Mönchshof Schwarzbier | Kulmbacher Brauerei AG
Brewed by:
Kulmbacher Brauerei AG
Germany
kulmbacher.de
Style: German Schwarzbier
Alcohol by volume (ABV): 4.90%
Availability: Year-round
Notes / Commercial Description:
No notes at this time.
Added by Todd on 03-19-2002
HISTOGRAM
View: Beers
Ratings: 706 | Reviews: 400
4.49/5 rDev +11.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Coming out of the bottle it looks clear. However, in the glass it looks like a muddy and murky dark brown color. An aggressive pour yields a huge frothy head that displays excellent retention and lacing.
Aromas open with chocolate malt sweetness. Notes of dark toasted malts, nutty, biscuity as well as a light roast. A light tanginess and lemon zest from the dark malts and earthy hops.
Clean flavor with muted chocolate sweetness. Very toasty along with a touch of roasted malts. Earthy hops flavors add a modest and balancing bitterness. Rustic and woodsy flavors. A touch of lemon imparts a light acidity, perhaps from the dark malts.
Medium to full bodied with a gentle carbonation. Very smooth mouthfeel with a rich and round malt forward flavor. The finish is lightly tart and dry.
A wonderful Schwarzbier, perhaps the best I’ve ever had.
850 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Coming out of the bottle it looks clear. However, in the glass it looks like a muddy and murky dark brown color. An aggressive pour yields a huge frothy head that displays excellent retention and lacing.
Aromas open with chocolate malt sweetness. Notes of dark toasted malts, nutty, biscuity as well as a light roast. A light tanginess and lemon zest from the dark malts and earthy hops.
Clean flavor with muted chocolate sweetness. Very toasty along with a touch of roasted malts. Earthy hops flavors add a modest and balancing bitterness. Rustic and woodsy flavors. A touch of lemon imparts a light acidity, perhaps from the dark malts.
Medium to full bodied with a gentle carbonation. Very smooth mouthfeel with a rich and round malt forward flavor. The finish is lightly tart and dry.
A wonderful Schwarzbier, perhaps the best I’ve ever had.
850 characters
3.78/5 rDev -6.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
There's something about these black lagers that keeps bringing me back...
...and in the case of this brewer's schwarzbier, it is the overall full-bodied flavor this gives. I tell you what, though it wasn't much to smell, it was beautifully black and it was full-bodied to the mouth. There was a watery background to it, but easily overlooked. The taste was malty, dry as advertised, and has a clean finish, which I have an appreciation for. This was definitely a savory offering of the style and one that I would be very glad to bring along to any holiday party this season...
581 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
There's something about these black lagers that keeps bringing me back...
...and in the case of this brewer's schwarzbier, it is the overall full-bodied flavor this gives. I tell you what, though it wasn't much to smell, it was beautifully black and it was full-bodied to the mouth. There was a watery background to it, but easily overlooked. The taste was malty, dry as advertised, and has a clean finish, which I have an appreciation for. This was definitely a savory offering of the style and one that I would be very glad to bring along to any holiday party this season...
581 characters
4.23/5 rDev +4.7%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Somewhat sweet as the style demands. A great dark session beer. Cost aside :)
77 characters
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Somewhat sweet as the style demands. A great dark session beer. Cost aside :)
77 characters
3.74/5 rDev -7.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
3.6/5 rDev -10.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
4.18/5 rDev +3.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
5/5 rDev +23.8%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
A classic benchmark schwarzbier, from first mouthful, swallow and afterglow. Tasty rich dark black beer.
104 characters
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
A classic benchmark schwarzbier, from first mouthful, swallow and afterglow. Tasty rich dark black beer.
104 characters
4.19/5 rDev +3.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25
A dark and roasted schwarzbier, with a surprising combination of sweet fruit and chocolate flavors. Smoke is present through out, especially in the nose. Does well to stay true to style bitterness without sacrificing any other favors that make this one stand out
264 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25
A dark and roasted schwarzbier, with a surprising combination of sweet fruit and chocolate flavors. Smoke is present through out, especially in the nose. Does well to stay true to style bitterness without sacrificing any other favors that make this one stand out
264 characters
4.06/5 rDev +0.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
4.54/5 rDev +12.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
4.25/5 rDev +5.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.44/5 rDev +9.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Pours a dark blackish tinged brown color. Two finger tan colored head dissipates slowly leaving a thin layer of velvety foam on top of the beer. Velvety lacing covers the side of the beer as its consumed. Overall its a lovely looking beer.
Aroma has strong bread, toasted bread, and grain notes - the malts in this are front and center. Notes of floral hops, hints of cocoa and an earthy nuttiness. This beer doesn't punch you in the face with its aroma, but to the discerning drinker the depth and complexity here is impressive.
Taste follows the nose with notes of dark bread, toasted malts, grain and some light cocoa notes. Hops are noticeable and provide a gentle floral aspect to the flavor profile. The hops have just a hint of bitterness, but its barely noticeable. No out of balance sweetness .
Feel is medium to full bodied, smooth and well integrated. Moderately carbonated. Semi-dry finish.
Overall, as Schwarzbiers go, this is the best I've had. The complexity of the flavors is quite impressive. I'll drink this one any day.
1,045 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Pours a dark blackish tinged brown color. Two finger tan colored head dissipates slowly leaving a thin layer of velvety foam on top of the beer. Velvety lacing covers the side of the beer as its consumed. Overall its a lovely looking beer.
Aroma has strong bread, toasted bread, and grain notes - the malts in this are front and center. Notes of floral hops, hints of cocoa and an earthy nuttiness. This beer doesn't punch you in the face with its aroma, but to the discerning drinker the depth and complexity here is impressive.
Taste follows the nose with notes of dark bread, toasted malts, grain and some light cocoa notes. Hops are noticeable and provide a gentle floral aspect to the flavor profile. The hops have just a hint of bitterness, but its barely noticeable. No out of balance sweetness .
Feel is medium to full bodied, smooth and well integrated. Moderately carbonated. Semi-dry finish.
Overall, as Schwarzbiers go, this is the best I've had. The complexity of the flavors is quite impressive. I'll drink this one any day.
1,045 characters
4.5/5 rDev +11.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Best 'Schwarzes' I had the chance to get my hands on yet. By far the best on the German Schwarzbier market. Its all around at shops and supermarkets in Germany and comes at a low price regarding its quality.
It's my go-to after work beer, all year round.
*Look: dark brown with little foam. I 'd like it a little more blackish, but still 4.5/5.
*Smell: complex and very tasty for me. I think I can smell a roasty flavor of dark-bread, chocolate and biscuits. Maybe some nuts or almond, idk ;) 4.5/5
*Taste: Unbelievably balanced, while being rich and complex in all aspects. Hops flavors are quite subtle, while being noticeable and bitter enough to balance out the malty sweetness in the foreground. Never not drinkable. Damn Brilliant! 4.5/5
*Overall: Its the second best beer I ever came to try yet. 4.5/5.
814 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Best 'Schwarzes' I had the chance to get my hands on yet. By far the best on the German Schwarzbier market. Its all around at shops and supermarkets in Germany and comes at a low price regarding its quality.
It's my go-to after work beer, all year round.
*Look: dark brown with little foam. I 'd like it a little more blackish, but still 4.5/5.
*Smell: complex and very tasty for me. I think I can smell a roasty flavor of dark-bread, chocolate and biscuits. Maybe some nuts or almond, idk ;) 4.5/5
*Taste: Unbelievably balanced, while being rich and complex in all aspects. Hops flavors are quite subtle, while being noticeable and bitter enough to balance out the malty sweetness in the foreground. Never not drinkable. Damn Brilliant! 4.5/5
*Overall: Its the second best beer I ever came to try yet. 4.5/5.
814 characters
4.2/5 rDev +4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
The set up: Poured from a 500ml bottle into a Krombacher flute glass
The look: The beer pours a dark brown/almost black color with a one finger foam head that dissipates but maintains a decent amount of lacing on the glass as the beer is consumed.
The smell: I detect quite a bit of roasted grains/roasted malts with perhaps some cocoa mixed in. A very pleasant aroma!
The taste: The taste is much like the smell/aroma but nothing is overpowering or mutes anything out. A very balanced and great tasting beer.
Mouth-feel: Light to almost medium mouthfeel with moderate carbonation. No taste of "booze" and a very smooth session type beer. Drink ability is very easy even though the beer is dark in color.
Overall: I've long been consuming this beer but figured it was time for a review. This Schwarzbier is a good benchmark for the style and is very solid across the board. Despite its dark color, it is very drinkable and one could say it could be a good session beer. This is a beer that I continually revisit and am pleased each time.
1,044 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
The set up: Poured from a 500ml bottle into a Krombacher flute glass
The look: The beer pours a dark brown/almost black color with a one finger foam head that dissipates but maintains a decent amount of lacing on the glass as the beer is consumed.
The smell: I detect quite a bit of roasted grains/roasted malts with perhaps some cocoa mixed in. A very pleasant aroma!
The taste: The taste is much like the smell/aroma but nothing is overpowering or mutes anything out. A very balanced and great tasting beer.
Mouth-feel: Light to almost medium mouthfeel with moderate carbonation. No taste of "booze" and a very smooth session type beer. Drink ability is very easy even though the beer is dark in color.
Overall: I've long been consuming this beer but figured it was time for a review. This Schwarzbier is a good benchmark for the style and is very solid across the board. Despite its dark color, it is very drinkable and one could say it could be a good session beer. This is a beer that I continually revisit and am pleased each time.
1,044 characters
3.97/5 rDev -1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
3.93/5 rDev -2.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
4.36/5 rDev +7.9%
look: 4.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.75
Out of all the schwarzbiers that I have had this one is up their with the elites, even the late great beer reviewer Michael Jackson liked this beer. This black lager tastes outstanding. It's rich roasted malts with some pumpernickel bread on the backend. Cheers! A-
265 characters
look: 4.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.75
Out of all the schwarzbiers that I have had this one is up their with the elites, even the late great beer reviewer Michael Jackson liked this beer. This black lager tastes outstanding. It's rich roasted malts with some pumpernickel bread on the backend. Cheers! A-
265 characters
3.75/5 rDev -7.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
4.43/5 rDev +9.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Mönchshof Schwarzbier from Kulmbacher Brauerei AG
Beer rating:
4.04 out of
5 with
706 ratings
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