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: 697 | Reviews: 398
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.
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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
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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
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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.
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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 for 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.
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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 for 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.
808 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.
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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
4.32/5 rDev +6.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | 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-
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look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | 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
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
3.99/5 rDev -1.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Poured into a pilsener glass.
The appearance was a mostly dark brown close to black color with a finger's worth of white foamy head that slid off at a good pace. Light sliding messy lace.
The aroma had some cocoa powder, dark breads, earthy hops, dark fruits, vanilla extract and roasted graininess.
The flavor leaned into the sweetness of the prior mentioned aromas to replicate the aftertaste in the same sort of way.
The mouthfeel was almost medium bodied with a pretty good sessionability about it. Carbonation felt spot on. ABV felt as projected by the brewer - nice and light.
Overall, pretty nice Schwarzbier that I would have again.
640 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Poured into a pilsener glass.
The appearance was a mostly dark brown close to black color with a finger's worth of white foamy head that slid off at a good pace. Light sliding messy lace.
The aroma had some cocoa powder, dark breads, earthy hops, dark fruits, vanilla extract and roasted graininess.
The flavor leaned into the sweetness of the prior mentioned aromas to replicate the aftertaste in the same sort of way.
The mouthfeel was almost medium bodied with a pretty good sessionability about it. Carbonation felt spot on. ABV felt as projected by the brewer - nice and light.
Overall, pretty nice Schwarzbier that I would have again.
640 characters
3.96/5 rDev -2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
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
3.77/5 rDev -6.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.75
Poured from a 16.9 fl oz bottle into a glass mug.
Pours very dark brown, nearly black, and produces a nice foamy head that leaves some pleasant lacing on the glass.
Aroma is roasted grain.
Flavor is roasted malts accompanied by chocolate. Mild hop bitterness is balanced by a bit of sweetness.
Mouth feel is medium bodied and smooth.
I'm not usually a huge fan of lagers but this one is very good and I'm glad I picked it up.
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look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.75
Poured from a 16.9 fl oz bottle into a glass mug.
Pours very dark brown, nearly black, and produces a nice foamy head that leaves some pleasant lacing on the glass.
Aroma is roasted grain.
Flavor is roasted malts accompanied by chocolate. Mild hop bitterness is balanced by a bit of sweetness.
Mouth feel is medium bodied and smooth.
I'm not usually a huge fan of lagers but this one is very good and I'm glad I picked it up.
431 characters
4.84/5 rDev +19.8%
look: 5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
Poured from a swingtop bottle into a pint glass.
Pours a deep, dark mahogany color with two fingers of creamy khaki colored head. The head sticks around for awhile before setting into a thin film, leaving a full collar of lacing along the way. Gorgeous looking beer.
The aroma is intricate and complex, bringing notes of toffee, vanilla and dark fruits up front. The middle is nutty and slightly roasted, with plenty of dark grains, chocolate malt, and sweet dough. The back end is subtly hoppy.
The flavor is delicate and incredibly balanced. Lightly tart notes of plum and molasses, as well as sugary sweet notes of chocolate, brown sugar, and sweet doughy bread. The finish brings just enough hop character to add a faint lingering bitterness that is gone as quickly as it hits the tongue.
The feel is medium bodied with moderately high carbonation. Lightly crisp, extremely smooth, and highly drinkable.
Overall, an incredible dark lager. It's exploding with flavor while still remaining highly drinkable and refreshing. The balance in this beer is insane. Honestly, one of the best beers I've ever had, period.
1,121 characters
look: 5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
Poured from a swingtop bottle into a pint glass.
Pours a deep, dark mahogany color with two fingers of creamy khaki colored head. The head sticks around for awhile before setting into a thin film, leaving a full collar of lacing along the way. Gorgeous looking beer.
The aroma is intricate and complex, bringing notes of toffee, vanilla and dark fruits up front. The middle is nutty and slightly roasted, with plenty of dark grains, chocolate malt, and sweet dough. The back end is subtly hoppy.
The flavor is delicate and incredibly balanced. Lightly tart notes of plum and molasses, as well as sugary sweet notes of chocolate, brown sugar, and sweet doughy bread. The finish brings just enough hop character to add a faint lingering bitterness that is gone as quickly as it hits the tongue.
The feel is medium bodied with moderately high carbonation. Lightly crisp, extremely smooth, and highly drinkable.
Overall, an incredible dark lager. It's exploding with flavor while still remaining highly drinkable and refreshing. The balance in this beer is insane. Honestly, one of the best beers I've ever had, period.
1,121 characters
4.34/5 rDev +7.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Mönchshof Schwarzbier from Kulmbacher Brauerei AG
Beer rating:
4.04 out of
5 with
697 ratings
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