black”. That onyx appearance leads many to believe schwarzbiers to be best-suited for gray or low-temperature weather, but balanced flavors and a low-to-mid alcohol level make it perfectly drinkable regardless of climate, rain or shine. The key to educating people and palates about lesser-seen, less understood styles is by introducing stellar examples. Enter this week’s featured beer, a black beauty from North Park’s Seek Beer Co. called Late Night Chat. Brewed in collaboration with Temecula-based craft-beer op, Relentless Brewing, this is the best locally brewed schwarzbier I’ve had in some time…perhaps ever. Dry with a lively light-mid body, Late Night Chat delivers delectable flavors of bakers chocolate with chicory-like spice. None of those flavors are in your face; everything is in balance. And though you could drink this year-round (were it available, of course, which it isn’t…act now), it is wonderful for autumn and the winter season that will be upon us before we know it. If you’ve been turned off by heavy or overly roasty interpretations of this style in the past, chart a path for Seek’s home at North Park’s Brewery Igniter facility to enjoy an archetypal and incredibly tasty schwarzbier. This is how dark is done!

In collaboration with Relentless Brewing, our team envisioned crafting a schwarzbier as the seasons transitioned towards colder nights. Focused on a restrained roast character while achieving the desired dark hue, the creative process behind Late Night Chat schwarzbier emerged from our shared enthusiasm and discussions over beers. At 5.4% ABV (alcohol-by-volume), this German lager elegantly marries dark malt richness with the sessionable appeal of a lighter brew, offering a harmonious blend of roast and chocolate notes upfront that seamlessly transition to a refreshing finish. Noteworthy for its balanced hop character and lively carbonation, this schwarzbier is poised to delight palates and beckon the arrival of cozy evenings with each sip, leaving you eagerly reaching for the next.”

Dave Ohmer, Co-owner & Head Brewer, Seek Beer Co.

Seek Beer Co. is located inside the CRAFT by Brewery Igniter facility at 3052 El Cajon Boulevard, Suite 103 in North Park