Dark, rich, and flavourful, the Schwarzbier stands as a testament to the mastery of German brewers in crafting well-balanced beers that delight the senses.
What is a Schwarzbier?
Schwarzbier translates to "black beer" in German and is a style renowned for its dark, almost black colour and complex flavour profile. Originating in the regions of Thuringia and Saxony in Germany, Schwarzbier dates as far back as the Middle Ages. Despite its dark appearance, the Schwarzbier is clean, crisp, remarkably smooth, and approachable, making it a favourite among both beer enthusiasts and newcomers.
Tasting Notes
One of the defining characteristics of Schwarzbier is the balance of roasted malt sweetness with a clean, crisp finish, which is what you can expect with the latest Orbit Beers White Label Series Special. Expect smooth roasted malts alongside a moderate herbal hop bitterness and flavours of dark chocolate, roasted coffee, and a residual dark caramel sweetness. Dark in colour and light in body; this beer has rich, warming characteristics with deceptively easy drinkability and a refreshing lightness that sets it apart from heavier stouts and porters.
Brewing Process
To create this unusual style, our Brewers start with a base of high-quality malts: Lager Malt, BEST Munich, and Carafa Special Type III, which undergoes a roasting process to develop its characteristic dark colour and rich flavour profile. Tettnang hops are added to provide a subtle bitterness that balances the sweetness of the malt. The beer is then top-fermented with our house Kölsch yeast at cool temperatures resulting in a clean, crisp finish that epitomizes this classic German beer style. These days, Schwarzbiers tend to be fermented with lager yeast but that wasn’t always the case, so we've travelled further back in history to take inspiration for this recipe.
Food Pairings
Schwarzbier's versatility extends to food pairings as well. Its robust malt backbone complements savoury dishes such as sausages and roasted meats, while its crisp finish helps to cleanse the palate between bites. For dessert, pair a Schwarzbier with something rich like chocolate cake or creamy tiramisu.
