Commerzienrat Riegele Privat
Brauhaus Riegele


Beer Geek Stats
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- From:
- Brauhaus Riegele
- Germany
- Style:
- Lager - European / Dortmunder Export
Ranked #9 - ABV:
- 5.2%
- Score:
- 87
Ranked #15,919 - Avg:
- 3.9 | pDev: 12.56%
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- Mar 26, 2022
- Added:
- Sep 15, 2010
- Wants:
- 6
- Gots:
- 21
SCORE
87
Very Good
87
Very Good


Notes:
From Germany’s most awarded brewery comes Riegele’s most awarded beer, Privat. Winner of the “Beer of the Decade,” “Beer of the Year,” World Beer Cup," 9-time DLG Gold and the 6-Time European Gold Star, Privat sets the benchmark for craft festival lagers. Crisp, elegant, and complex in character, Privat is perfectly balanced with a clean and remarkably smooth finish thanks to the Riegele husk separation process.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
3.8 by chad6058 from Virginia on Mar 26, 2022
3.59 by samEBC from Belgium on Oct 08, 2021
3.83 by Dentist666 from Russian Federation on Sep 13, 2021
4.88/5 rDev +25.1%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75
by LeftyMike70
This is one of the top beers I’ve ever had. I am a fan of this type of beer. It’s hard to find in Ohio and I had to track it down in Livonia, Michigan. It’s well worth it. You can easily drink many of these Dortmunder beers; it’s the most “drinkable” beer of this style I’ve tasted to this point, and while it’s so incredibly smooth, my point isn’t to overdue these (even though it would be easy to do). Grab a six pack, they are pricey, crack one, maybe two and realize it for what it is… absolutely delicious.
Aug 03, 2021
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75
by LeftyMike70
This is one of the top beers I’ve ever had. I am a fan of this type of beer. It’s hard to find in Ohio and I had to track it down in Livonia, Michigan. It’s well worth it. You can easily drink many of these Dortmunder beers; it’s the most “drinkable” beer of this style I’ve tasted to this point, and while it’s so incredibly smooth, my point isn’t to overdue these (even though it would be easy to do). Grab a six pack, they are pricey, crack one, maybe two and realize it for what it is… absolutely delicious.
Aug 03, 2021
4.21/5 rDev +7.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
by CBlack85 from South Carolina
Poured from an 11.2 oz bottle into a Pilsner glass
Pours a crystal clear straw yellow color with three to four fingers worth of head. Good head retention that recedes into small bits of sticky lacing.
The nose is biscuity and bready. Lightly sweet and slightly fruity, with just the slightest hint of spiciness. Very appealing and clean
Like the nose, the taste is bready and toasty. Quite clean and crisp. Slightly sweet and just a hint of spiciness. Refreshing and easy to drink, medium/light bodied and well carbonated with a clean finish.
Overall, this is a very nice beer. I will definitely be keeping more of this around
Apr 02, 2021
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
by CBlack85 from South Carolina
Poured from an 11.2 oz bottle into a Pilsner glass
Pours a crystal clear straw yellow color with three to four fingers worth of head. Good head retention that recedes into small bits of sticky lacing.
The nose is biscuity and bready. Lightly sweet and slightly fruity, with just the slightest hint of spiciness. Very appealing and clean
Like the nose, the taste is bready and toasty. Quite clean and crisp. Slightly sweet and just a hint of spiciness. Refreshing and easy to drink, medium/light bodied and well carbonated with a clean finish.
Overall, this is a very nice beer. I will definitely be keeping more of this around
Apr 02, 2021
3.5 by Noelito76 from New York on Jan 03, 2021
3.71 by smithj4 from New York on Dec 23, 2020
4 by Chilmer from Iowa on Dec 21, 2020
3.92/5 rDev +0.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
by BubbleBobble from New York
Pours a straw yellow with the slightest bit of haze; one-inch head that settles to a thick ring, some islands of foam on the surface. Nose is light - noble hops, earth, lemon, yeast, biscuit - all very pleasant. Earth and hops up front, but there is a bit of honey sweetness as well, even a faint trace of lemon zest. Feel is great - crisp and refreshing, inviting another big gulp. Overall, a very enjoyable lager.
Sep 20, 2020
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
by BubbleBobble from New York
Pours a straw yellow with the slightest bit of haze; one-inch head that settles to a thick ring, some islands of foam on the surface. Nose is light - noble hops, earth, lemon, yeast, biscuit - all very pleasant. Earth and hops up front, but there is a bit of honey sweetness as well, even a faint trace of lemon zest. Feel is great - crisp and refreshing, inviting another big gulp. Overall, a very enjoyable lager.
Sep 20, 2020
3.99/5 rDev +2.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by Rug from Massachusetts
Can't say I've ever had a dortmunder before, nor do I really know how it differs from a traditional Euro lager, but I'm sure it'll be good nonetheless
Pours a clear golden yellow with 2 fingers of fluffy white head that slowly reduces to a cap and leaves no lacing
The nose here is standard lager fare, but everything is a bit stronger. I get biscuity malt, light piney hops, honey, and fruity esters from the yeast. Simple, but it smells delicious
The taste is a bit hoppy right on the front, earthy noble hops but is balanced out by delicate malt. On the swallow, this trends light and fruity, with a heavy dose of honey to sweeten up the mild grain
The light body combined with gentle carbonation results in a creamy drink that finishes mostly dry and sweet
This was really solid stuff! A good a lager as any, perfectly balanced and crisp. I'll have to get more of this
Sep 03, 2020
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by Rug from Massachusetts
Can't say I've ever had a dortmunder before, nor do I really know how it differs from a traditional Euro lager, but I'm sure it'll be good nonetheless
Pours a clear golden yellow with 2 fingers of fluffy white head that slowly reduces to a cap and leaves no lacing
The nose here is standard lager fare, but everything is a bit stronger. I get biscuity malt, light piney hops, honey, and fruity esters from the yeast. Simple, but it smells delicious
The taste is a bit hoppy right on the front, earthy noble hops but is balanced out by delicate malt. On the swallow, this trends light and fruity, with a heavy dose of honey to sweeten up the mild grain
The light body combined with gentle carbonation results in a creamy drink that finishes mostly dry and sweet
This was really solid stuff! A good a lager as any, perfectly balanced and crisp. I'll have to get more of this
Sep 03, 2020
4.1/5 rDev +5.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by donzilake from Ohio
Little pricey , but very good beer , must try !
Sep 02, 2020
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by donzilake from Ohio
Little pricey , but very good beer , must try !
Sep 02, 2020
3.56 by Tcsox from Massachusetts on May 13, 2020
4.19/5 rDev +7.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
by neenerzig from Ohio
Poured out of an 11.2 oz bottle into one of my pokal glasses, this beer pours a clear, medium golden color with lots of streams of little bubbles fairly rapidly and continuously rising to the beer's surface along with a fluffy looking white head that's well over an inch thick when first poured that settles to a solid 2/3 of an inch thick with good retention and nice lacing. Aromas of some bready, biscuity, grainy, grassy malts and some floral, slightly spicy, and just slightly citrusy, hops. A very pleasant aroma indeed. The taste follows suit, with the bready and biscuity malt right upfront that gives way to an herbal graininess and just a very slight hint of green apple. This gives way to the floral, slightly spicy, and just slightly citrusy hops. Has a very crisp, also smooth, medium bodied mouthfeel with moderate carbonation. has a clean finish, with a bready, grainy, slightly sweet aftertaste. An excellent beer. Glad I picked this one up!
Eric
Apr 20, 2020
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
by neenerzig from Ohio
Poured out of an 11.2 oz bottle into one of my pokal glasses, this beer pours a clear, medium golden color with lots of streams of little bubbles fairly rapidly and continuously rising to the beer's surface along with a fluffy looking white head that's well over an inch thick when first poured that settles to a solid 2/3 of an inch thick with good retention and nice lacing. Aromas of some bready, biscuity, grainy, grassy malts and some floral, slightly spicy, and just slightly citrusy, hops. A very pleasant aroma indeed. The taste follows suit, with the bready and biscuity malt right upfront that gives way to an herbal graininess and just a very slight hint of green apple. This gives way to the floral, slightly spicy, and just slightly citrusy hops. Has a very crisp, also smooth, medium bodied mouthfeel with moderate carbonation. has a clean finish, with a bready, grainy, slightly sweet aftertaste. An excellent beer. Glad I picked this one up!
Eric
Apr 20, 2020
4.16/5 rDev +6.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
by C-Stockwell from New Hampshire
L: bright gold, very fine bubbles, about a one-inch head when poured
S: rich malt, vanilla, and toasted bread
T: creamy, dry, faint hops, and molasses
F: good carbonation and mouthfeel
A pleasantly mild beer with sufficiently interesting flavor and smell. Well-rounded. Balanced. Creamy yet dry. An overall nice beer that goes well with a meal or by itself.
Apr 11, 2020
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
by C-Stockwell from New Hampshire
L: bright gold, very fine bubbles, about a one-inch head when poured
S: rich malt, vanilla, and toasted bread
T: creamy, dry, faint hops, and molasses
F: good carbonation and mouthfeel
A pleasantly mild beer with sufficiently interesting flavor and smell. Well-rounded. Balanced. Creamy yet dry. An overall nice beer that goes well with a meal or by itself.
Apr 11, 2020
4.34 by MacStinson from Michigan on Mar 22, 2020
4.1 by Manta200 from Kentucky on Mar 05, 2020
4.29 by WesMantooth from Ohio on Feb 13, 2020
3.98 by Jcarriglio from Florida on Feb 05, 2020
3.94/5 rDev +1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
by GreesyFizeek from New York
This one pours a clear golden yellow color, with a small fluffy head, and lots of lacing.
This one smells like hay, honey, grassy hops, and biscuity breadiness.
I'd want a bit more of a crisp snap here, but the malt character feels pretty spot on - just lightly sweet, biscuity, and chewy. There are light feelings of spicy hops and some lemon, maybe.
This is light bodied, and very clean, with a very high level of drinkability.
I'm always down to try some traditional German lagers. This is solid stuff, but I've had better.
Feb 02, 2020
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
by GreesyFizeek from New York
This one pours a clear golden yellow color, with a small fluffy head, and lots of lacing.
This one smells like hay, honey, grassy hops, and biscuity breadiness.
I'd want a bit more of a crisp snap here, but the malt character feels pretty spot on - just lightly sweet, biscuity, and chewy. There are light feelings of spicy hops and some lemon, maybe.
This is light bodied, and very clean, with a very high level of drinkability.
I'm always down to try some traditional German lagers. This is solid stuff, but I've had better.
Feb 02, 2020
3.75 by EdmundBlackadder from Ohio on Jan 18, 2020
3.74/5 rDev -4.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
by dbrauneis from North Carolina
A: Pours a crystal clear medium yellow in color with moderate amounts of fine active visible carbonation rising quickly from the bottom of the glass and faint pale golden yellow + pale bright yellow colored highlights. The beer has a finger tall dense fizzy foamy bright white head that quickly reduces to a medium to large sized patch of very thin film covering a little more than 75% of the surface of the beer and a thin ring at the edges of the glass. Light amounts of lacing are observed.
S: Moderate aromas of biscuit + bready + lightly toasted malts with minimal amounts of grainy + light fruit (green grape) sweetness. Light aromas of floral + spicy hops.
T: Upfront there are moderate flavors of biscuit + bready + lightly toasted malts with minimal amounts of grainy + light fruit (green grape) sweetness. That is followed by light flavors of floral + spicy hops which impart a light amount of bitterness which fades away fairly slowly.
M: Light to medium bodied with moderate amounts of carbonation. Slightly crisp with a touch of dryness in the otherwise relatively clean finish.
O: Easy to drink with well hidden alcohol and a pleasantly light and crisp mouthfeel. Enjoyable and well balanced between the malt & hops flavors without too much sweetness or bitterness. Pairs nicely with food.
Dec 31, 2019
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
by dbrauneis from North Carolina
A: Pours a crystal clear medium yellow in color with moderate amounts of fine active visible carbonation rising quickly from the bottom of the glass and faint pale golden yellow + pale bright yellow colored highlights. The beer has a finger tall dense fizzy foamy bright white head that quickly reduces to a medium to large sized patch of very thin film covering a little more than 75% of the surface of the beer and a thin ring at the edges of the glass. Light amounts of lacing are observed.
S: Moderate aromas of biscuit + bready + lightly toasted malts with minimal amounts of grainy + light fruit (green grape) sweetness. Light aromas of floral + spicy hops.
T: Upfront there are moderate flavors of biscuit + bready + lightly toasted malts with minimal amounts of grainy + light fruit (green grape) sweetness. That is followed by light flavors of floral + spicy hops which impart a light amount of bitterness which fades away fairly slowly.
M: Light to medium bodied with moderate amounts of carbonation. Slightly crisp with a touch of dryness in the otherwise relatively clean finish.
O: Easy to drink with well hidden alcohol and a pleasantly light and crisp mouthfeel. Enjoyable and well balanced between the malt & hops flavors without too much sweetness or bitterness. Pairs nicely with food.
Dec 31, 2019
3.89 by Gemini6 from Michigan on Nov 08, 2019
4.16 by RochefortChris from North Carolina on Oct 03, 2019
3.86/5 rDev -1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
by jkblr from Indiana
11.2oz bottle. Label says Best before: see top. 211118 printed on the gold neck foil. So best by November 2018 although it showed up in my local shop a couple weeks ago. Pours bright straw yellow with nearly white head that recedes to a thin ring and leaves no lacing. The aroma is malty with pils malt intermingled with floral and grassy hops. The taste is suffering from age. Pils malt, cardboard and more grassy hops. No pop at all from the malt. Medium bitterness. The mouthfeel is medium bodied, adequately carbonated and dry in the finish. Overall, ok as it sits in my glass. I've had it before, presumably fresher, and it was great. Rated to the current average with hops of finding a fresher example.
Jul 15, 2019
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
by jkblr from Indiana
11.2oz bottle. Label says Best before: see top. 211118 printed on the gold neck foil. So best by November 2018 although it showed up in my local shop a couple weeks ago. Pours bright straw yellow with nearly white head that recedes to a thin ring and leaves no lacing. The aroma is malty with pils malt intermingled with floral and grassy hops. The taste is suffering from age. Pils malt, cardboard and more grassy hops. No pop at all from the malt. Medium bitterness. The mouthfeel is medium bodied, adequately carbonated and dry in the finish. Overall, ok as it sits in my glass. I've had it before, presumably fresher, and it was great. Rated to the current average with hops of finding a fresher example.
Jul 15, 2019
3.75 by Bogdawg from Massachusetts on Jul 13, 2019
4 by Griffith from Connecticut on Jul 12, 2019
3.67/5 rDev -5.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
by hman43 from North Carolina
Look: It pours golden with a white head that has tight beading and is pillowed. Head retention is good.
Smell: It has grainy sweet aromas with spicy notes.
Taste: It has grainy sweetness in the flavor with a slight bit of bread and spicy hops. It is clean.
Feel: It has a light body.
Overall, it is a very easy drinking beer.
Jun 21, 2019
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
by hman43 from North Carolina
Look: It pours golden with a white head that has tight beading and is pillowed. Head retention is good.
Smell: It has grainy sweet aromas with spicy notes.
Taste: It has grainy sweetness in the flavor with a slight bit of bread and spicy hops. It is clean.
Feel: It has a light body.
Overall, it is a very easy drinking beer.
Jun 21, 2019
4 by wc94wc from California on Jun 02, 2019
3.5/5 rDev -10.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
by KooVee from Finland
50cl bottle.
Clear pilsner gold, head a bit weak, but adequate.
Nose is very much as expected: grain and grassy hops, nothing out of place, nothing more.
Taste is sweetish with proper medium mouthfeel and slight smooth bitterness at the end, with a bit of lingering graininess. Some spiciness.
Solid, professionally executed. Just wanted a bit more inspiration but that is not the beer's fault.
Apr 19, 2019
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
by KooVee from Finland
50cl bottle.
Clear pilsner gold, head a bit weak, but adequate.
Nose is very much as expected: grain and grassy hops, nothing out of place, nothing more.
Taste is sweetish with proper medium mouthfeel and slight smooth bitterness at the end, with a bit of lingering graininess. Some spiciness.
Solid, professionally executed. Just wanted a bit more inspiration but that is not the beer's fault.
Apr 19, 2019
4/5 rDev +2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by Nass from Florida
It's well balanced, smooth bready malts, well carbonated, slight grass, slight herbal note, & it's clean & refreshing. I highly recommend this euro export lager if you can get this in your area. This beer is worthy of it's gold foil. Cheers! A-
Mar 26, 2019
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by Nass from Florida
It's well balanced, smooth bready malts, well carbonated, slight grass, slight herbal note, & it's clean & refreshing. I highly recommend this euro export lager if you can get this in your area. This beer is worthy of it's gold foil. Cheers! A-
Mar 26, 2019
3.81/5 rDev -2.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
by oberon from North Carolina
Pours a light to medium golden with a decent size one finger bone white crown that leaves multiple broken rings of lace as it settles.A bit of toasted crushed grain and a metallic note in the nose,as it warms slightly I do get a bit of spicy/leafy hops but it's more faint in nature.Grainy flavors with some honey tinged bread dough giving off a fair amount of sweetness,the spicy hops are more pronounced in the finish than in the nose.A more delicate lager with a well rounded flavor profile.
Mar 25, 2019
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
by oberon from North Carolina
Pours a light to medium golden with a decent size one finger bone white crown that leaves multiple broken rings of lace as it settles.A bit of toasted crushed grain and a metallic note in the nose,as it warms slightly I do get a bit of spicy/leafy hops but it's more faint in nature.Grainy flavors with some honey tinged bread dough giving off a fair amount of sweetness,the spicy hops are more pronounced in the finish than in the nose.A more delicate lager with a well rounded flavor profile.
Mar 25, 2019
4.5 by AngusOg from North Carolina on Feb 23, 2019
3.75 by aasher from Indiana on Feb 03, 2019
4.41 by KensWorld from Florida on Jan 01, 2019
3.56 by Zazzi82 from Tennessee on Nov 30, 2018
3.87/5 rDev -0.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
by G-Style from New York
This is a well crafted beer. Well balanced, flavorful yet not overpowering. Mild wheat flavor, malt and bitterness, yet nice lingering aftertaste.
Nov 10, 2018
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
by G-Style from New York
This is a well crafted beer. Well balanced, flavorful yet not overpowering. Mild wheat flavor, malt and bitterness, yet nice lingering aftertaste.
Nov 10, 2018
3.86 by Atg1095 from New York on Nov 04, 2018
4.36 by selecter70 from Massachusetts on Oct 21, 2018
3.99/5 rDev +2.3%
look: 4.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by aleigator from Germany
Pours a bright golden color with a big, stable white head.
Smells of coppery, dried garden herbs with a note of dough, toffee and fresh hay.
Has a surprisingly full and well balanced, smooth mouthfeel with a nice, sparkly finish. A light, crisp and refreshing beer.
Tastes of grain bread dough, caramel with a light mineralic note, grassy hops and a whiff of wheat. Turns a little sweeter then, with the hops developing a soothing blueberry quality among their herbal foundation. Finishes light and clean with prevailing herbal hops and lighter turning bread dough.
Another winner from this brewery. Traditional hop profile meets rustic, mellow malts and bread dough, blending together to a very refreshing, tasty flavor profile.
Sep 19, 2018
look: 4.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by aleigator from Germany
Pours a bright golden color with a big, stable white head.
Smells of coppery, dried garden herbs with a note of dough, toffee and fresh hay.
Has a surprisingly full and well balanced, smooth mouthfeel with a nice, sparkly finish. A light, crisp and refreshing beer.
Tastes of grain bread dough, caramel with a light mineralic note, grassy hops and a whiff of wheat. Turns a little sweeter then, with the hops developing a soothing blueberry quality among their herbal foundation. Finishes light and clean with prevailing herbal hops and lighter turning bread dough.
Another winner from this brewery. Traditional hop profile meets rustic, mellow malts and bread dough, blending together to a very refreshing, tasty flavor profile.
Sep 19, 2018
3.72 by probert from New York on Aug 26, 2018
Commerzienrat Riegele Privat from Brauhaus Riegele
Beer rating:
87 out of
100 with
112 ratings