Karbach Mother in Lager

Brewery: Karbach Brewing Co.
Location: Houston, TX
Style: Dunkel
ABV: 5.8%

I received this can through a trade and specifically requested a mix of Karbach brews. Mother in Lager is Karbach's Autumn/Winter seasonal that is meant to help calm one who may be spending an excessive amount of time with the in-laws over the holiday breaks.

The commercial description is as follows:

What can you say about the woman who brings a big serving of judgment to every occasion?  Sometimes it’s best to say nothing at all.  Mother-in-Lager recognizes those who have shown glimpses of sweetness through their otherwise bitter exterior and feels for those who have to put up with it.  Brewed with dark malts and German hops, this brew's depth of flavor will allow you to relax and bite your tongue while she reorganizes your entire kitchen.  So grab a 6’er of Mother-in-Lager and be prepared for the next time she comes to visit.  It’s going to be a long, cold night.

I may be one of the fortunate few who has a wonderful Mother-in-Law. I actually don't mind her company; in fact, she just celebrated a birthday this past weekend, which is what prompted this review.

Appearance: Mother in Lager pours a clean and deep brown with a quickly dissipating head. Minimal lacing.

Aroma: Malty-base. Chocolate, cherry, and butter notes. This is rich smelling beer. Very aromatic.

Taste: The flavor profile on this beer begins with strong malt flavors (I get a mix of toasted and chocolate malts). This is followed by fig and dates sugars and finishes with mildly bitter and roasted flavors. The hops are subtle in this beer. Except for a little dryness at the end, I can hardly detect their presence.

Mouthfeel: This is a creamy and smooth lager; it's full-bodied with medium complexity.

Overall: I appreciate Karbach's attempts at rejuvenating the lager. They have released a variety of tasty lagers and proven they can hang in a market that's mostly dominated by craft ales.

Mother in Lager is enjoyable, but may be a tad too sweet for some. Nonetheless, it's approachable, fun, and sweet.