BJCP 8B · Dark European Lager
Schwarzbier
A nearly black German lager, dry and light, with soft notes of bitter chocolate and coffee and no harshness. Easier to drink than it looks.
Schwarzbier by the numbers
- Alcohol (ABV)
- 4.4 – 5.4%on a scale of 2.0 to 14.0
- Bitterness
- 20 – 35 IBUon a scale of 0 to 100
- Color
- 19 – 30 SRM37–59 EBCon a scale of 1 to 40
- Original gravity
- 1.046 – 1.052on a scale of 1.026 to 1.130
- Final gravity
- 1.010 – 1.016on a scale of 0.990 to 1.040
What Schwarzbier is like
A very dark but light, dry lager with a soft roast reminiscent of bittersweet chocolate or coffee, without burnt or harsh notes. The bitterness balances the malt and leaves a clean finish. It fools the eye: it's much lighter than its color suggests.
Appearance
Very dark brown to black, with ruby or garnet highlights when held to the light, and good clarity. Dense, persistent tan head.
Aroma
Malt with bready notes and a soft dark chocolate or coffee roast. There may be some floral or spicy noble hops, and there shouldn't be any esters.
Flavor
Light malt with toasted bread notes and a touch of bitter chocolate or coffee, without noticeable sweetness. The bitterness is moderate and joins the roast in a dry finish. No burnt, sour or astringent notes.
Mouthfeel
Medium-light to medium body. Moderate to medium-high carbonation and a smooth texture.
Where Schwarzbier comes from
It's a traditional beer from eastern Germany, especially Thuringia and Saxony, with a history going back several centuries. The one from Köstritz is the best known and became the benchmark for the style.
Ingredients
Munich and pilsner malt as the base, with debittered dark malts for color and roast without harshness. German noble hops. Clean lager yeast.
Brew it yourself
How to brew Schwarzbier at home
Ferment at 9-11 °C (48-52 °F) with a clean lager yeast, do a diacetyl rest and lager cold for several weeks. Use debittered dark malts (like Carafa Special) or add them at the end of the mash to avoid harshness. The typical mistake is overdoing the roast: if it tastes like a stout, you've gone too far.
Food pairing
Pairs well with smoked meat, sautéed mushrooms and dark chocolate.
Glassware: pilsner glass, tall and slender, to show off the color and the bubbles.
Classic examples
- Köstritzer Schwarzbier
- Mönchshof Schwarzbier
Frequently asked questions
How strong is Schwarzbier?
Between 4.4% and 5.4% ABV, according to the BJCP 2021 Style Guidelines. That is a moderate strength.
How bitter is Schwarzbier?
It has 20 to 35 IBUs, a moderate bitterness. For reference, a mass-market lager is around 10 IBUs.
What color is Schwarzbier?
Brown to black: 19 to 30 SRM (37 to 59 EBC).
What food pairs well with Schwarzbier?
Pairs well with smoked meat, sautéed mushrooms and dark chocolate.
Which styles are similar?
If you like it, also try Munich Dunkel, International Dark Lager and American Porter.
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Classification and statistics: official Schwarzbier guidelines from the BJCP, 2021 edition. Original text by Hacer Cerveza Casera.