Kulmbacher Reichelbrau Eisbock - Kulmbacher Brauerei AG

agotz

Wisconsin

4.4/5  rDev +6.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

12oz bottle poured in to tulip

A fairly hard pour results in an inch tall off-white head that quickly fades leaving a few spots of foam. The beer is dark opaque brown but when held to the light deep amber highlights are revealed.

The nose has strong pit fruit character, lots of plums and dates. There is also a pleasant, warming, almost vinous alcohol. Under that I pick up some subtle bittersweet chocolate.

Wow. The fruit is even more pronounced on the palate. Sweet malts and alcohol that builds with each sip. The sweet caramel finish stops just this side of becoming cloying.

This has a sticky medium feel in the mouth. While it isn't syrupy it doesn't finish clean off the palate. A minor complaint and my only real criticism.

I'm really glad I picked this up. It is rich and complex. Almost nothing like the few American examples of the stye I've tried.

Serving type: bottle

12-04-2011 06:59:35 | More by agotz

TheManiacalOne

Rhode Island

3.95/5  rDev -4.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

On-tap 11/27/2011 at Doherty’s East Ave Irish Pub, RI, served in a tulip glass.

A: The beer is a dark reddish brown color, with a short off-white head that fades slowly and leaves a thin lace on the glass.

S: The aroma contains dark fruit, brown sugar, caramelized malts and a faint touch of hops.

T: The taste starts out very sweet with flavors of brown sugar, caramel and dark fruit. The malt character is hearty and the hops presence is mild, but there’s a good balance considering the heavy sweetness. There’s also no trace of the high ABV unlike most Eisbocks. The after-taste is sweet.

M: Smooth and crisp, medium body, medium carbonation, finish is sticky.

O: Tasty, goes down dangerously easily, not too filling, strong kick, good representation of style, this is a nice strong beer to drink for a while if you like the heavy sweetness.

Serving type: on-tap

11-27-2011 21:40:47 | More by TheManiacalOne

Infamous7100

Ohio

4.43/5  rDev +7.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A: Pours very dark, mahogany brown into my pint glass. Very thin white head with minimal lacing.
S: Intriguing and complex. A huge malty aroma with a nice amount of dark fruits, almost like that of a Belgian Strong Dark Ale. Nice.
T: Sweet at the start, perhaps a bit too much so. A hint of smoke seems to creep in at the middle along with the fruity notes to cut the sweetness. At the back, a nice blend of the three mentioned elements, smoke, fruit and malt.
M: Very smooth, slighty thick. It's not too heavy as the look would have you believe. Finishes sweet, with a malty, fruity hang.
O: Malt bomb with the added complexity of the fruit and smoke. I really enjoyed this as it reminded me of a Belgian Dark. Great effort and worth the expensive price of the sixer. Target this.

Serving type: bottle

11-27-2011 21:12:05 | More by Infamous7100

UnknownKoger

California

3.48/5  rDev -15.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured from bottle into Bruery tulip. Appearance is dark black with hints of brownish red in the light. Well carbonated. A good sized head dwindles down to a thin layer. Smell is sweet. Fruit notes (fig and apple) with a slight hint of alcohol on the nose.

The taste is interesting. It's sweet up front but then a smoky maltiness follows. It's not overwhelmingly smoky like a rauchbier, but it's noticeable.

Mouthfeel is good. Fairly easy to sip

Overall it's a good beer. This is the first eisbock I've had, so I'm definitely curious to check out other beers in the area. Cheers!

Serving type: bottle

11-23-2011 01:30:57 | More by UnknownKoger

dankster

Colorado

3.65/5  rDev -11.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Brown bottle no fresh date to be found.

My first Eisbock ever!

OMG what a malt bomb this is. looks like dark red irish beer but has no hops to be found. All malt here. smells of coco and toffee by far. taste is oily and heavy on the palete. A whole new world of beer for me. overall ok but need to sample others of this style to gain more information and compare. cheers

Serving type: bottle

11-19-2011 20:52:15 | More by dankster

DarthKostrizer

California

3.25/5  rDev -21.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Look: Coco coca brown color with a 1 inch tan head and ok retention

Smell: Sweet malt that I associate with high alcohol german beers

Taste: Again very malty with notes of plums figs and dates

Mouthfeel: Medium to full body with a silkyness to it. Low carbonation

Overall: Very malty which for me is not very drinkable but still on point for the style

Serving type: bottle

10-25-2011 04:45:01 | More by DarthKostrizer

doughanson78

Washington

3.75/5  rDev -9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

11.2oz bottle poured into a snifter.

A: Deep deep blood red. Very creamy two finger light tan head with awesome retention and beautiful lacing.

S: Big dark fruits, figs, raisins, dates, cherries. Some light chocolate notes. A very bready malt coming through also.

T: Huge dark fruits upfront, and on the sweeter side. Figs, raisins, dates and a touch of cherries. A touch of chocolate and some booze. Not really an alcohol burn tho. Bready notes in the finish.

M: Very thick. Very creamy. Boozy without the burn. Medium carbonation.

O: A good beer. A tad boozy for me. Although I like that it don't burn like a lot of other boozy beers. Love the mouthfeel of Eisbock's.

Serving type: bottle

10-20-2011 01:28:27 | More by doughanson78

elNopalero

Texas

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

My first eisbock and what a boozy doozy it is. This pours a heady, bready, warm dark brown. Big malty nose with a lot of booze—that is, I can definitely smell the alcohol. It runs hot, but not horribly so. A slow sipper. Let it warm. Picking up a lot of stone fruits with each subsequent taste. Dried stone fruits. Figs, plums and above all dates. Sweet and strong, like a dessert wine.

Serving type: bottle

10-18-2011 19:40:11 | More by elNopalero

Stockfan42

Massachusetts

4.2/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a very dark body with a brown tint. A creamy and sticky head that sticks to the glass.

Smells of dark fruits, roasted malts, coffee and a hint of cocoa or a light chocolate.

Taste of dark fruits, figs and raisens, a heavy malt presence as well. A hint of chocolate. Flavors really come to life as it warms up. A bit of a boozy kick as well.

This beer is very creamy and goes down pretty smoothly. A little bit of a boozy aftertaste but isnt overpowering the dark fruits and malts.

Overall this is a great beer. My first time trying an Eisbock (that I can remember anyway) and if this is a good representation of that style then I expect i'll be looking to try others.

Serving type: bottle

10-08-2011 00:20:00 | More by Stockfan42

Stinkypuss

Pennsylvania

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

Kulmbacher Eisbock

Appearance: Mahogany body with a creamy dense foam cap and lots of bubbles. Good clarity.

Smell: Fruity and barleywine like. Lots of malt, being that its essentially concentrated bock, that makes sense. Alcohol and sugary sweet.

Taste: Big malt, somewhat fruity, strong. A healthy dose of sweetness and alcohol is very present and lasting into the finish. At its best, the malt flavor can mimic toffee, chocolate and brown sugar. Alot of fusel alcohol is present as well. Though tasty, this is serious stuff.

Mouthfeel: Very smooth, chewey, syrupy, lingering, and warming.

Overall: A fine depiction of an Eisbock. Malty, pleasing in its ways, yet ass kicking through and through.

Serving type: bottle

09-23-2011 05:26:17 | More by Stinkypuss

TheBeerCarl

Idaho

4.2/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Appearance: dark opaque rootbeer brown with a decent amount of yellow brown head that lingers for a while.

Smell: brown sugar, heat, malt and light molasses.

Taste: earthy malt character, caramel and a slight bitterness. A lot of residual sugar.

Mouthfeel: Tiny sharp carbonation on the front of the tongue that then lingers across the palette and is washed away with the smooth sugars.

Overall: Pretty decent Eisbock but lacks some complexity.

Serving type: bottle

09-07-2011 01:58:10 | More by TheBeerCarl

bmwats

Louisiana

3.93/5  rDev -4.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured from a 33 cl bottle into a tulip.

A: Black. Pours a one finger, bubbly, brown-white head. Settles pretty quickly leaving only a trace of its former self. No lacing to speak of.

S: Roasted malt, caramel, molasses, and a bit of tea leaf.

T: Robust syrupy malt character, molasses, and black licorice.

M: Thick, sweet-ish and syrupy with a dry bittersweet finish. The bittersweet pungency coats the palette and sticks around throughout. High alchohol profile.

D: Sip to enjoy best. The nature of this can be a bit cloying.

Atmosphere is ok. Body is very dark, a mediocre head, and no lacing. Nose is a full combination of malt and sweet components. Flavor is robust and malty with a heavy bittersweet component. Overall, this is a good quaff.

Serving type: bottle

09-03-2011 03:16:07 | More by bmwats

Herky21

Iowa

4.22/5  rDev +2.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Serving: Bottle poured into a Celebrator cylinder style glass with stem.

Appearance: Wonderfully burnt caramel color. It's dark, has a good head that sticks to the sides of the glass as you drink. Is clearly a beer of dark malts with a syrupy, classy look.

Smell: Malt pops. The alcohol is especially present, and given the abv it makes sense. It's a subtle malt scent though, carries a bit of that sharp hop edge on the nose.

Taste: Earthy nuttiness throughout. The alcohol adds a nice brun to the finish. Bitter on the palate, but in a good way. In one word I'd say it's an especially earthy beer and the malt characteristics are pronounced.

Mouthfeel: A lot of carbonation. I think this sort of couples with the alcohol to really spike your tongue. It's one of the most noticeable features of the beer and lightens it up well.

Overall: what a good beer. It was earthy, tasty, and has a great body. I'd highly recommend it.

Comments: This was a staff pick at BeerCrazy, Urbandale, IA (homebrew/Beer afficianado type place). It was a good pick, and with staff picks, that certainly doesn't happen all of the time. I really liked the complexity of the beer and to my knowledge that's what a bock, or an Eisbock in this case, should be.

Serving type: bottle

08-28-2011 01:36:35 | More by Herky21

Hachiman

Japan

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

Impressively dark reddish brown for a bock. Short-lived beige head. Beautiful lacing.

Smell is of brown bread, dark-roasted malt, coffee.

Flavors of dark malt sweetness, slightly bitter roasted grain, and an heady and throaty alcohol note that was not harsh at all. Very tasty.

As one would expect, heavier than a regular bock, a bit slippery though, perhaps needed a bit more carbonation.

Serving type: bottle

08-26-2011 22:19:53 | More by Hachiman

bamadog

Kentucky

4.33/5  rDev +5.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Review is from notes taken on 8/13/2011 and poured from the bottle to a pint glass.

Appearance: Pour is a deep, dark, mahogany and cola brown; starts with a decent 1 and 1/2 finger tan head; although the body is very dark, it isn't opaque, and where the light penetrates it appears to be very clear and free of sediment; shows moderately strong carbonation; head fades fairly quickly to a thin and uneven skim with a thick, lone wisp of lacing.

Smell: Lots of dark and bready, crusty malts; sweet, slightly dark and fruity aspect to it that has a bit of a candied nature to it as well; slight whiff of alcohol; I really can't get over how bread and rich the scent is.

Taste: Super solid! A great example of the style! Tons of rich and crusty bread maltiness; touch of sweet and dark fruitiness that has the same touch of candy to it like noticed in the nose; light alcohol, and for being just over 9%, I'm surprised it is this well blended.

Mouthfeel: Body is of medium weight, and the carbonation is strong and just avoids being sharp; a thick, semi-moist and sticky coating is left all over the roof of the mouth; gums are left tingly from the carbonation, as is the belly.

Overall: I can't believe I haven't reviewed this one until now. Super solid and a great example of the style. This would be a nice beer for a cool, spring evening; however, since it's available year-round, I think it would be great for the winter too. The weight may slow me down a little bit, and the ABV would certainly be a factor to consider if I wanted more than one, but it's definitely worth the purchase.

Serving type: bottle

08-14-2011 02:19:49 | More by bamadog

TheRealBigC

Nevada

3.75/5  rDev -9%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Poured from bottle into 14 oz. glass

Appears dark burgundy, not much of a head.

The smell that stands out to me is grape. Very unique smell for a beer, but not particularly alluring.

Grape definitely comes through in the flavor as well. Some other sweet flavors come through, definitely no hop flavor. Again, for a high-alcohol beer, it's quite drinkable, although as others have said, it'll creep up on you.

Unfortunately I tried this one after having tried the Schneider Aventius Eisbock. This is still a good beer, and benefits from a different set of noticeable aromas and flavors, but Aventius is simply an awesome taste experience that this one can't quite stand up to.

Serving type: bottle

08-10-2011 18:58:58 | More by TheRealBigC

AmericanGothic

Iowa

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

Poured from a 12 oz bottle into a Sam Adams pint.

A: Pours a dark copper-brown color with one finger of khaki head. Good retention and lace.

S: Sweet bread, dark fruits, a little banana and floral hops.

T: Starts with a dry bread up front that slowly changes to dry, dark fruits, then fades to roasted malt, black pepper and molasses on the end. Alcohol present on the finish but not overpowering. Overall a bit mellow but not at all bland.

M: Not too heavy, pretty smooth, but also tingly/prickly on the tongue from the carbonation.

O: A good beer. Complexity not too high and the flavors are good. I'd buy this again.

Serving type: bottle

08-09-2011 23:05:14 | More by AmericanGothic

mdfb79

New York

3.63/5  rDev -11.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

From 08/03/11 notes. Had on tap at Rustico in Ballston. Last glass of the keg poured into a tulip.

a - Pours a deep brown color with a reddish tint, one inch of light tan head and moderate carbonation evident.

s - Smells of bready malts, fruit, carmael malts, light alcohol.

t - Tastes of bready malts, caramel malts, fruity malts, and some lightly musty notes.

m - Medium body and low carbonation, very smooth and creamy body. Very nice.

o - Overall a decent beer. Not my favorite, but a really nice mouthfeel and pretty easy to drink. Woudl give another shot.

Serving type: on-tap

08-09-2011 19:29:18 | More by mdfb79

jdense

Oregon

3.15/5  rDev -23.5%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Beer 17 sampled at Eastern Oregon DONG (Dudes of Northwest Grog) "We Will Bock You!" tasting @ Barley Brown's, 8.6.11. Last of the trio of Eisbocks, thank god.

Medium brown head with some reddish highlights, tan head, no visible carbonation with quick dissipation and minimal lacing. Uh oh, another oxidized beer, notes of butt sweat and cotton candy instead of wet cardboard, some floral hops. Taste mirrors the nose, this had some noticeable complexity re turbinado sugar and floral hops that were subterfuged by the oxidation. Too bad, this was the one Eisbock that wasn't so fricking boozy as to be almost undrinkable. On a positive note, I might try this as some future date, but for the foreseeable future, no Eisbocks for me.

Serving type: bottle

08-07-2011 23:45:19 | More by jdense

woodychandler

Pennsylvania

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

Bock this ship! My cellar continues to unearth crazy stuff from the past, but since I have nothing else going, this is the time to open them and send the empties on their way.

Even with a very gentle pour, I still got a finger of light-tan head, albeit rather briefly. The color is simply marvelous - a deep, dark-brown with NE-quality clarity and garnet highlights. The nose smelled of dried dark fruits, like raisins and prunes, along with a burnt caramel sweetness. Oh my! I saw where someone else drank one of these as the last thing that night and given some of my days and nights of late, this might be the last thing I would drink, ever, if I did it late in the evening. Danger, Will Robinson, danger! Proceed with caution. Mouthfeel was big and creamy with an initial burst of caramel sweetness and alcohol heat on the the tongue, subsiding into dried dark fruit. Finish was likewise initially hot, then giving way to a caramel sweetness that lingered well after the swallow. Whew! One at a time, please! Other than its drinkability, this was a phenomenal beer. I love when they get rid of that pesky water to make room for what really counts - alcohol! As it warmed, it also began to take on the scent and taste of dried tobacco, especially cigar tobacco. Wild! The more that I roll this around in my mouth and mull it over in my mind, I fully agree with the previous reviewer's, flipper2gv, assessment of it as a Quad-like beer. Well-played, sir!

Serving type: bottle

07-19-2011 16:54:54 | More by woodychandler

flipper2gv

Quebec (Canada)

4.03/5  rDev -2.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 4

Sadly my last beer from the massive trade I made with rtepiak. Thanks again!!

A: Pours brown murky color with three fingers worth of a mocha head. Retention is solid and lacing is ok.

S: Very reminiscent of a quad strangely. Makes me think a lot of Rochefort 10. Nice vanilla and milk chocolate that is nicely accentuated by molasses and caramel. Dates and figs are evident here. Strong bread characteristics. Raisins and light cherries bring a nice touch of acidity.

T: Much more roasted and/or heavily caramelised malty tastes are in this. The molasses, brown sugar, chocolate, caramel and light vanilla are in this. Some oak like tannins. Dates and figs are again very strong in this. Raisins but no cherries. Again, this make me think a lot of a Quad.

M: Not as big as expected surprisingly. Quite sticky and medium to full body. Not as smooth as expected too, the carbonation is a bit sting-y.

O: Very solid brew. Germans again showing how big taste without getting overpowering should be done. Shows a very nice amount of balance in the taste and it would have been a much better brew with a more appropriated mouthfeel.

Serving type: bottle

07-18-2011 00:56:26 | More by flipper2gv

Dster

Texas

4.2/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from 12oz bottle into pint glass.

Pours dark brown with thin tan lacing. Smells of sweet malt and alcohol.

It has a nice complex flavor. It tastes of carmel and raisins..maybe even fruit cake. It has an aftertaste of alcohol, but it is not unpleasant.

Very drinkable but not for sessioning. It makes me want to really explore this style.

Serving type: bottle

07-01-2011 04:07:35 | More by Dster

lakersfan16

Alaska

3.85/5  rDev -6.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours dark brown with a slightly tan head. Nice fruity/malty aroma. Sweet taste of caramel, dark fruits, raisins, slightly roasted malts, toasted marshmallow finish. The alcohol is surprising hidden, and it is surprisingly easy to drink, somewhat complex. Nice finish.

Serving type: bottle

06-30-2011 16:33:55 | More by lakersfan16

ColdPoncho

Ohio

3.88/5  rDev -5.8%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A - this is quite beautiful. Poured into my Jackie O's Munique glass, the beer glows a brilliant scarlet red and transforms into a deep chestnut as your eyes move up the glass toward a towering tan head.

S - dark fruits, roasted malty notes, touch of butterscotch. Smells like a nice BSDA or Quad.

T - Roasted malts, dark fruits (plums, cherries). It's quite sweet.

M - very smooth and not too highly carbonated. medium thick body, somewhat heavy. Leaves you with a mild sensation that you've just used mouthwash.

O (D) - this is really good beer. It's interesting and complex, and aside from some minor issues with being a bit sweet and the alcohol showing a bit too much, it's nearly flawless. (take this with a grain of salt, I don't know the style very well)

Serving type: bottle

06-28-2011 01:40:01 | More by ColdPoncho

jminsc76

California

3.8/5  rDev -7.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours a pink head atop a dark ruby body.

Aromas of dried bananas, a little bit of caramel, and...hmmm...is that a port quality I'm deriving?

Flavors of sweet pumpernickel, sweetbread, caramel, bananas, and burnt sugar near the end. Although not too intense, there is some mild heat at the finish as well. Drinks like a dessert beer.

The mouthfeel is light to medium-bodied, with a mild aloe-like consistency as I swish.

Overall, rich enough for one sitting, though rich it is and should be. There are moments that it's rather too sweet but I figure pairing with a mellow slice of cheesecake or perhaps a Tiramisu that isn't too obnoxious on the sugar will absorb and balance the malty nature of Kulmbacher.

Note: [Eisbocks:Lagers::Barleywines:Ales] so perhaps Eisbocks will go through a refinement period similar to what is happening to Barleywines now. You read it here first (I hope).

Serving type: bottle

06-26-2011 18:13:48 | More by jminsc76