Mönchshof Schwarzbier - Kulmbacher Brauerei AG

cokes

Wisconsin

3.23/5  rDev -20%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Dark burgundy in color, with a sizeable tan head which fades somewhat quickly to a skimming.
Deep sniffs produced very little in the aroma dept. Black malts are about the only thing to be notice. Maybe a touch of carmel sweetness.
Everything about the taste seems tentative. Starts with non-assertive carmel/toffee flavors, followed by timid black malts. Wimpy chocolate hues dance on the periphery, too afraid to enter. Finished with some passive hops, that don't add much character.
Body is similarily weak. Watery, and passive.
On a plus note, it is very simple to drink and not think about. There's nothing offensive here, just nothing memorable.

Afterword: I let this sit for about 30 minutes. Upon returning, some roasty tones settled into both the aroma and taste. There wasn't much beer left, so I'll have to stand by the ratings I posted. But it seems like a better bet at room temp...still pretty average.

Serving type: bottle

10-01-2002 19:26:54 | More by cokes

packetknife

Idaho

3.25/5  rDev -19.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Deep auburn with an off-white frothy head that held if uneven. A very slight bit foggy which wasn't expected. A very oat-bread sort of smell to it with some citrus at the end of each whiff. Not too sweet with good hoppiness on the finish. Almost dry but not quite. Not really memorable though with a bit too much carbonation. Alright drinkability.

Serving type: bottle

06-06-2005 00:36:47 | More by packetknife

rarbring

Sweden

3.28/5  rDev -18.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

The beer is red brown with a tan head leaving some lacing.

The smell has toasted malt and some chocolate aromas.

Initially rather sweet, brown syrup, some sour fruit notes, a slightly bitter finish.

Medium high carbonation, small lively bubbles, a medium body, rather refreshing.

An accessible beer.

Serving type: bottle

02-09-2011 20:29:23 | More by rarbring

aracauna

Georgia

3.35/5  rDev -17.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

The body is dark and clear with a very light tan head. Some raisin and molasses under light roasty malt. A thin bitter short finish with slight sourness. Not really impressive.

Serving type: on-tap

08-30-2002 20:08:06 | More by aracauna

hotstuff

Indiana

3.35/5  rDev -17.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

When this beer was poured into my glass, it poured a very small tan head with fine-small bubbles that quickly diminished. This beer had good lacing and I observed some carbonation with this beer. The body was clear and the hue was dark brown. The mouthfeel was light-medium and smooth. The nose was a bit citrusy and malty. The flavor was roasty and somewhat burnt.

Serving type: bottle

07-12-2003 10:06:01 | More by hotstuff

beerguy101

California

3.43/5  rDev -15.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Black color. Head is medium sized, white and foamy. Aroma is chocolate and toffee. A medium bodied schwarzbier. Malts are roasted and choclately with hints of toffee. Hops are slightly spicy, Nice subtle, milder tasting Schwartz. Mouthfeel is full and round. Finish is clean and dry. Aftertaste is slightly bitter.

Serving type: bottle

10-10-2003 02:33:51 | More by beerguy101

Erdinger2003

Iowa

3.43/5  rDev -15.1%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Pours a regular finger width head that receeds and keeps a good lacing.

It smells like really good coffee and dark chocolate flavors, such as you would find in a sweet european chocolate with french coffee.

Tastes almost like a coffee stout, but lighter. Has an aftertaste like I've just chewed on a coffee bean, not strong, but apparent. Tastes malty, but with only a slight hint of hops at first taste.

Feels like a light beer in your mouth and goes down farel well.

Serving type: bottle

12-07-2005 02:26:55 | More by Erdinger2003

Douberd

Netherlands

3.43/5  rDev -15.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

500 ml bottle, at home. Poured into a lager glass. ABV 4,9%.

Very dark brown colour, semi-transparent once held against a light source, two fingers of off-white head with average retention and lots of activity in the glass.
Smell of dark roasted malts and coffee, very pleasant.
Taste follows very close the smell, lots of roasted malts and coffee, slighty bitterness.
Low carbonation and light to medium on the body.
A nice alternative to a lager.

Serving type: bottle

12-25-2012 22:28:38 | More by Douberd

feloniousmonk

Minnesota

3.48/5  rDev -13.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Clear, toffee-toned appearance, with a thick, full, frothy head.
Aroma, nuttiness is foremost, a bit of coffee, and caramel.
Taste: Brisk, neat little hops, fading quickly into lush malty bed. Flavor continues as a nutty, caramelly thing, nice and tasty, but nothing too fabulous, not unseating any king of the schwarzbier throne with this one, no, sir.
Biscuity, toasty malt, well-appreciated, but not too spectacular. High in carbonation, fizzy, creamy, tasty, just enough.
A decent roll in the hay, but not a beer I'd give a second phone call to, unless I was desperate.

Serving type: bottle

05-04-2004 08:25:17 | More by feloniousmonk

gueuzeonhigh

Maine

3.48/5  rDev -13.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured a mahogany brown topped by a slight but enduring head.
Some mild lacing coated the walls of my glass.
A slight almost insignificant nose eminated from the brew. Hints, only tiny hints of toasted malt characterized the fragrance of this brew.

Flavor was slight. Once again the whisper of toasted malt comingled with a bit of tempering hops. Much of what I expect from a pils seemed to be missing. A bit of fizz here and there to wake my taste buds.

Despite the shallow pils character, this beer is quite enjoyable as it doesn't seem to be heavily alcohol laden and it's non-descript flavor makes for a mild but refreshing beverage.

Otherwise, in my opinion, there are more "definite" pils to be enjoyed.

Serving type: bottle

06-26-2004 01:10:22 | More by gueuzeonhigh

becktone

Ohio

3.48/5  rDev -13.9%
look: 2.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Out of a 5 liter keg.

Eye: Dark brown in color with some of the most beautiful undertones I've ever seen-pinkish dark red brown. Since I'm drinking this out of a 5 liter keg that I tapped last night, I didn't expect to have great head retention or formation today. Last night however, it had great formation and retention

Nose: Full of aromas. Malty sweet, burnt, roasted, and huge smokiness create the aroma profile of this brew. No hop aroma as can be expected.

Tongue: Nice roasty and smoked flavor. Also a lot of sweet malt flavors, bitterness seems to come more from the burnt/roasted grains.

Mouthfeel and Drinkability: This is a beer I'd drink again, though I think it would've been much better had I drained this keg in one day as opposed to letting it sit over night. It's lost quite a bit of its carbonation. I'd really like to try it from the bottle. Feels clean in the mouth with a medium-light body. This is an easy drinking beer that makes for a good session beer.

Serving type: can

05-06-2007 16:59:28 | More by becktone

smcolw

Massachusetts

3.48/5  rDev -13.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 3.5

Huge head (3/4 of 16 oz glass) that becomes rocky after about two minutes. Long lasting. Excellent lace. Brown color, but clear enough for light to shine through.

Dark, almost bark-like aromas. Very close to an extremely dry stout in smell.

Surprisingly thin body and a relatively high carbonation. Black patent malt flavors makes for a bitter beer. Some light hop.

On the bottle, this beer refers to itself as the black pilsner. In that realm, this matches the profile superbly. However, for my tastes, I prefer fuller bodied beers with more complex flavors.

Serving type: bottle

08-12-2007 21:57:12 | More by smcolw

Absumaster

Netherlands

3.48/5  rDev -13.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

A very dark brown beer, almost black with a big, creamy head.

Smell is roasted and has some light molasses. A good maltiness and some leather notes. The yeast adds a light sulfuric smell.

Taste is mild burned with coffee notes and a light maltbitter. The malt is also present and is light and fresh. A typical bottom fermented beer with a clean profile. This really tastes like a colored lager. Body is quite thin and could be a little bigger.

Serving type: bottle

11-18-2007 13:38:48 | More by Absumaster

botham

Illinois

3.48/5  rDev -13.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

on tap at the Maproom in Chicago. pours a dark garnet brown color, almost black, with three fingers of healthy tan head that leaves solid lacings and has good retention.

aroma is lightly roasted with a touch of grain and a note of lightly breaded yeast and floral undertones. a touch of cream is present as well.

taste follows the aroma, with a crisp quality and smoothness that is quite nice. a watered down quality hurts the overall impression.

mouthfeel is light bodied with a lightly creamy texture and a watery feel throughout.

drinkability is decent; a bit thin on the palate and not rich enough to sustain the solid quality that a schwarzbier should have. still, it is well crafted for what it is.

Serving type: on-tap

05-12-2009 02:24:34 | More by botham

Bunnyhop

Georgia

3.5/5  rDev -13.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A clear, dark reddish-brown Schwarzbier with a moderate rocky tan head. It smells like roasted malt. At first I taste the malt, then the roastedness, with a bitter coffee-like finish. The body was thin to firm in my mouth. Overall, I found this an okay Schwarzbier, but not extraordinary.

This beer came in a 1pt. 9 fl. oz. "flip top" bottle.

(source: Habersham Discount Beverage; Savannah, GA)

Serving type: bottle

02-12-2003 15:21:47 | More by Bunnyhop

Suds

Pennsylvania

3.53/5  rDev -12.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

With a medium-sized, stable, creamy head, this beer has a dark, nearly black color. The taste is a robust coffee-like bitterness, sometimes like cooking chocolate….dry. Smell is roasted malts. Very nice bitter aftertaste. Little hop smell or character.

Serving type: bottle

08-10-2002 19:27:55 | More by Suds

yen157

New Jersey

3.53/5  rDev -12.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Not a bad black beer. Looks exactly like Coca-Cola (except for the head) when poured. Malty nose and appropriate sweetness. Once again, not a bad example of a black beer.

[500 ml swingtop]

Serving type: bottle

09-13-2002 05:47:47 | More by yen157

Rudgers73

New York

3.53/5  rDev -12.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Served at the Tap and Mallet in a stein.

It pours a black (duh) color with a light tan fluffy head. The head is sort of retentive, but there isn't much to keep it aloft since the carbonation is quite mild. The aroma is dry, mild hops, and toasted. The flavor is much the same with very faint watered down caramel notes mild hops and rye toast that keeps it short and sweet with every sip. The mouthfeel is good, not much residual sweetness or char. This provides a decent drinkability. The only thing that would eventually draw me away from this one would be boredom.

Serving type: on-tap

11-20-2007 22:41:44 | More by Rudgers73

Gmann

New York

3.53/5  rDev -12.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a very very dark brown color with a nice creamy white head that left plenty of clingy lacing on the glass. The aroma is of sweet caramel and fermented red grapes. The taste is of a watery milk chocolate, similar to Nestles Quik. There is also a raisin & carob presence. The roasted malt is very light and does not add much flavor to the brew. The feel is light with soft carbonation; finishes sweet and slightly sticky. A very average swarzbier. I was hoping for more of a roasted malt presence. I always question the freshness of these German brews that I get, perhaps this was on the older side. I still prefer the Sam Adams or Sprecher Schwarzbiers.

Serving type: bottle

01-09-2010 05:17:06 | More by Gmann

cilldalua

New York

3.53/5  rDev -12.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

As a European living in NY how did I have to wait until I was in Mexico city to find this?

I am not saying it is the best beer in the world but it is really good so shame on NY and particularly the German pubs for holding out on us.

Anyway on to the beer. Pours a very nice coffee color with a good head that goes on to the end. The smell is all coffee which is a recurring theme but with lots of malt behind it. The taste is coffee again but its very level, certainly not overpowering. Its much lighter then it looks but it does linger on the tongue. All in all, you could spend a day in spring or autumn drinking these with no regrets.

Serving type: bottle

01-27-2010 02:18:30 | More by cilldalua

david18

New York

3.53/5  rDev -12.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

I just happened upon a bottle of this at a bar. I liked this beer a lot and would recommend it to anyone who tries it but I would not call it a Schwartzbier. It's a little too malty, aromatically and flavor wise, to be that style but it is none the less a very interesting beer with a great smokey and malty aroma and flavor.

Serving type: bottle

03-30-2010 21:29:04 | More by david18

Stunner97

New Jersey

3.55/5  rDev -12.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Appear- dark brown to black, though dark can still be seen through, small white to tan head decipates quickly, decent amount of bubbles travel up glass

Smell- Burnt and roasted malts with definite espresso and dark malt notes

Taste- Decently thin bodied beer with lots of malts and slight coffee notes, slightly bitter and little bit of hops, an almost smokey style finish lingers in ur mouth

Mouthfeel- light and soft, thin bodied

Drinkability- Highly drinkable, very light and easily a sessionable choice, I personally wasnt that blown away with this beer and definitely not one I would go for again but i can definitely appreciate how drinkable this one would be for many

Serving type: bottle

02-24-2009 20:14:24 | More by Stunner97

Rennpferd

Wisconsin

3.55/5  rDev -12.1%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

It poured dark brown with a black core. It had a one finger white head. It quickly retreated down to a lacing.

It had a very sweet malt scent. It was had a very lite floral hop accent.

It had a very smooth malt flavor. There was a slightly dry hop finish. It was medium bodied, and it was refreshing.

It was a drinkable beer. I liked it. I could drink a few in a sitting.

Serving type: bottle

04-06-2009 04:01:26 | More by Rennpferd

jdense

Oregon

3.55/5  rDev -12.1%
look: 2.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

PIB 7.17.2010 bottle version.

One finger light tan head, medium dissipation with good lacing. Clear dark amber body, no visible carbonation, a very light hue for the style IMHO. Nose features some raisins, sweet malt with some roast for balance, floral hop notes, a very interesting nose. Taste is sweetish, not as much roast presence as the nose would suggest. Mouthfeel is a bit sweet and sticky. Drinkability is OK, but a bit too sweet for the style and certainly not dark enough to be attractive. I was a bit disappointed in this, but after having Moonlight's excellent Death and Taxes, it's hard to measure up in this interesting category.

Serving type: bottle

07-19-2010 17:49:20 | More by jdense

kunzbrew

Massachusetts

3.58/5  rDev -11.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

This brew pours a dark ruby color with a nice creamy tan head that leaves a fine bubble lace behind. Malt hits the nose pretty nice, with little very little hop smell. The first sample brings a earthy taste with a malt taste mixed in. Caramel malt is present but not to strong. This is not a bad beer but hopefully it may grow on me.

Cheers

Serving type: bottle

01-27-2003 16:58:58 | More by kunzbrew