American Craft Beer’s “What the Hell” series is all about a beer’s backstory that was conceived to save all of us from the embarrassment of not knowing exactly what we’ve decided to put in our mouths.

So welcome to the latest in our ongoing series (drum roll please…) “What the Hell is a Black Lager? And don’t let its name put you off because this style of that takes darkness in a more accessible direction.

The Basics

Say Hello to the beautiful, underrated world of Black Lagers—also known as Schwarzbier, a centuries-old German beer style that’s finally getting more love from modern craft brewers.

A Black Lager is exactly what it sounds like: a lager that’s black in color. But don’t be fooled—dark doesn’t always mean heavy. These beers are fermented with the same bottom-fermenting yeast used in your favorite crisp lagers, but made with roasted malts that give them their deep brown-to-black hue.

The result? A beer that looks like it could punch you in the mouth, but actually drinks light, clean, and incredibly smooth. Think coffee, chocolate, and toasty bread notes—without the syrupy weight or alcohol heat of a stout or porter.

A Brief History

Black lagers have roots in Germany, particularly in the region of Thuringia and Saxony. The word Schwarzbier literally means “black beer,” and the style dates back as far as the Middle Ages. Despite their long history, they were largely overshadowed by paler lagers like Pilsners and Helles beers during the industrial era.

In recent years, US craft brewers have started embracing the style, attracted to its balance of rich flavor and sessionable drinkability, and the growth of interest in lagers in general

What to Expect in a Black Lager

• Color: Deep brown to jet black with ruby highlights
• ABV: Typically 4.5%–5.0%
• Flavor: Mild roast, subtle chocolate or coffee, light bitterness, crisp finish
• Mouthfeel: Clean and refreshing, often with a slight dryness

Award-Winning Examples of the Black Lager Style

• Devils Backbone Schwartz Bier (Lexington, VA)
  Great American Beer Festival Winner, Gold, 2014.
• Lobo Negro from Pedernales Brewing (Fredericksburg, TX)
  Great American Beer Festival Winner, Silver, 2014.
• Sprecher Black Bavarian (Glendale, WI)
  World Beer Cup Winner, Gold, 2014.
• Köstritzer Schwarzbier (Germany) – The classic benchmark.

Bottom Line

A Black Lager delivers dark beer vibes with a lighter lager’s soul.

In many ways Black Lagers are the antithesis of stouts and porters. They are neither as full-bodied or as strong. But because they are lagers they afford an approachability that you’d seldom find in an Imperial dark ale.

The Black Lager is  truly a dark beer for all seasons and we find it surprising they aren’t more widely brewed in the US.

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