Black Abyss Schwarzbier Dark German Lager - 5 Gallon All Grain Beer Recipe Kit
Regular price
$52.98
Brew a crisp, clean Schwarzbier with smooth roast character and deep dark color, balanced by subtle Hallertau Mittelfruh noble hop notes.
Makes 5 gallons of Black Abyss Schwarzbier
All-grain recipe designed for brewers with an all-grain system
Ready to drink in about 4 weeks
Traditional German dark lager with smooth roast character and clean finish
The driest, and the crispest finish
A schwarzbier should drink far lighter than its color suggests, and attenuation is how you get there. 34/70 finishes drier than anything else here with very few esters, which keeps the Chocolate and Roasted Barley from settling heavy. It is also the most forgiving lager strain on this dropdown.
Ferment at 54-64°F
Attenuation 80-84%
Flocculation High
The classic dry lager
Softer, rounder, more Czech
Urkel leaves more malt sweetness against the Chocolate and Roasted Barley, which makes this a rounder Czech style dark lager rather than a lean German one. Expect noticeable sulfur while it ferments. It clears as the beer conditions in the cold.
Ferment at 52-58°F
Attenuation 71-75%
Flocculation Medium
Balanced, soft, Czech
The Hallertau gets through the dark malt
The classic German lager strain, and the historically correct answer for a schwarzbier. It ferments clean through the finish and brings hop character forward, so the Hallertau Mittelfruh shows rather than disappearing under all that dark grain. It wants a properly cold fermentation.
Ferment at 50-55°F
Attenuation 74-79%
Flocculation Medium
Crisp, clean, classic
Munich malt character, front and center
This one comes from the oldest operating brewery in Munich, and it finishes fuller than anything else here, which is where its distinct malty sweetness comes from. It works in a very narrow, very cold window.
Ferment at 48-52°F
Attenuation 68-72%
Flocculation Medium
Malty and clean
A dark lager ready in days
Run Lutra warm and fermentation is clean, crisp and finished in a few days with no cold conditioning. It lands well toward the dry end of this dropdown, and since a schwarzbier is meant to drink lighter than it looks, that works with the style rather than against it.
Ferment at 54-95°F
Attenuation 74-80%
Flocculation Medium-High
Clean, fast, no fridge
✅ Beginner-friendly with step-by-step brewing support
Flavor Profile & Beer Style
The Black Abyss Schwarzbier is a smooth, crisp dark lager with refined roast character and a clean, dry finish. Schwarzbier, meaning "black beer" in German, is a traditional dark lager known for its drinkability and balance. Unlike stout, it delivers roasted depth without heaviness or harsh bitterness. This recipe highlights smooth roasted barley and chocolate malt character layered over a clean Pilsen malt base. Hallertau Mittelfruh hops provide mild bitterness with subtle woody, herbal, and noble hop notes that keep the beer balanced and refreshing. With moderate bitterness and a lighter body than a Dunkel, this lager remains highly drinkable despite its deep brown to black color. When properly lagered, the beer finishes crisp and clean with smooth roast complexity.
What’s Included in the Recipe Kit
This 5-gallon Black Abyss Schwarzbier Beer Recipe Kit includes:
Briess Pilsen Base Malt
Briess Chocolate Malt
Briess Blackprinz
Briess Roasted Barley
Hallertau Mittelfruh Hops (bittering)
Hallertau Mittelfruh Hops (flavor and aroma)
Your choice of dry yeast or liquid yeast
Step-by-step brewing instructions
Note: You will need a 5-gallon all-grain brewing system. Brewing equipment is not included.
How the Brewing Process Works
Brewing 5 gallons of Schwarzbier is straightforward for brewers with a complete all-grain brewing system:
Mash: Convert grain starches into fermentable sugars for a clean, dry lager base.
Sparge: Rinse the grains to collect sweet wort.
Boil: Add Hallertau Mittelfruh hops for bittering, flavor, and aroma at timed intervals for balanced noble hop character.
Ferment: Ferment with lager yeast at controlled temperatures (50-55°F) until clean and fully attenuated.
Enjoy: Ready to drink in about 4 weeks from brew day to glass.
This all-grain Black Abyss Schwarzbier delivers a refined, traditional dark German lager with smooth roast character, clean lager crispness, and exceptional drinkability in every pour."
New to Liquid Yeast?
Liquid yeast can deliver excellent fermentation performance and a wider range of strain options, but it’s a living, perishable product that requires a little extra care.
Liquid yeast may arrive warm. Ice packs help reduce heat exposure but do not guarantee cold arrival.
Refrigerate it when received and plan to brew as soon as possible.
We recommend adding an insulated mailer + ice pack to liquid yeast orders.
During May–September, dry yeast is strongly recommended due to higher shipping temperatures.
Liquid yeast is final sale and cannot be replaced due to heat exposure during transit.
This batch is perfect for sharing with friends, pouring a smooth, crisp dark lager at your next gathering or cookout.
Schwarzbier Specs
Batch Size: 5 gallons
Style: Schwarzbier (Dark German Lager)
ABV: ~5.6%
Original Gravity: 1.054
Bitterness: Low
Color: Deep brown to black
Recommended Dry Yeast: German Lager yeast (Saflager W-34/70)
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Black Abyss Schwarzbier Dark German Lager - 5 Gallon All Grain Beer Recipe Kit
From $33.00
What You'll Brew
Black Abyss Schwarzbier (Dark German Lager)
A crisp, clean black lager layered with smooth roasted malt and subtle chocolate notes. Expect a dry, refreshing finish supported by noble Hallertau hops that provide balanced bitterness without sharpness.
Brewed at approximately 5.6% ABV, this full 5-gallon batch delivers dark color and malt complexity while remaining light-bodied and highly drinkable.
What's Inside the Black Abyss Schwarzbier Dark German Lager - 5 Gallon All Grain Beer Recipe Kit
This 5-gallon Black Abyss Schwarzbier Beer Recipe Kit includes:
Briess Pilsen Base Malt
Briess Chocolate Malt
Briess Blackprinz
Briess Roasted Barley
Hallertau Mittelfruh Hops (bittering)
Hallertau Mittelfruh Hops (flavor and aroma)
Your choice of dry yeast or liquid yeast
Step-by-step brewing instructions
Note: You will need a 5-gallon all-grain brewing system. Brewing equipment is not included.
Make Your Next Batch with the Schwarzbier Beer Recipe Kit
Already have your own fermenter? For your next brew day, make your own Schwarzbier Dark German Lager Beer with this ingredient refill. Wondering how to make Schwarzbier Dark German Lager Beer the traditional way? Our instructions will help first-time lager brewers make a DIY Schwarzbier Dark German Lager Beer that pours smooth and clean.
Easy Steps to Making Schwarzbier Beer
Brewing 5 gallons of Black Abyss Schwarzbier is a rewarding process that highlights smooth roasted malt character and clean lager fermentation. Our step-by-step instructions guide you through brew day, fermentation, and packaging, helping you achieve a crisp, balanced dark lager with refined drinkability.
Make Your Beer Look As Good As It Tastes.
You brewed something worth showing off. Starting at $4.99, give your bottles the finishing touch with our beer labels. Perfect for sharing your latest batch, gifting a few, or stocking your fridge with pride.
Before
After
Looking For Instructions?
Every all-grain kit comes with instructions to guide you through the brew day, fermentation and beyond. We provide recipe-specific tips tailored to your exact recipe, including mash temperature, fermentation timelines and more.
Does the Black Abyss Schwarzbier 5 Gallon Beer Recipe Kit include brewing equipment?
No. This is a recipe kit that includes all the ingredients and instructions you need to brew. You will need a 5-gallon all-grain brewing system, including a mash tun, brew kettle, fermenter, and bottling equipment.
Is this a stout or a lager?
This is a traditional German lager. Unlike stout, it has a cleaner fermentation profile and a lighter body with smooth roast character. Despite its dark color, Schwarzbier is medium-light bodied and highly drinkable with a crisp finish.
What fermentation temperature is recommended?
Lager yeast performs best between 50-55°F for clean, traditional character. Proper temperature control enhances the beer's clean profile and crisp finish. If you cannot maintain lager temperatures, consider using a Kveik yeast strain as an alternative.
How long does it take to brew?
Brew day takes about 4-6 hours, including mashing, sparging, boiling, and cleanup. After that, the beer ferments for about 2 weeks, followed by about 2 weeks of bottle conditioning. Total time from brew day to glass is about 4 weeks.
Is this recipe kit beginner-friendly?
This kit is designed for brewers with all-grain experience and equipment. Lager brewing also requires temperature control during fermentation. If you are new to brewing, we recommend starting with one of our extract recipe kits, which require less equipment and a simpler process. Once you are comfortable with extract brewing, you can move up to all-grain.
Can I brew this year-round?
Yes. Schwarzbier is a versatile style that can be brewed and enjoyed year-round. Its smooth, refreshing character makes it a great choice for any season, from summer cookouts to winter gatherings. As long as you can maintain proper lager fermentation temperatures, you can brew this beer any time of year.
Not an All-Grain Brewer? Try the Extract Schwarzbier 5 Gallon Beer Recipe Kit
Our dry malt extract version of this recipe gives you the same classic Schwarzbier flavor with a simpler process. Perfect if you’re just starting out or want a quicker brew.
