Chalkboard tap list at von C Brewing Co. in Norristown PA showing the rotating lineup of Czech and German lagers and hop-forward ales, live acoustic performance happening under the boards

Czech Tmavé (Dark Lager) · 5.9% ABV

Černé Speciál

Toast, coffee, Munich malt, and a long thread of dark fruit. The dark Czech lager tradition, done at strength.

ABV: 5.9%
IBU: N/A
SRM: 32

Czech Tmavé · Munich Malt · Dark Fruit · Coffee Warmth

Tasting Notes

The Real Czech Tmavé. Best-Rated Pour on the Board.

Černé Speciál is the Czech dark lager played at strength. Tmavé (the Czech word for dark) gets its own category in Czech tradition — and at speciální strength (12° Plato +) it's the deepest example of the style.

Currently the highest-rated pour on the von C board at 4.02 on Untappd — the dark Czech lager program made visible.

If Midnight in the Priory is the German Schwarzbier lane, Černé Speciál is the Czech tmavé lane right beside it. Order both and taste the difference.

Appearance: Deep mahogany, near-black at the center. Dense tan-cream head.
Aroma: Toast and dark bread. Coffee warmth. Munich malt sweetness. Dried plum.
Flavor: Layered Munich malt up front, coffee in the middle without the bitter espresso note, dark fruit lingering on the finish. The strength carries it without weight.
Mouthfeel: Medium-to-full body. Soft carbonation from the four-week cold conditioning. Clean dry finish.
Pairings: Roast pork
Smoked sausage and rye
Aged gouda
Dark chocolate desserts
Mushroom dishes

Stainless-steel fermentation tanks lined along the back wall of the von C Brewing Co. brewhouse in Norristown PA — bar stools at the foot of the tanks, polished concrete floor reflecting the warm overhead work lights, the place every batch of every beer on the tap list passes through

Process

How it gets to the glass.

01
Munich malt with debittered dark specialty malts — the Czech approach to dark lager: complexity without harsh roast.
02
Saaz noble hops for restrained herbal bitterness. Four weeks cold conditioning to round the malt out.

The Brewlog

Brewed to spec.

Every batch passes through the same sequence. Nothing leaves the tank early.

Style: Czech Tmavé (Dark Lager Speciální)
ABV: 5.9%
SRM: 32
Malt: Munich · debittered dark specialty
Hops: Saaz (Czech noble)
Conditioning: 4 weeks cold lager
Untappd: 4.02 · 107 ratings (highest current pour)

The Short Answers

About Černé Speciál.

What is Czech Tmavé?

Tmavé (TUH-mah-veh) is the Czech word for dark, and Czech dark lager is its own tradition — distinct from the German Schwarzbier on the same tap list. The Czech approach uses debittered dark malts for color and warmth without the harsh roast of a stout. Speciální means it's brewed at 12°+ Plato — the deep end of the style.

How does it compare to Midnight in the Priory?

Midnight is a German Schwarzbier at 4.8%. Černé Speciál is the Czech tmavé tradition at 5.9% — fuller body, longer finish, more dark-fruit depth. Order both side-by-side and the styles speak for themselves.

On tap right now?

Yes — Černé Speciál is the highest-rated current pour. Call (484) 231-1501 to confirm before a special trip.

From the Same Tap List