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von C Brewing Co. — Philly skyline badge logo, navy banner with hop wreath and beer mug, est. 2020
Deep mahogany Midnight in the Priory Schwarzbier in a von C Brewing branded pint glass with a dense tan-cream head, taproom interior softly behind — the German dark-lager tradition on a rotating tap
Czech Dark Lager · Rotating Tap · 4.8% ABV

Midnight in the Priory

Toast, coffee, Munich malt, and a thread of dark fruit. Currently rotating on the board.

ABV
4.8%
IBU
N/A
SRM
30

Munich Malt · Dark Bread · Coffee Warmth · Schwarzbier

Tasting Notes

Czech Tmavé. Drinks Lighter Than It Looks.

The Czech dark lager is one of the most misunderstood styles in craft beer. The color suggests stout weight; the reality is a light-bodied, soft-carbonated, sessionable lager.

Toast and dark malt up front. Coffee as warmth, not bitterness. Dried plum and fig on the finish. The easiest dark beer on the list.

Currently rotating — ask the bar for what's on.

Appearance
Deep mahogany to near-black. Persistent cream head. Looks heavier than it drinks.
Aroma
Toast and dark bread. Coffee warmth, not espresso bitterness. Munich malt sweetness. Dried plum on the finish.
Flavor
Toast and bread up front. Coffee through the middle. Munich malt sweetness and dark fruit at the end. Sessionable despite its color.
Mouthfeel
Medium body — lighter than it looks. Soft carbonation from the four-week cold.
Pairings
  • Roasted pork and duck
  • Dark rye with aged cheese
  • Chocolate desserts
  • Braised short ribs
  • Mushrooms
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.

  1. 01

    Munich malt with debittered dark specialty malts. The Czech approach: dark without bitterness, complex without weight.

  2. 02

    Czech Saaz noble hops for a restrained herbal bitterness. Four weeks cold conditioning, like every lager.

The Brewlog

Brewed to spec.

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

Style
Czech Dark Lager (Cerné)
ABV
4.8%
IBU
20
SRM
30
Malt
Munich · debittered dark specialty
Hops
Czech Saaz (noble)
Conditioning
4 weeks cold lager
Status
Rotating tap — confirm before visiting
The Short Answers

About Midnight in the Priory.

How is a Czech dark lager different from a stout?
Stouts use heavily roasted malts that give bitter, espresso-like flavors. A cerné uses debittered dark malts — color and warmth without the harsh roast. Lager fermentation keeps it light-bodied. Lighter in the hand than it looks in the glass.
Always on tap?
No — it's rotating. Call (484) 231-1501 or check our socials before visiting specifically for this one.
Where does it fit in the lager lineup?
It's the dark anchor — the deep end of a flight that runs from O.G. Pils through Helles and Vienna. A side-by-side flight tells the whole story.
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Check the Board for Midnight in the Priory

Rotating tap — call (484) 231-1501 before your visit

Plan Your Visit Full Tap List