Kulmbacher Reichelbrau Eisbock - Kulmbacher Brauerei AG

deepseacatfish

Iowa

4.18/5  rDev +1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

One of the more complex and interesting beers that I've had the pleasure of tasting. The Eisbock was dark and rich with the obvious presence of the 9.2% alcohol. Definitely a little sweetness, plenty of roasty flavor, caramel, and Germanic beer fruit notes. Wonderfully balanced and very drinkable in spite of the heavy nature of the beer.

Serving type: bottle

05-14-2013 19:58:53 | More by deepseacatfish

beergoot

Colorado

4.44/5  rDev +7.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Cola-brown body sitting beneath a rich, foamy head. Aroma exudes caramel and ripe, dark fruits with hints of roasted grains. The body comes across heavy and sweet. Caramel and nougat flavors abound with a rich sweetness taming a bold alcohol presence in the background.

I'm hard-pressed to notice a big difference between this eisbock and some of those big, bold doppelbocks I also love and crave. And this is a good thing! This eisbock is big and bold in flavor and character, and for a high ABV beer, does a supremely excellent job of balancing things out. Most definitely a good beer for a cold, late Spring winter storm while the hardwood fire burns in the fireplace...and I can easily think of other occasions where I would enjoy this powerhouse beer...!!!

Serving type: bottle

04-22-2013 23:22:57 | More by beergoot

BlackHaddock

United Kingdom (England)

4.05/5  rDev -1.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Last beer in a random tasting evening on 2 Apr 2013: 33cl bottle, best before 26 Aug 2013, poured into a Palm Special tulip at home. labelled as Kulmbacher 'Eisbock'.

I love dark, rich, sweet brews and this fits the bill nicely.

The smell is all malty molasses: with a dark alcohol laden fruit cake dropped into the brew. The taste is also sweet malty fruit cake: raisins and Victoria plums soaked in a bitter-sweet balsamic mix with some caramel and burnt butterscotch all add to make this beer more than just a uber strong Bock.

All in all, a very nice beer, strong but balanced, if a little malty and sweet.

Serving type: bottle

04-02-2013 20:51:29 | More by BlackHaddock

MattSweatshirt

Texas

4.1/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

On tap served into a snifter.

The beer comes to me with a small off white head and a dark body with amber highlights.

Smells like a malt bombbb. Dark fruits like crazy. Raisins.

More raisiny dark fruit malt character on the taste. The alcohol is there but fairly tame and warming.

This is smooth with a medium-full body. It has a subtle carbonation that massages your tongue.

Serving type: on-tap

03-10-2013 04:10:35 | More by MattSweatshirt

Bouleboubier

Pennsylvania

4.21/5  rDev +2.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

Must of built it up in my head. Was expecting more from this. When it comes down to it, though, this is a fantastic (doppel)bock. Reminds me of Samichlaus or EKU 28.

(poured into a snifter)

A: huge, tan head rises on the pour, little retention, some spitty lace...deep, dark burgundy in color - appears opaque, at first

S: Concord grape, hops(?!), chocolate drops...really just a melanoidin-rich, dark-baked bread aroma with some notes of herbal alcohol (similar to an amaro)

T: oh, that's a bock alright! - just with a juicier malt/alcohol richness, flavor that fans out and expands over the palate....Port-ish aftertaste....caramel, a touch of anise, herbal cough drop OR root beer / cola....perhaps just a bit too restrained for what I had anticipated....just a lovely rich bock flavor

M: pleasant smooth malt roll, however, a few notches more dry in the finish than desirable - ends up being much more drinkable for it, though....mild+ bitterness seems to distract from silky bliss....more body (at least) would be nice

Serving type: bottle

03-07-2013 05:14:26 | More by Bouleboubier

Hoptometrist

Oregon

4.2/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Served from the bottle into a globed glass

A- Poured a very dark brown with lots of red hues shining throuh. Latte colored head with big bubbles dissipated quickly but left a ring of lace at the top for a while

S- Prominent sweet fruit juice notes like cranberry, black cherry, and concord grape. Some caramel and toffee notes in the background. Quite fruity and toasty aroma.

T- Pretty big caramel, toffee, and toasted bread notes up front. Nice concord grape and cranberry juice flavors in the middle of the tongue. Some light roastiness and raisin notes.

M- Fuller bodied, very smooth, almost creamy surprisingly dry, no trace of alcohol, not really any stickiness. This has a really substantial mouthfeel without any alcohol burn or stickiness. I am very impressed.

O- Having never had an eisbock before I went in expecting this to be very sweet, boozy, and sticky. I really enjoyed this beer, very nice balance of sweetness and toastiness. Incredibly drinkable for the ABV as well.

Serving type: bottle

03-07-2013 04:34:39 | More by Hoptometrist

Oakenator

Pennsylvania

4.43/5  rDev +7.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.25

Pours a dark brown to black with two fingers of head. Head lingers well and provides some lacing on the glass. Dark, chocolate malts dominate the aroma with some sweetness present. Taste has a bitter pop up front but followed with a maple syrup and slightly present chocolate through the middle to back - the sweetness enhances towards the back and becomes richer. Nice brew.

Serving type: bottle

02-08-2013 01:34:57 | More by Oakenator

merc7186

New York

4.11/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at Crabapples in Cheektowaga NY, poured into a pint glass.

A: Dark Reddish, Brownish Hue, Passes Mild Light, Off White Head, Some Lacing

S: Sweet Bread, Cherries, Plums, Mild Boozy

T: Sweet Bread, Cherry, Plum, Mild Apple

M: Decent Carbonation, Medium Bodied, Mildly Sweet, Mildly Boozy

Overall, a pretty solid eisbock with great balance of fruit flavors with a mild booziness to it but nothing drastic, solid.

Serving type: on-tap

01-14-2013 20:43:16 | More by merc7186

VelvetExtract

Massachusetts

3.73/5  rDev -9.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

My first Eisbock?

A-Pours dark brown. When held up to a light source, I can see its clarity. Head is a set of bubbly clusters attached to a thin foamy seam. Light lacing.

S-My first thought was dog food. There actually is a light waft of floral hops and grass. Also there is a very concentrated amount of caramel, brown sugar and molasses. Dried figs and raisins.

T-More of the same. Soda syrup, brown sugar, loads of molasses and soggy pumpernickel bread. I enjoy how its not as sweet as I was expecting.

M-Booze hidden pretty well. A bit syrupy. More drinkable than it should be. Tongue dries out a bit and it tends to warm the cheeks.

O/D-At $2.25 for a 12-13oz. bottle, this is well worth it. A $2.50 buzz. Struggling to find critical words for this beer. Cheap, surprisingly agreeable and fun.

Serving type: bottle

01-08-2013 23:56:01 | More by VelvetExtract

AgentMunky

Alabama

3.38/5  rDev -18%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Poured from a bottle into a shot glass.

A: Light, off-white head. Deep ruby amber is darkly transparent.

S: Rich and malty. Sugary-sweet, oppressively so.

T: Mm, this is tasty. Rich, complex sugars. Lightly nutty malts. Hint of roast. Still, a touch dull. Unengaging.

M: Thick and pleasant.

O: Goodish beer, mediocre eisbock. I would not have again and would recommend the Aventinus Eisbock in its stead.

Serving type: bottle

11-26-2012 01:20:35 | More by AgentMunky

BarryMFBurton

Indiana

4.38/5  rDev +6.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

I’m going back to how I normally review for this one; sorry Mitch Steele, but this way seems to work better for me.

A: Dark crimson color with a smooth, bubbly beige head about a finger high. Soft, thin retention and spindly lacing scattered around.

S: Strong malt aromas waft up in waves of thick molasses, raisin, rich buttered bread, and tangy cranberry. Has a definite caramel and dark fruit overtone that’s all bock, but with ever-present chocolate and smoky oak notes reminiscent of an old ale. Savory, satisfying.

T: This palate is an expression of pure malt enjoyment, with big tastes of chewy fig and date drenched in caramel. Warm sugar, light vanilla, bubblegum, earthy walnut, and sweet dark fruits just like the nose, but with more semisweet chocolate and woody booze. Finishes with a hint of dry smoke and a dense sweetness that rolls off the tongue without a ton of lingering residual sugars.

M: Drinks incredibly easy, typical for bock – though not for one with this much alcohol. It’s rich with the first caramel tastes, but lightens up for the smokier, more bitter aftertaste.

O: I’m not sure I could handle a six-pack of these. A flavorful, alcoholic bock that goes down like water? I’d be ruined in a half-hour. Hell, I couldn’t even keep this one in my glass for more than 10 minutes, and I was consciously trying to sip it – the sign of great beer.

Serving type: bottle

11-21-2012 01:21:49 | More by BarryMFBurton

Jimmys

Pennsylvania

4.35/5  rDev +5.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

11.2 fl oz into chalice. not sure what this bottle code means on the label.

A: rich chestnut hued body. i think its a pretty clear looking brew. off-white head is very frothy. great retention and good lacing.

S: a slight coffee smell. the malt has such a deep richness it reminds me of dark sweet fruit. a little bit of tobacco.

T: sweet. pancake batter. rich nut flavor. chestnuts and walnuts. grapes and plums take over the body towards the middle. grape jelly in the finish.

M: carb is modest and very velvet-like. full bodied.

D: some tasty lager from germany. im sort of a sucker for Eisbock's cause of all the flavor. so many directions, definitely an enjoyable brew.

Serving type: bottle

11-16-2012 01:33:33 | More by Jimmys

schoolboy

Ohio

4.03/5  rDev -2.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This is pretty much what I expected but without any of the negatives. It's dark but not opaque with just a bit of head. The aroma is like the taste - sweet and malty. The taste adds a significant boozy taste, but it's tolerable.

The aftertaste keeps the sweet malty thing going with a little bit of rauch (roasty smoke). I like it and would like to drink it again. Actually, I intend to try others of this style - this is easier drinking than most double bocks and such.

Serving type: bottle

11-09-2012 23:44:27 | More by schoolboy

woosterbill

Connecticut

4.08/5  rDev -1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

33cl bottle into a Duvel tulip.

A: Pours a clear dark brown body topped by two fingers of fine tan froth. Good retention, spotty lace. Quite nice for the style. Quite nice indeed.

S: Really nice, rich mixture of toffee and dark fruits. Honey-coated bread, raisins, and candied dates. Very pleasant.

T: Follows the nose, with sweet maltiness up front giving way to rich dark fruits midway through. Significant alcohol heat on the finish is a bit of a bummer, but not too excessive for something over 9%. Quite tasty.

M: Thick, viscous, and only lightly carbonated. Nice heft, but not enough life.

O: Great beer. At $3.50, a particularly good value for a high-ABV import.

Cheers!

Serving type: bottle

11-02-2012 22:21:24 | More by woosterbill

JimTeal

Nevada

4.88/5  rDev +18.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

My sample was the Kulmbacher Eisbock version, same ABV 9.2% so I assume this is a legitimate version of the Reichelbrau. My experience with eisbock must be in relation to doublebock since that is what I know. This beer is excellent, clean taste and really a bud tickler, not too much of anything (like carbonation, molasses flavor or hidden spice) and all within the beer itself, no overwhelming factors. That is such a tricky thing to pull off, so many of us are ready to pounce on "boring" but believe me, this beer is not boring, and well worth a good try, if of course you are favoribly disposed to doublebocks. They are definitively German after all, so not for the less than bold taste buds, but if you like a nice crisp bock, on the higher alcohol level, this is a solid yes recommendation, this beer is unique and delicious.

Serving type: bottle

10-31-2012 20:34:18 | More by JimTeal

arizcards

Arizona

4.48/5  rDev +8.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Picked up a single at Magnums on the 4th of July 2010 for $3.59. Bottle number 1748298.

Beer poured dark brown with a nice tan head.

Nose is molasses and dark fruits.

Taste is very good, dark fruits dominate with a touch of burnt molasses. Alcohol warming on the first sip.

Mouthfeel is full bodied and very smooth.

Overall this brew was worth the wait. It has aged quite well and possesses some wine like qualities. I have only had a couple samples of this style and so far i am totally impressed!

Serving type: bottle

10-28-2012 01:16:49 | More by arizcards

stakem

Pennsylvania

4.13/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

11oz brown bottle vintage 1996, the same as the one pictured here on the listing. "Number 25452" with an small block indicator of what I assume relates to this be being batch #1 on the bottom right of the front label. Poured into a snifter, the brew appears mahogany to cocoa in color with a finger of tan to khaki head that quickly recedes down to a ring around the perimeter of the glass. When held to the light, the brew shows a brilliant deep ruby clarity.

The smell of this brew is malty with hints of molasses and raisin-like alcohol esters. There is a bit of faint yeasty quality and some caramelized sugars present. There is a very faint cocoa aspect mixed with mild oxidative quality that overall brings this into the realm of being like sherry. It is surprising how overall the aromatics of this are mild yet display no off characteristics for being 16 years old. As it warms up, it picks up a mild mineral inclusion as well as a hint of something almost along the lines of herbal tea.

The taste is all about the malt. Molasses, raisins, toffee, burnt sugar, dates, prunes with a hint of chocolate. There is a sherry-like alcohol note that brings forth some more dark fruity sweetness coupled with alcohol. I know this brew is 16 years old and I know that there should be no lingering character of hops. However, I cant help but think there is some minor hop influence here with a fruity hint that accents the fruity esters of the alcohol. A very trace character of oxidation is present towards the backend mixed with a hint of mineral quality. The aftertaste is alcohol mixed with some herbal element and it also displays a mild tea element just like the nose included as it warmed up.

This is a medium to fuller bodied brew with a modest amount of carbonation. For being 16 years old, this brew is seemingly timeless. I have picked up on more signs of oxidation and age in beers that are only 1/4 as old as this one. This is a fantastic display of a beer that can last the test of time if cellared properly. Fantastic stuff. Now to get a brand spanking new bottle to have as comparison.

Serving type: bottle

09-13-2012 01:34:54 | More by stakem

brewskifan55

Mississippi

4.23/5  rDev +2.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured into a tulip glass

A: Dark amber with a frothy one finger head that takes its time, then leaves big bubbles . Decent lacing.

S: Caramel, malts, cherries,oak.

T: A wave of dark malty goodness comes flowing in with a molasses backbeat. A tingly, bourbon-like finish. Sweet, robust. Rich.

M: Medium to heavy. Thick, chewy.

O: Outstanding. Wish I'd gotten the sixer instead of just one.

Serving type: bottle

09-09-2012 21:55:45 | More by brewskifan55

thepeter

United Kingdom (England)

4/5  rDev -2.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pours dark brown to black with a off tan small head. Aroma dark caramel and roasted malt, as well as in the taste. Some nice dark fruits, plum, dates, figs as well rounding out the taste. Smooth going down and great carbination. The Alcohol is really well hidden a really great beer

Serving type: bottle

08-26-2012 08:30:26 | More by thepeter

acevenom

Louisiana

4.78/5  rDev +16%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Labeled the original German eisbock. They have an odd dating code on the back of the bottle (2160242).

Poured into a brandy snifter. Pours dark caramel brown with a light tan head and plenty of tiny bubbles in the glass. The head dissipates moderately quickly. Some lacing is left on the side of the glass during consumption. There are aromas of dark roasted malt, dark fruit, chocolate, and alcohol. The flavor follows the aroma very well. There are dark roasted malts, dark fruits, chocolate, and the alcohol comes through in the flavor as well. It has a nice sweet flavor along with some back end bitterness. The body is light medium with moderate carbonation. The finish is clean and smooth. The beer is a sipper with good alcohol warmness, but it is very easy to gulp this flavorful beer. This is an excellent beer that I recommend trying. I agree with a previous reviewer that this beer has the complexity of a solid Belgian quad with the qualities of a solid lager.

Serving type: bottle

08-05-2012 16:46:27 | More by acevenom

scar

New Jersey

5/5  rDev +21.4%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

I am a beer expert. That being said, this is the beer I judge all beers against because it is simply the best beer I have ever had.

I had it on tap in 2006 during the world cup in Sachenhausen Frankfurt at a pub that only served this beer. The tap sign had an snowman on it labeled 24%, which is the starting Plato.

Appearance in a half liter mug, tan head, really a thick lather that didn't dissipate. The color was a little darker than cola. Sticky lace.

The smell and taste of this beer can't be separated. Molasses, chocolate, booze, burnt dark fruits/burnt marshmallow, licorice, and an insane hammer of Munich malt maltiness. The heat is nice and not overpowering. Smooth and truly remarkable especially since this beer is only made with malt.

Mouthfeel, Sticky like a big porter, but not as thick as a barleywine. The malty sugar actually makes your lips sticky.

Germany has been going through a beer de-evolution, however not in this case. The Kulmbach brewers hit this ball out of the atmosphere in every way. This beer was the best thing I have ever drank and edged out a Robert Mondavi Cab worth over $300, and 30 year old Highland Park which are my second and third respectively. I often fantasize about taking a trip to Germany just for this beverage because for my taste buds this beer was rapturous and cathartic.

Serving type: on-tap

07-14-2012 01:46:18 | More by scar

VncentLIFE

North Carolina

4.05/5  rDev -1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Probably shouldnt have ordered a liter stein, but whatever.

Pour is pitch black with a full inch head. Huge for the ABV, but given the volume, its understandable.

The smell is laden with a sweet candied dark fruit booze. Its sweet and boozy.

The taste started all boozy at first, but as it warmed, the vanilla came out. I really liked how warm it tasted almost Barrel-Aged. Very malty, but still had some punch of non-sweet flavors.

Overall, still boozy and rough, but in the most glorious way possible.

Serving type: on-tap

06-23-2012 02:17:20 | More by VncentLIFE

notchucknorris

California

4/5  rDev -2.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Pours a deep mahogany color with a one finger tan head.

S: Raisins, prune, a bit of brown sugar and a lot of sweet malt. Very dopplebock-y.

T: Raisin, dark malt, rye, dark chocolate and a touch of peat on the finish. Alcohol is a bit evident but the mouthfeel makes this super drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

06-21-2012 21:24:34 | More by notchucknorris

ElCommodoro

Texas

4.98/5  rDev +20.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

This beer was freaking amazing. Smell was old, malty, woody, smoky malt. Taste was unexpectedly dry. Very little sweetness for such a strong, dark beer. Woody, smoky flavour was still there. Just the right amount of bitterness was present, seemingly all from roasted malt. I didn't taste any hop flavour (thank god). Very thin and refreshing, yet the alcohol was still very well disguised. Not sure how with such moderate bitterness and low sweetness. This is simply an amazing beer. The only eisbock I've ever had, so not sure how it compares to others, but I am thoroughly impressed.

Serving type: bottle

06-19-2012 06:29:18 | More by ElCommodoro

greybeardloon

Rhode Island

4/5  rDev -2.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

No date

A: Very dark red with a fizzy head.

S: Dried fruit, cola, some spice.

T: Dried fruit, but not too sweet, almost like unsulphured apricots. A hint of cough syrup from the alcohol, but not bad. Some herbal, almost medicinal hops on the finish. Surprisingly dry on the finish too.

M: Lighter and more carbonated than I expected. Not at all syrupy.

O: Solid, a nice change of pace.

Serving type: bottle

05-09-2012 02:37:28 | More by greybeardloon