Brewery: | Excel Brewing Company |
Location | Breese, IL |
Style | Schwarzbier |
ABV | 4.8% |
IBUs | 30 |
Best Quote During Tasting
I haven't pooped myself in years!
Justin:
Aroma - Chocolatey sweetness. Roasted but not coffee-like. Slight caramel. The rye isn't there at first but it enters the game after it sits out for a minute. |
Score: 10/12 |
Appearance - Ruby highlights when held at the right angle. Other than that, it's a deep black with a soft, tan head. |
Score: 3/3 |
Flavor - Spice from the rye is right something you get right away. Compared to the aroma, the chocolate is actually quite subdued. I was surprised when I tasted faint toffee next to some more expected roasted malts. |
Score: 17/20 |
Mouthfeel - Medium-high carbonation. Medium-full bodied. Finishes semi-dry. |
Score: 4/5 |
Overall Impression - Excel is located in a small town (Breese, IL) that I've only ever heard of because my sister married a guy who grew up there. I visited there once and it was off the beaten path to say the least. It might be for that reason that I had low expectations going into this one. However, I can say without a doubt that the beer more than met them. With it being a lager, there was a lot of room for the malts to shine and they didn't disappoint. The chocolate rye malt was a pleasant twist on a Schwarzbier and is something that feel I have to use next time I brew. I don't know what beer I'll make with it but a clone of this one doesn't sound bad. |
Score: 8/10 |
Blake:
Aroma - Not too far off from what'd you smell opening a Hershey's bar. The chocolate malt really shines through in the aroma. |
Score: 10/12 |
Appearance - Black with deep amber highlights when held to the light. Tan head that dissipates slowly. |
Score: 3/3 |
Flavor - The chocolate is still very present, but is subdued to let through the roasty flavors of coffee through. A little kick of spice from the rye finishes it off quite nicely. |
Score: 17/20 |
Mouthfeel - Medium body and carbonation with a semi-dry finish. |
Score: 4/5 |
Overall Impression - I had this last year for the first time when Excel came to a local beer club at Iron Barley. I liked it then, and I like it even better now. It's a beer that's full of complex flavors but won't tire your palate out, and goes down easily. Excel has quietly been doing some great stuff lately. Look out later for a review of one of their phenomenal bombers. |
Score: 8/10 |

Justin Phelps
Co-Founder at Saint Brewis
Justin Phelps is a Certified Cicerone® who was born and raised in St. Louis. His passion for beer goes beyond just drinking it as he is also an award-winning home brewer. While he may be a marketing professional by day, he's a blogger, brewery hopper, and beer enthusiast by night.

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I thoroughly enjoy this beer. Ive had our several times. The chocolate is not very strong and the coffee Is not overwhelming