If you think all dark beers are heavy, sweet, or ready to punch you in the mouth with roasted malt, let’s reset those expectations. From the 15th pick, the Jar of Destiny handed us a Schwarzbier, which is style 8B in the 2015 BJCP guidelines.

Schwarzbier, or “black beer,” is dark and mysterious, but smooth, clean, and sneaky drinkable. Mike did his research and this dark beauty.

Jar of Destiny Schwarzbier Recipe

Mike’s goal was to nail the spirit of a German Schwarzbier, which is essentially a Pilsner in disguise. The trick? Get the color without tripping into roasty stout territory.

This recipe is for a 3.5 gallon batch.

Water:
Favoring sulfate over chloride for crispness.

Grain Bill:
68% Bohemian Pilsner malt (floor-malted for more character)
20% Light Munich malt
5% Carapils
2% Melanoidin malt
2% Carafa Special III (dehusked for less roast)
2% Blackprinz (American dehusked black malt for color boost)

Hops:
8g Nugget hops, boiled for 60 minutes
2 oz Hersbrucker hops, boiled for 15 minutes

Yeast:
Cellar Science German Lager (3470 Weihenstephan strain), direct pitched onto a healthy yeast cake.

Mash:
Step mash: 10 min @ 135°F, 50 min @ 142°F, ramp to 168°F to finish.

Fermentation:
It was quick and clean. took off within 6 hours, mostly finished in 3.5 days at 65–67°F. With this yeast strain, there is no need for a marathon lagering session.

Stats:
Original Gravity: 1.048
Final Gravity: 1.011
ABV: 4.8%

Mike improvised with Blackprinz to nail the color and stuck with a classic yeast to keep it crisp. He went for a highly fermentable wort, aiming for drinkability over chewiness. Result? Spot on.

More Than Meets The Eye

This Schwarzbier pours a deep brown, not jet black, with hints of red in the right light. On the nose, we get subtle malt and a whisper of floral from the Hersbrucker. It has no heavy roast or caramel. It certainly had no sticky sweetness. The first sip is dangerously drinkable, lighter-bodied than you’d expect for the color. It has just a touch of roast and a slightly crackery finish.

Honestly, if you closed your eyes, you might mistake it for a Pilsner with a little attitude. This is not a one-and-done pint; it’s the kind of beer you’ll want two or three of.

Mike’s final verdict? “I probably wouldn’t have picked this style on my own, but I’m really glad the Jar tossed it my way.”

We gave it high marks all around. If you’re a homebrewer who’s skeptical about lagers or dark beers, give this one a spin. You just might end up with a new favorite.

BREW ON!

Links To The Jar of Destiny Series Results
Check out the British Strong Ale post
Check out the Black IPA post
Check out the International Amber Lager post
Check out the Belgian Tripel post
Check out the Double IPA post
Check out the Kölsch post
Check out the English IPA post
Check out the Wood-Aged Beer post
Check out the Belgian Golden Strong Ale post
Check out the American Amber Ale post
Check out the German Pils post
Check out the Brett Beer post
Check out the Munich Helles post
Check out the Imperial Stout post
Check out the Foreign Extra Stout post
Check out the Belgian IPA post
Check out the Eisbock post
Check out the Czech Dark Lager post
Check out the California Common post
Check out the American Light Lager post
Check out the Pale Kellerbier post
Check out the Belgian Pale Ale post
Check out the Trappist Single post
Check out the Classic Style Smoked Beer post
Check out the Czech Amber Lager post
Check out the Gueuze post
Check out the Irish Stout post
Check out the Tropical Stout post
Check out the Schwarzbier post
Check out the American Wheat Beer post