Xingu Black Lager 6Pk is a Brazilian-inspired black lager (schwarzbier) at 4.6% ABV, sold in a six-pack of 12 oz bottles. A two-time Beverage Testing Institute Gold Medal winner rated "Outstanding" at 91 points, Xingu stands apart from conventional dark lagers through its use of manioc (cassava) and corn alongside barley — ingredients rooted in indigenous Amazonian brewing traditions.Quick Facts: ABV: 4.6% | Origin: Brazil / Brewed in Canada | Style: Black Lager | Brewery: Cervejas Premium do BrasilProduction & HeritageXingu draws its name and inspiration from the Xingu River in the Amazon basin, where indigenous women historically brewed a dark, fermented beverage from manioc root long before European contact. Cervejas Premium do Brasil developed the modern recipe to honor that tradition, incorporating corn and manioc alongside conventional brewing grains to produce a black lager that diverges meaningfully from the German schwarzbier template. Current production takes place at the Saint John brewery in Canada, though the brand identity and recipe development remain Brazilian. The result is a hybrid style — darker and more complex than a typical lager, yet lighter-bodied and more accessible than most stouts or porters.Tasting NotesAroma: Dark roast coffee leads, followed by licorice and a modest dark grainy quality. A faint sweetness emerges as the beer warms, suggesting treacle and dried fruit.Taste: The entry is smooth and slightly sweet, with dark roast coffee and subtle chocolate arriving immediately on the palate. Mid-palate develops herbal and anise-like notes alongside a raisin-like dark fruit quality. A gentle charred grain bitterness balances the sweetness through the finish, with fleeting touches of maple syrup adding unexpected depth.Finish: Medium in length with a clean, dry close that belies its dark appearance. Lingering coffee and licorice fade gradually, leaving minimal residual sweetness.How to Drink XinguXingu drinks best chilled to around 45–50°F, which allows the roasted flavors to express themselves without the beer becoming heavy or cloying. Pour into a tulip glass or nonic pint to capture the coffee-forward aroma. For cocktail applications, try it in a Black Velvet — the lager's roasted depth pairs naturally with sparkling wine's acidity. It also works well in a Michelada, where the charred grain character stands up to lime and hot sauce better than pale lagers. A Black and Stormy Float — Xingu layered over a scoop of vanilla ice cream — highlights the subtle chocolate and coffee notes as a dessert serve.Best For Introducing dark beer to friends who typically drink lighter lagers Pairing with barbecue or smoked meats at a summer cookout Building a tasting flight exploring international schwarzbier-adjacent styles Gifting a craft beer enthusiast something outside the usual IPA rotation Frequently Asked QuestionsWhat does Xingu Black Lager taste like? Xingu delivers dark roast coffee, subtle chocolate, licorice, and herbal notes with a slight sweetness reminiscent of treacle, all wrapped in a surprisingly light, clean body at 4.6% ABV.How does Xingu compare to German schwarzbiers? While many drinkers note similarities in body and roasted character, Xingu's use of manioc and corn gives it a slightly sweeter, more complex profile than traditional German schwarzbiers like Köstritzer, which tend to be drier and more strictly malt-focused. Xingu's Amazonian heritage makes it a distinct interpretation of the dark lager category rather than a direct German-style replica.Is Xingu good for beginners exploring dark beer? Absolutely — at 4.6% ABV with a smooth, lightly sweet flavor profile and no aggressive bitterness or heavy body, Xingu is one of the most approachable dark beers available and a natural bridge for lager drinkers curious about darker styles.Where is Xingu made? Xingu is a Brazilian brand developed by Cervejas Premium do Brasil, with current production handled at the Saint John brewery in Canada. The recipe is inspired by traditional fermented manioc beverages brewed by indigenous communities along the Xingu River in the Amazon basin.What foods pair well with Xingu? Smoked brisket or pulled pork benefits from the roasted coffee notes cutting through the fat. Mole-sauced dishes echo the beer's chocolate and anise character. Aged cheddar or Gouda harmonize with the subtle sweetness. Feijoada — Brazil's national black bean stew — is a natural cultural and flavor match. Dark chocolate desserts amplify the coffee and cacao notes already present in the beer.What sizes does Xingu come in? Xingu Black Lager is commonly available in six-packs of 12 oz bottles, which is the standard retail format.Is Xingu worth the price? Xingu positions as a moderately priced specialty import, sitting above mass-market lagers but well below craft single-bottle releases. Its BTI Gold Medal credentials and unique manioc-based recipe represent strong value for a beer with genuine distinction in the dark lager category.Why Xingu?Few beers in the dark lager category carry a backstory as singular as Xingu's. The inclusion of manioc and corn — a direct nod to pre-Columbian Amazonian fermentation — creates a flavor profile that no German schwarzbier fully replicates, blending Old World brewing technique with New World ingredients. Two Beverage Testing Institute Gold Medals (1998, 1999) and a 91-point "Outstanding" rating validate the recipe's quality, while a 2017 Gold Medal at the Los Angeles International Beer Competition confirms its continued relevance. For drinkers seeking a dark beer that is both historically meaningful and genuinely easy to drink, Xingu occupies a category of one.
