Schwarzbier
A black German lager that is smooth and clean, with gentle roast and no harsh bitterness.
About the Schwarzbier style
Schwarzbier, meaning black beer, is a dark lager from eastern Germany. Despite its colour it is a light-bodied, smooth, clean beer rather than a heavy one.
The roast character is deliberately gentle, often using dehusked dark malt to avoid the sharp, burnt edge of an ale stout. The result is a drinkable dark beer with the crisp finish of a lager.
Schwarzbier is a dark lager that originated in Germany. It has an opaque, black colour with hints of chocolate or coffee flavours, and is generally around 5% ABV. It is similar to stout in that it is made from roasted malt, which gives it its dark colour.
Grain, hops and yeast
Malt and grain: Pilsner and Munich malts with a small amount of dehusked roasted malt for colour and a soft, gentle roast.
Hop character: Moderate noble hopping for balance.
Yeast and fermentation: A clean lager yeast, cold-fermented and lagered, keeping it smooth.
A typical Schwarzbier runs 4.4 to 5.4% alcohol by volume, with a bitterness of about 20 to 30 IBU and a colour of 17 to 30 SRM. It is traditionally served in a willi becher. These figures describe the usual range for the style; a given example may sit a little outside them.
Yeast and fermentation notes
A clean lager yeast fermented cold, around 9 to 12 degrees Celsius, and lagered for weeks, keeps the beer smooth and crisp. The gentle roast comes from dehusked dark malt in the grist, so the fermentation stays clean and neutral.
Serving in brief
Serve a schwarzbier cold, around 5 to 7 degrees Celsius, with a moderate carbonation. It is a smooth, sessionable dark lager best served fresh and well lagered, its colour belying its light body.
Classic examples
Well-known commercial examples of the style include Köstritzer Schwarzbier, Einbecker Schwarzbier and Sprecher Black Bavarian. Tasting a benchmark example is the best way to understand what a style should be before brewing your own.
| Vital statistic | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Origin | Germany |
| Strength (ABV) | 4.4 to 5.4% |
| Bitterness (IBU) | 20 to 30 |
| Colour (SRM) | 17 to 30 |
| Traditional glass | Willi Becher |
Typical published ranges. Individual examples vary.
Pick the yeast for a Schwarzbier
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Sources: BJCP Beer Style Guidelines · Wikipedia