Mönchshof Zoigl
Kulmbacher Brauerei

 

Pours a slightly cloudy, dark golden amber coloration with a large, creamy, lasting head and visible carbonation. Smells of doughy, slightly bready malt and lighter, floral, herbal hops. Taste is a good balance of doughy, bready malt and floral, herbal hops, as well as some light dark fruit accents, with just a hint of dates coming through. Finishes with a light bitterness and some bready malt and floral, herbal hops lingering in the aftertaste. Smooth mouthfeel with a medium body and light/medium carbonation.

This seems like quite a well-balanced, but at the same time rather bland Lager that is not very expressive, somehow lacking a distinct flavor profile, being neither really sweet or bitter, with kind of subdued malt and hop notes. I guess you could call it subtely balanced or rather bland and boring, that is really up to you, but while I think that I've kind of learned to appreciate a well-balanced Lager, this is just too bland and non-descriptive for my personal taste. Kind of reminds me of a Kölsch in that way...

 

Very inviting and drinkable Keelerbier. Missing the sometimes quirky characteristics of a Zoigl this exhibits more industrial clean yeast aroma.

 

 

From the half liter bottle, it poured a hazy amber with a nice head that does last. Some fruit scent, yeast and grain in the nose. The mouth revels in the velvety feel and lovely slightly sweet flavor with a touch of bitterness. Yum!

 

2.10 euros (including tax) for a 0.5L fliptop at the stop ‘n’ rob in the Hauptbahnhof in Bamberg.
Fliptop dated 10.12.17 in the stop ‘n ‘ rob cooler, whatever that temp is. Served in a 0.2 L kolsh glass at whatever temp it was when I got back to the hotel – below room temperature and definitely cooler than outside.
Aroma – very slightly fruity with subdued graininess.
Head – excellent. The majority of the glass is foam, probably because it’s warmer than desired. Off white and medium density foam, average retention. Diminishing to an irregular three to five mm frothy ring and complete layer.
Lacing – Also excellent. Thick complete rings connected by columns of foam.
Body – light yellow, hazy.
Flavor – slightly sweet with subdued fruit and grain. Ends with just a touch of hop bitterness. No alcohol, no diacetyl.
Palate -medium, creamy, soft carbonation.

A very pleasing example of a type of beer you don’t see that often in the USA. Aalso cheap, once you get to Germany.

Appearance 4.5, Aroma 4, Flavor 4, Palate 4.25, Overall, 4.25.