Mönchshof Schwarzbier
Kulmbacher Brauerei
- From:
- Kulmbacher Brauerei
- Germany
- Style:
- Schwarzbier
Ranked #15 - ABV:
- 4.9%
- Score:
- 90
Ranked #12,047 - Avg:
- 4.03 | pDev: 11.17%
- Ratings:
- | reviews: 410
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- Mar 28, 2025
- Added:
- Mar 19, 2002
- Wants:
- 114
- Gots:
- 80
SCORE
90
Outstanding
90
Outstanding
With an irresistible, flowery hop bitterness that sets it apart from all others, Mönchshof Schwarzbier is relatively light in body – but bursting with character. Its dark, roasted, slightly chocolatey and warming palate is astounding for such a refreshing and drinkable beer. The hearty taste and seductive burt sienna color come from the deep-roasted barley used in every batch.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by EatonHops:
Rated by EatonHops from Massachusetts
4/5 rDev -0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Sep 26, 2020
4/5 rDev -0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Sep 26, 2020
More User Ratings:
Reviewed by Sinfull from New York
3.8/5 rDev -5.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
3.8/5 rDev -5.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Black color, good creamy head. Aroma of roasted malt and bread. Sweet taste with the same roasted notes and a hint of coffee and dark fruits. A nice one.
Mar 28, 2025
Reviewed by DraftMonger from Denmark
3.38/5 rDev -16.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 3.5
3.38/5 rDev -16.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 3.5
Copenhagen 19/3 2023. 50 cl bottle with a swing cap brought home from a border shop by my in-laws. A musty interior of an brewhouse on the label.
Pours unclear maroon with a big fluffy off-white head. Stable. Settles as 1,5 cm thick layer of foam covering the surface of the beer. Substantial lacing.
Aroma is fairly intense with a sweet odor of dark malts mingling with a sourish scent of grains. Caramel, toffee, biscuits and a hint of brown sugar. Citrus and harsh grains.
Low carbonation. Thin, oily, soft, flat texture.
Flavor is medium intense with a strong sweetness followed by a moderately strong bitterness. Aftertaste is sweet. Lingers for a bit. Finish is sweet toffee.
Solid, but very much on the sweet side.
Jan 01, 2025Pours unclear maroon with a big fluffy off-white head. Stable. Settles as 1,5 cm thick layer of foam covering the surface of the beer. Substantial lacing.
Aroma is fairly intense with a sweet odor of dark malts mingling with a sourish scent of grains. Caramel, toffee, biscuits and a hint of brown sugar. Citrus and harsh grains.
Low carbonation. Thin, oily, soft, flat texture.
Flavor is medium intense with a strong sweetness followed by a moderately strong bitterness. Aftertaste is sweet. Lingers for a bit. Finish is sweet toffee.
Solid, but very much on the sweet side.
Reviewed by ironprog from Florida
3.48/5 rDev -13.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3
3.48/5 rDev -13.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3
Note: I am in the process of moving all of my ratings from other beer sites to here, so that all of my ratings are consolidated in one place. The review below is an exact copy of my original RateBeer review from 02/02/2018.
1 pint, .9 fl. oz. bottle.
AROMA: It smells sweet and has aromas of black licorice.
APPEARANCE: It pours an opaque black with a tan, frothy head that dissipates slowly.
TASTE: Medium sweet with hints of roasted malt and coffee.
PALATE: Full-bodied with a creamy texture and average carbonation.
OVERALL: It's a nicely balanced beer. I just wish it had a little more something unique to make it stand out from the other beers. As it is now, I would happily drink this all day long, yet I would be unable to pick it out of a line up.
Jun 14, 20241 pint, .9 fl. oz. bottle.
AROMA: It smells sweet and has aromas of black licorice.
APPEARANCE: It pours an opaque black with a tan, frothy head that dissipates slowly.
TASTE: Medium sweet with hints of roasted malt and coffee.
PALATE: Full-bodied with a creamy texture and average carbonation.
OVERALL: It's a nicely balanced beer. I just wish it had a little more something unique to make it stand out from the other beers. As it is now, I would happily drink this all day long, yet I would be unable to pick it out of a line up.
Reviewed by Gatch from Massachusetts
4.38/5 rDev +8.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
4.38/5 rDev +8.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
Been looking for this one for my entire time in Germany as it's one of my favorite styles but the particular style from this brewery isn't commonly available where I live. This, along with many other beers from this brewery, were at the huge liquor store north of Stuttgart in Kornwestheim. e0,5l swing-top bottle dated 31.05.24. I've been drinking more Munich Dunkels than Schwarzbiers lately and I forgot how different they are. Super chocolatey and malty, more like a porter compared to a Dunkel. That rich aroma and flavor of charred malt, rich earth, sweet yet bitter dark chocolate. Stays consistent throughout and finishes so smoothly. Great body and feel without being heavy, the classic light lager body. Truly great, I can see why it's ranked so highly.
Feb 27, 2024
Reviewed by AzfromOz from Australia
4.05/5 rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
4.05/5 rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
I drank this at the Holmernhof Camping & Mehr in Germany, on an overnight stop between Pilsen and Salzburg in September 2023.
L: Dark, muddy, rusty brown with a frothy coffee-coloured head. Carbonation can be seen rushing up the glass.
S: The nose is black bread, dried red fruits and caramel malt. There's also a touch of cola and molasses.
T: The molasses and black bread come to the fore in the mouth. There's also cherry and blackcurrant. The finish is very dry.
M: Mouthfeel is full and creamy, and carbonation is mild, but the finish is a little thin and abrupt.
O: This is a very nice beer, let down a little bit by a thin, abrupt finish that probably cost it a quarter mark.
Cheers!
#392
Dec 13, 2023L: Dark, muddy, rusty brown with a frothy coffee-coloured head. Carbonation can be seen rushing up the glass.
S: The nose is black bread, dried red fruits and caramel malt. There's also a touch of cola and molasses.
T: The molasses and black bread come to the fore in the mouth. There's also cherry and blackcurrant. The finish is very dry.
M: Mouthfeel is full and creamy, and carbonation is mild, but the finish is a little thin and abrupt.
O: This is a very nice beer, let down a little bit by a thin, abrupt finish that probably cost it a quarter mark.
Cheers!
#392
Rated by Vlad11 from England
4/5 rDev -0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
4/5 rDev -0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
caffe mocha, cream, bready notes, a hint of fruits and chocolate, medium body, ends abruptly not much bitterness. very nice. complex.
Sep 27, 2023
Reviewed by Sigmund from Norway
3.3/5 rDev -18.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
3.3/5 rDev -18.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
Feb. 2002: Sure it's black - but I'd go for any Irish or Imperial Stout instead, any time. Disappointing lack of flavour and "bite". Of course it's drinkable, but I expected more.
Oct 22, 2022
Reviewed by Jeez from Massachusetts
4.29/5 rDev +6.5%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
4.29/5 rDev +6.5%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
It pours dark brown with a light brown head. Smells absolutely delectable with toasted malt and sweet vanilla over a backdrop of pleasant grain and nuttiness. While the aroma packs a punch, the taste is much more mild. Deep malt and light sweetness are present with only slight bitterness. It's light and easy-drinking with medium carbonation. I would have it again.
Feb 20, 2021
Reviewed by Sludgeman from District of Columbia
3.58/5 rDev -11.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
3.58/5 rDev -11.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
A crowler from Dominion Beer and Wine.
Not impressed with this one more like a Dunkel. Lacking in any level of sweetness and too heavy. Not the typical refreshing beer I have come to love.
Sep 05, 2020Not impressed with this one more like a Dunkel. Lacking in any level of sweetness and too heavy. Not the typical refreshing beer I have come to love.
Reviewed by Steve555 from Wales
4.18/5 rDev +3.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
4.18/5 rDev +3.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Look is two finger light brown head with solid dark brown body, head retention is good and stays with you throughout leaving good lacing.
Aroma of chestnut, raisins, blackcurrant
Taste burnt malts, very subtle bitterness and black coffee with dark bitter chocolate in the aftertaste.
Feel is light to medium carbonation with a tingling sweetness on the palate, semi dry.
Overall it is a tasty full beer retaining the refreshment of a lager as well.
Aug 11, 2020Aroma of chestnut, raisins, blackcurrant
Taste burnt malts, very subtle bitterness and black coffee with dark bitter chocolate in the aftertaste.
Feel is light to medium carbonation with a tingling sweetness on the palate, semi dry.
Overall it is a tasty full beer retaining the refreshment of a lager as well.
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