Köstritzer Dark is a German Schwarzbier, or black lager, at 4.8% - deep mahogany-black in the glass but built along lager lines rather than stout ones.

The aroma runs to roasted malt with a touch of dark chocolate and a faint coffee edge, without any of the heaviness that colour usually promises. Bitterness is gentle, the roast reads as flavour rather than char, and the body stays surprisingly light and lager-crisp for something this dark, with fine carbonation keeping it moving rather than sitting heavy on the tongue.

Serve it cold rather than at stout temperature - the roasted character still comes through at that chill. Drink it young and cold - this is a lager first, and lagers are best fresh, not held back and saved for later.