Beer Styles

The region's flagship beer is Pils. It originated in 1842 in Pilsen, where Bavarian brewer Josef Groll brewed the first batch on October 5, and it went on to become the standard for German breweries. Lübzer, Rostocker, and the Darguner beers all follow in this tradition. They're golden in color, topped with a firm white head, and taste dry with a light bitterness.

How much alcohol does Pils contain? According to style guidelines, between 4.4 and 5.2 percent ABV, with an original gravity of 11 to 12.4 percent. Original gravity refers to the sugar content of the wort before fermentation, and it determines how much alcohol is ultimately possible.

The second style is Schwarzbier. What is Schwarzbier? A bottom-fermented dark beer that, despite its color, tastes light-bodied and is neither sweet nor heavy. Störtebeker Braumanufaktur in Stralsund has made it one of its signature beers. The style guideline calls for 4.4 to 5.4 percent ABV and 20 to 35 IBU.

Pils and Schwarzbier differ mainly in their malt. Pils uses pale-kilned malt, contributing bread crust and honey, while Schwarzbier relies on roasted malts for notes of cocoa, coffee, and bread. Both are cold-fermented, and both finish fresh and dry. If you enjoy Pils, Schwarzbier makes for an easy gateway into dark beers.

Anyone trying Schwarzbier for the first time often expects something heavy, like a Stout. In reality, it has more in common with a dark Pils, just with a roasted edge.