Malt aroma & flavor
Medium malt aroma displays a mild roasted malt character. Malt sweetness is low to medium and displays a mild roasted malt character without bitterness.
European Origin Lager Styles
German-Style Schwarzbier
Lager · Very dark brown to black, with a pale-colored head.
What to expect
Medium malt aroma displays a mild roasted malt character.
Reading guide · The complete guideline attributes below preserve the source’s qualifications.Color · SRM
25–40
Pale / strawBlack
Very dark brown to black, with a pale-colored head. · Illustrative colors on the shared, uneven SRM scale.
Explore styles overlapping this color rangeAlcohol · ABV
3.8–4.9%
Reference scale, not a limit on official guideline values.
Bitterness · IBU
22–30
Measured bitterness; perceived bitterness is described in the guideline below.
Brewers Association 2026 · Printed guideline page 38 · PDF page 47. Color graphics are illustrative.
The guideline, in detail
Official style attributes, including what may be present and what should be absent.
Hop aroma & flavor
Hop aroma and flavor is very low to low, derived from noble-type hops.
Perceived bitterness
Low to medium
Body & mouthfeel
Low to medium-low
Clarity
Beer color may be too dark to perceive. When clarity is perceivable, chill haze should not be present.
Color
Very dark brown to black, with a pale-colored head.
Fermentation characteristics
Fruity esters and diacetyl should not be present.
Technical specifications, including gravity
Original Gravity (°Plato) 1.044-1.052 (11-12.9 °Plato) • Apparent Extract/Final Gravity (°Plato) 1.010- 1.015 (2.6-3.8 °Plato) • Alcohol by Weight (Volume) 3.0%-3.9% (3.8%-4.9%) • Hop Bitterness (IBU) 22-30 • Color SRM (EBC) 25-40 (50-80 EBC)