Sprecher Black Bavarian 6Pk

Sprecher Black Bavarian 6Pk is a German-style schwarzbier brewed at 5.86% ABV, available as a six-pack from Sprecher Brewing Company in Glendale, Wisconsin. This velvety dark lager earned a Gold Medal at the 2014 World Beer Cup in the German-style Schwarzbier category, besting 46 other entries — a testament to its authenticity and quality.

Quick Facts: ABV: 5.86%  |  Origin: Glendale (Milwaukee), Wisconsin  |  Style: Schwarzbier (Black Lager)  |  IBU: 32  |  Brewery: Sprecher Brewing Company

Production & Heritage

Sprecher Brewing Company, founded in Milwaukee by Randal Sprecher in 1985, was among the first craft breweries in Wisconsin. Black Bavarian is built on a complex grain bill of five malts — 2-Row Pale, Black Patent, Caramel, Chocolate, and Pale — hopped with a quartet of Cascade, Chinook, Mt. Hood, and Tettnanger varieties. The beer undergoes a full eight weeks of cold lagering in the brewery's tanks, producing a remarkably smooth and refined character that defies its inky appearance. In fact, the beer is so dark and full-bodied that it must enter U.S. brewing competitions in the robust porter category rather than as a traditional schwarzbier.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Pronounced black malt and dark-roasted coffee open first, followed by layers of cocoa and bittersweet chocolate. Underneath, subtle nut sweetness and a trace of scorched caramel add complexity.

Taste: The entry is rich with black malt and toasted grain, transitioning at mid-palate into cocoa and bittersweet chocolate. Black patent malts deliver char-like depth alongside dark chocolate and a whisper of smoke. Despite the dark malt intensity, masterful hopping keeps the body lighter and drier than the appearance suggests, landing at a balanced 32 IBUs.

Finish: Pleasingly long and velvety, with lingering notes of roasted coffee and caramel that carry between sips. The eight weeks of lagering smooth out any rough edges, leaving a clean, dry close.

How to Drink Black Bavarian

Black Bavarian is best served at 45–50°F in a tulip glass or Pilsner flute to let the roasted malt aromatics concentrate. It drinks beautifully on its own as a session-friendly dark lager. For a Black Velvet, layer it with dry sparkling wine — the chocolate notes play against the acidity. A Michelada built with Black Bavarian brings smoky depth to the tomato-lime base. It also works as a rich, roasty substitute in a Beer Float, paired with vanilla ice cream, where its coffee and caramel character shines.

Best For

• Introducing dark beer skeptics to the schwarzbier style — the light body and smooth finish defy the intimidating color
• Pairing with a backyard cookout featuring smoked meats and grilled sausages
• Gifting to a craft beer enthusiast who appreciates award-winning German-style lagers
• Cool-weather drinking sessions where a flavorful but sessionable dark lager fits the mood

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Black Bavarian taste like? Black Bavarian delivers rich dark-roasted coffee, bittersweet chocolate, and caramel flavors with a surprisingly light, dry body and a long, velvety finish thanks to eight weeks of lagering.

How does Black Bavarian compare to Capital Brewery's Fishin' in the Dark? Capital's Fishin' in the Dark is an imperial schwarzbier with higher alcohol and a bolder body, while Sprecher's Black Bavarian stays truer to traditional schwarzbier sessionability at 5.86% ABV. Black Bavarian's five-malt recipe and World Beer Cup gold medal give it a more proven pedigree in the style.

Is Black Bavarian good for beginners? Yes — despite its dark appearance, Black Bavarian is a smooth, approachable lager with modest bitterness (32 IBUs) and a manageable 5.86% ABV, making it an excellent entry point into dark beer styles.

Where is Black Bavarian made? Black Bavarian is brewed by Sprecher Brewing Company in Glendale, a suburb of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Sprecher was one of the first craft breweries established in Wisconsin, opening in 1985.

What foods pair well with Black Bavarian? Grilled bratwurst and German sausages complement the roasted malt backbone. Smoked brisket or pulled pork mirrors the beer's char-like depth. Dark chocolate desserts amplify the cocoa and coffee notes. Aged Gouda or smoked cheddar plays well against the caramel malt sweetness. Hearty mushroom dishes echo the earthy, roasted grain character.

What sizes does Black Bavarian come in? Black Bavarian is widely available in a six-pack format of 16 oz bottles; availability of other formats may vary by market.

Is Black Bavarian worth the price? Black Bavarian positions as a craft six-pack at a modest price point, and its World Beer Cup gold medal, BeerAdvocate score of 90 ("Outstanding"), and complex five-malt recipe deliver exceptional value relative to other award-winning specialty lagers.

Why Black Bavarian?

Few American-brewed schwarzbiers carry the competitive résumé of Sprecher Black Bavarian — a 2014 World Beer Cup Gold Medal, a Bronze at the 1988 Great American Beer Festival, and a Silver from The Tasting Alliance. The five-malt, four-hop recipe and a full eight weeks of cold lagering produce a beer so dark and robust it competes against porters in U.S. contests, yet drinks with the clean, dry restraint of a true German schwarzbier. With a BeerAdvocate score of 90, it stands as one of the most respected examples of the style brewed in the United States. For anyone seeking a dark lager that balances roasted complexity with genuine drinkability, this remains one of the benchmarks.