Huss Brewing pays tribute to Rio Salado with release of Schwarzbier on Saturday

Here’s something Valley craft beer drinkers don’t see often: Huss Brewing will have a Schwarzbier on tap Saturday.

Dubbed Rise of the Rio, the black beer (5.1% ABV) is an homage to Rio Salado Brewing, which specialized in German-style ales (including a Schwarzbier) before closing in 2006.

Huss now occupies Rio Salado’s former building on Mineral Road in south Tempe.

Schwarzbier is a dark lager that doesn’t have the chocolate or coffee flavors of a stout or porter. The style is less hoppy than a black pilsner, and less roasty than a dunkel.

Anyone who has one of Rio Salado’s 20-ounce mugs can fill it with Rise of the Rio for the price of a pint.

Huss Brewing opens at noon Saturday.

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