Bauhaus Stargrazer

Tasting Notes

Stargrazer pours deep mahogany-black with a light tan head and opens with roasted malt aromas that lean toward dark chocolate and a hint of coffee, kept restrained rather than aggressive. The palate is smooth and relatively lean — roast character is present but not bitter, with subtle notes of dark bread and a faint nuttiness. Body is medium-light, which is characteristic of the style, making it feel less heavy than its color suggests. The finish is clean and dry with just enough lingering roast to remind you what you're drinking.

About the Brewery

Bauhaus Brew Labs is based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and opened in 2014. The brewery takes its aesthetic cues from Bauhaus design philosophy — functional, geometric, visually distinct — and that sensibility carries through their branding as well as their beer lineup, which leans toward well-executed lager and hybrid styles. They're a solid presence in the Twin Cities craft scene and tend to favor approachable, technically clean beers over extreme or novelty-driven releases.

Food Pairings

Roasted pork or braised short ribs work well because the beer's dark malt character echoes the caramelized crust without overwhelming the meat. Smoked gouda or aged cheddar mirrors the nutty roast notes and adds richness. A classic bratwurst with mustard is a natural regional pairing that lets the beer's clean malt backbone do the heavy lifting. Dark rye bread with butter or soft cheese is a simple match that plays directly into the grain character of the style. For dessert, a modest dark chocolate bark or a brownie with minimal sweetness bridges the roasty finish without tipping into cloying territory.

Style Guide

Schwarzbier — German for 'black beer' — is a dark lager originating in central Germany, particularly Thuringia and Saxony, with a history predating most modern beer styles. It uses roasted malts for color and flavor but is fermented cold with lager yeast, which produces a noticeably cleaner, crisper profile than a stout or porter despite the similar appearance. ABV typically falls in the 4.5–5.5% range, and bitterness stays moderate. What sets it apart from a Munich Dunkel is the darker roast presence; what separates it from a stout is the absence of heavy body and the lager-driven attenuation.