These Czech Dark Lagers are frequently overshadowed by their far more famous, and due to American brewing excess, often maligned light Pilsner cousins. Tmavé Pivo quite literally means "Dark Beer" in Czech. It is also sometimes referred to as Černé Pivo, or Černé Ležák. A little different in that sometimes it's assumed it is a Lager so translates too: "Black Beer, or Black Lager". This beer shares much of it's brewing style and grain bill with Bavarian Dark Lagers, but was being brewed in actuality long before those styles were invented. It is truly one of the lost gems of Central European brewing history. While Pilsner took the world by storm and became what most Americans to this day consider "Beer", Tmavé Pivo and it's cohorts were ignored and only came to the attention of American Craft Beer purists in the last few decades. It is really quite difficult to describe the flavor profile. It is light, yet full and malty all at the same time while the opaque blackness gives it that dark roasted tone. One of the brewmasters' favorites. It ranks in the same category as the "Bocks" (Dopple & Mai) for Glengarry esteem. Grain Bill and Infusion instructions follow.
Grain Bill:
- 6 lbs. Bohemian Pilsner
- 3.5 lbs. Bohemian (or Bavarian) Dark Malt
- 1.5 lbs. CaraMunich II
- 0.5 lbs. Carafa II
- 0.25 lbs. Carafa Special Dark II
Hops:
- 1 oz Sterling @ start of boil
- 1 oz Czech Saaz @ 5 mins remaining
Yeast:
- White Labs WLP800 Pilsner Lager, w/ starter
Infusion Process:
- 15 min rest @ 125 degrees F
- 30 min rest @ 145 degrees F, transfer 1/3 of wort to boil, return
- 20 min rest @ 160 degrees F, transfer 1/3 of wort to boil, return and mash out.
- 60 min boil
Fermentation:
- 21 days @ ~45 degrees F
- rack off for 4 -5 weeks of Lager @ ~40 degrees F
OG: ~1.050
FG: ~1.029
ABV: ~ 7.1%