BJCP 2021 / 8B
Schwarzbier
A dark lager with the drinkability of a pils, gentle roast and a dry finish.
- Drink fresh
- standard strength
- dark color
- bottom fermented
- lagered
Serve: 42 to 48F, Pint or mug
OG1.120
1.046 to 1.052FG1.030
1.010 to 1.016IBU120
20 to 35SRM40
19 to 30ABV14%
4.4 to 5.4%Taste it in order
Aroma
12 pts- Low roasted malt like dark chocolate or coffee
- Faint spicy hop
- Clean
- Vague
- Roasty
- Better
- Light roast and a hint of chocolate
- Best
- Low to moderate roast and dark chocolate aroma, faint noble hop, clean lager yeast
Appearance
3 pts- Very dark brown to black
- Clear, ruby when held to light
- Tan to brown head
- Vague
- Black
- Better
- Black with ruby edges
- Best
- Very dark brown to black, clear with ruby highlights, tan head of good retention
Flavor
20 pts- Light roasted malt and dark bread
- Noble hop flavor at a low level
- Moderate bitterness, dry finish
- Vague
- Roasty
- Better
- Light roast with a dry finish
- Best
- Low to moderate roasted malt and dark bread flavor, low spicy hop, moderate bitterness, clean dry finish
Mouthfeel
5 pts- Medium-light to medium body
- Medium carbonation
- Smooth with a dry finish
- Vague
- Smooth
- Better
- Medium-light and dry
- Best
- Medium-light body, smooth, dry finish with no roast astringency
Overall Impression
10 ptsLifts it
- Subtle roast
- Dry crisp finish
Drops it
- Burnt roast
- Heavy sweetness
Writing tip
Judge whether roast is gentle. Example: 'Light dark-chocolate roast with a dry finish. Very drinkable and clean.'
Pour these
- Köstritzer SchwarzbierKöstritzerDry, light roast, easy drinking
- Mönchshof SchwarzbierKulmbacher BrauereiSlightly fuller with chocolate notes
Often confused with
- 8A Munich DunkelMunich Dunkel is bready and has no roast
- 20A American PorterAmerican Porter is bigger, hoppier and fruitier
Fine here
- DMS: A trace is tolerated
Ruinous here
- Astringent: Over-roasted grain scratches
- Diacetyl: Butter
- Oxidized: Stale
Style names, numbers and vital statistics follow the BJCP 2021 beer guidelines. Descriptions and example choices are our own. Check a beer is still made before you hunt for it.