hopIQ
ENDE
Build your DNASign in

Japan Black

Tap to rate

Japan Black began as a single-batch taphouse beer and moved into the core range after it sold out quickly. It is a black lager in the German dark lager tradition, brewed from barley and wheat malt with natural hops. The beer is walnut brown to black under a tan head. The nose shows cocoa and dark chocolate with a light roast edge, and the palate joins smooth malt sweetness with chocolate, raisin bread and toasted nut notes before a dry, light finish that keeps the dark malt easy to drink.

ABV
4.4%
Bitterness
Lightly bitter
Roasted bitterness
SRM
dark30
PaceSession

AWARDS

Gold · 2022
World Beer Championships
Best Black Beer
Gold
World Beer Championships
Gold · 2024
Australian International Beer Awards
★Gold — World Beer Championships (Best Black Beer)
★Gold — World Beer Championships
★Gold — Australian International Beer Awards
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
Balance
malt-forwardhop-forward
What makes this beer itself
chocolatenuttyroasted
chocolate
nutty
roasted
malty
toasty
dark fruit
Aroma
The nose opens with pronounced cocoa and dark chocolate notes, supported by a light roast character that avoids harshness.
also:clean
not found:hoppy,caramel,fruity,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Japan Black

◎ Appearance

Japan Black presents a deep walnut-brown to black body with excellent clarity, crowned by a tan head that adheres evenly to the glass walls. The color shifts subtly between light and dark depending on the viewing angle, revealing the complexity of the dark malt bill. Carbonation appears moderate and well-integrated, supporting a stable foam collar.

walnut brown to blackcleartan headstable lacing

◌ Aroma

The nose opens with pronounced cocoa and dark chocolate notes, supported by a light roast character that avoids harshness. Beneath the chocolate foundation, subtle hints of toasted grain emerge, suggesting the careful balance of the barley and wheat malt blend. Natural hops remain understated, allowing the malt-derived aromas to command the profile.

cocoadark chocolatelight roasttoasted grain

◐ Taste

The palate enters with smooth malt sweetness that immediately integrates with chocolate and raisin bread flavors, creating a cohesive mid-palate presence. Toasted nut notes—walnut and hazelnut character—provide textural depth without overwhelming the chocolate foundation. The finish turns dry and crisp, shedding residual sweetness while maintaining the dark malt's approachability throughout.

chocolateraisin breadtoasted nutsmalt sweetnessdry finish

◑ Finish

The dry, light finish cuts cleanly through the malt body, leaving behind echoes of chocolate and toasted grain without lingering heaviness. Aftertaste remains brief and clean, allowing easy reach for the next sip.

drycleanshort-to-medium length
78
hopIQ score
Aroma
80
Taste
82
Appearance
75
Finish
78
Serve at 7–9°C

Serve at 7–9°C for the best flavour balance and aroma expression.

Pint glass

The classic — versatile, comfortable to hold and keeps the beer cool. No frills, no distractions: just the beer.

+ Sign in to add your tasting note

Food Pairing

What to eat with Japan Black

More from Burleigh Brewing Company

28 Pale Ale
28 Pale Ale
Pale Ale
5.0%·Noticeably bitter
Find matches →
Bighead
Bighead
Australian Lager
4.2%·Lightly bitter
Find matches →
Bighead Mid
Bighead Mid
Mid-Strength Lager
3.0%·Lightly bitter
Find matches →
Black Giraffe
Black Giraffe
Schwarzbier
5.3%·Lightly bitter
Find matches →
Burleigh Cerveza
Burleigh Cerveza
Mexican Lager
4.6%·Mild
Find matches →
Czech Mates
Czech Mates
Czech Premium Pale Lager
4.5%·Lightly bitter
Find matches →
Duke Premium
Duke Premium
Pale Lager
5.7%·Lightly bitter
Find matches →
FIGJAM
FIGJAM
IPA
7.4%·Strongly bitter
Find matches →

About Schwarzbier

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Schwarzbier?

Schwarzbier is a distinctive beer style with its own characteristic flavour, aroma and colour. Discover what makes it unique and find similar beers on hopIQ.

Finding a similar Schwarzbier

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same chocolate, nutty, dry character as Japan Black will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

Compare with another beer →Explore all Schwarzbier beers in hopIQ →Browse Australia beers →