Black Prinz or Carafa for Schwarzbier?

[azazel1024]

I need some suggestions on a Schwarzbier I am planning on brewing this weekend.

I've come up with the general recipe, but in doing some reading on Schwarzbiers, a lot of sources recommend using Carafa I/II/III with II being prefered. However, I was thinking of using Black Prinz instead. I haven't personally tried the Carafas, but in my experience with Black Prinz, it really leaves no bittering when used, which to me seems appropriate for the style, but I wanted to ask anyone who has tried either what their thoughts are (as this is my first Schwarz)?

This is the recipe I have 3 Gallon batch
2.75lbs Pilsner
2lbs Dark Munich
.5lb Crystal 60l
3oz Black Prinz
2oz Pale Chocolate
4oz oats (to add a little more body)
Mash at 150F
1.25oz Hallertau 2.7% AA 60 min
.5oz Hallertau 2.7% AA 10min
.25oz Hallertau 2.7% AA at flame out
WLP830 German lager yeast (pitching from slurry from my pilsner I'll be bottling same day)

I get 1.053OG, 1.012FG, 5.3% ABV, 24IBU and 24SRM when I punch that all in to a calc

Thoughts? A little light? Maybe an extra ounce or two of black prinz? Change up the black prinz for Carafa II? Any other suggested tweaks?

Thanks!

 

[porterpounder]

The Carafas are all great, but the Black Prinz is something special. The Carafa Special is de-husked, but the Prinz is made from a hulless barley variety, so the grain doesn't have to go through the extra processing. I find to Prinz to be cleaner. Don't get me wrong the Carafa is still great malt, but depending on the amount used there is a difference.

 

[azazel1024]

So vote for Black Prinz so that it is extra clean (my preference)? Thanks!

 

[fantomlord]

What are you trying to get out of the Black Prinz or Carafa? I went with Carafa III (actually, de-bittered black) in my last Schwarzbier, and was very happy with the results. I'd maybe consider cutting back a bit on the C60, and would probalby drop the oats.

Otherwise, it looks pretty good.

 

[Beernik]

The last attempt at my schwarzbock, I used 4oz Carafa II, 3oz of Carafa III, and 2oz of chocolate malt.

It was just a touch roasty. Next time I'll knock the Carafa III down to 1oz and adjust the Carafa II up to get my desired SRM.

 

[azazel1024]

Okay, I am going to shoot for 4oz carafa II, 3oz pale chocolate, a quarter pound of 60L, drop the oats and up the Pilsner to 3lb and dark munich to 2.25lbs.

Thanks all. We'll see what results.