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WEST Black

WEST Brewery
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🌍 United Kingdom · Schwarzbier · One of 34 Schwarzbiers in hopIQ

A fabulous smooth black beer brewed in strict accordance with the Reinheitsgebot using only water, malt, hops and yeast. All the hints of chocolate and coffee you'd expect of a stout without any of the bitterness. Glasgow's finest Schwarzbier.

ABV
4.6%
Bitterness
Lightly bitter
Roasted bitterness
SRM
dark38
See all Schwarzbier alternatives →
How it drinks· Its pace, balance and relationship to the style.
Pace
sessionsipper
Balance
malt-ledhop-led
Style expression
textbookdistinctive
Taste structure· The backbone of the beer, regardless of style.
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
hopIQ take

Substantial body.

The weight carries the beer on its own, leaving the aromatics free to lead.

Wider bands mean we're less certain about the exact position.
Character· What makes this beer itself — not just another Schwarzbier.
Malt character
roasted
chocolate
coffee
malty
toasty
Fermentation & yeast
clean
yeasty
Distinctive notes
dark fruit
Compare with another beer →

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for WEST Black

Appearance

Deep black with a subtle ruby translucence at the edges when held to light. A dense tan head forms quickly and clings to the glass with fine, persistent lacing. The carbonation is gentle and even, creating a refined, creamy texture rather than aggressive effervescence.

deep blackfine lacingcreamy head

Aroma

The nose leads with roasted grain and dark chocolate, soft and inviting without the sharp bite of a stout. Subtle coffee notes emerge beneath, along with a faint toasty sweetness from the Malz. A clean, restrained yeast character adds definition without overwhelming the malt-driven profile.

roasted graindark chocolatesubtle coffee

Taste

The palate opens smooth and malty, with chocolate and coffee flavors developing gradually across the mid-palate. Bitterness is restrained at 25 IBU, allowing the roasted malt character to remain the focal point. The finish is clean and slightly crisp, with a light, dry quality that prevents any heaviness despite the dark appearance.

smooth maltlow bitternessbalanced roasted notes

Finish

The aftertaste fades quickly and cleanly, leaving only a whisper of chocolate and toast on the palate. There is no lingering harshness or astringency, making this beer exceptionally drinkable despite its dark color.

clean finishlight aftertaste
82
hopIQ score
Aroma
80
Taste
84
Appearance
81
Finish
80
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Serve & Enjoy

How to get the most out of WEST Black

Serve at 7–9°C
Refrigerate, then rest 2 min

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

Pint glass
Recommended for this style

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

Store in a cool, dark place. Check the best-before date on the label for guidance.

Food Pairing

What to eat with WEST Black

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 roasted, smooth, chocolate character as WEST Black will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

Other Schwarzbiers in hopIQ

Explore all Schwarzbier beers in hopIQ →Browse United Kingdom beers →