Mönchshof Schwarzbier - Kulmbacher Brauerei AG

Stinkypuss

Pennsylvania

3.58/5  rDev -11.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Poured from a Keg Can. A rich brown in color with a massive foamy off white head. A bunch of lacing is notable.

Smells of bready malts.

A soulful, uplifting brew with some roasted malts and nutty notes. Bitterness is there just enough to balance. Smooth and simple/

Mouthfeel is medium bodied, carbonation is very low.

Drinkable brew from the heart of Germany. Good for extended sessions.

Serving type: on-tap

01-03-2010 18:27:11 | More by Stinkypuss

BillyBoysPie

Kentucky

4.13/5  rDev +2.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at Wirsthaus Max and Moritz, Berlin. Go there if you're in Berlin.

Served in a tall pilsner-style glass. Inch of tan head, beer is black, few notes of other colors. Lots of lacing for the duration of drinking. Large pattern.

Smells like chocolate from the Black forest. Also some coffee, but not much bitterness perceived through smelling. Rich, even just smelling the beer.

As the fragrance suggests, a very rich and velvety example of the Schwarzbier. Heavy bitter chocolate and coffee. Dense, and layers of the chocolate flavors. Great fun to drink with Eisbein - pork knuckle.

Thick and delicious beer, heavy mouthfeel, but not syrupy. I prefer this from the tap as opposed to from the bottle.

Great schwarzbier. Worth trying.

Serving type: on-tap

11-16-2009 00:48:08 | More by BillyBoysPie

Vengeance526

Louisiana

3.75/5  rDev -7.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours a dark black color with a rich tan head that holds up very well and leaves a lot of lacing behind.

Smells of roasted malt with a touch of chocolate.

Taste is mostly similar to the smell with a distinct roasty profile with notes of chocolate and caramel. The taste is a little watered down and not as strong and lively as the aroma.

Medium bodied with a fairly smooth mouthfeel but feels a little watered down. Overall pretty solid, worth a try and an easy drinker.

Serving type: on-tap

08-17-2009 08:35:10 | More by Vengeance526

TLove

District of Columbia

3.58/5  rDev -11.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

(From Notes)

On tap at Pizza Paradiso in Georgetown, D.C.

Dark, shiny, opaque black with deep tan head and fizzy retention. Great, yeasty, chocolate smell with a decent amount of spicy flavors and coffee. Strong and grainy for a supposed black pils. Smooth and a little too sweet, but decent carbonation and good body.

Sweet, tart, and a tad bitter, but for the most part pretty drinkable and well-structured.

Serving type: on-tap

07-19-2009 23:59:57 | More by TLove

drunkboxer1

Texas

3.95/5  rDev -2.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Had out of a plastic mug, served from a part keg at an outdoor concert. Pours a deep dark brown with a thick tan head. I guess I should rate this down since its not black like the style suggests, but it looks nice so I'm not. Smells roasty, and of dark chocolate. First thing I noticed about how it tastes is that it has a earthy, somewhat metallic character to it. Not what I expected but I like it. Chocolate and roasted flavors dominate. Creamy head, but sharp, highly effervescent finish. I liked this beer. The earthy character makes it stand out I guess.

Serving type: on-tap

06-07-2009 04:18:16 | More by drunkboxer1

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

hustlesworth

Ohio

4.15/5  rDev +2.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

picked up the mini keg at a nearby world market.

A- looks striking in an english pint glass with a puffy, very bubbled tan head with lots of pock marks and pits. lace is amazing as well as globby fingers of spit bubble lace reach up toward a denser crusty ring beneath the lip where the foam used to be. excellent retention thanks to the killian horse etched into my glass. nice clear dark chestnut brown body is bloody red by incandescent light with golden highlights. a real good looker.

S- right away toasty biscuit and sweet/tart ripe red berries and tomato soup. a very roasted tomato with italian spices and salty chocolate come out of the toastiness with an extremely soft sweet grain background. its like tart, sweet, chocolate and biscuit all come together in such a fashion that it takes on a savory cocoa/vegetable/grain aroma. hops are on the spicy side and only play a minor role.

T- dark chocolate, dark fruits in bitter molasses and weak acidic coffee. hops are earthy and robust this time and they move very nicely with the other roasted dark flavors. hops get a little herbal near the end as flavors clean up leaving cocoa powder bitterness and burnt grains.

MF- i've only had a few different schwarzbiers and i'm still amazed that such an intensely flavored dark beer is still so light in body. or i should say "not heavy". it is almost full, and very juicy, with timid carbonation that sprinkles the palate just enough to move things around. powdery feel with long lasting coffee feeling, mildly acidic.

D- i'm glad i have 5 liters of this stuff cuz it's good beer. and thanks to it's "lightness", very drinkable as well.

Serving type: on-tap

11-13-2008 05:42:43 | More by hustlesworth

JDV

Texas

1.58/5  rDev -60.9%
look: 3 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 1.5 | overall: 1.5

On tap at HopLeaf
Pours a clear dark copperish color with light lacing and head. Smell is like band-aids and malt. Taste is roasty but very thin and watery. Almost old and stale tasting. Just a mess. Wouldn't recommend this based on my sample of this beer at all.

Serving type: on-tap

06-30-2008 19:35:50 | More by JDV

DaPeculierDane

Wisconsin

3.68/5  rDev -8.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Dark brown body with reddish-amber hues and healthy, lasting lacing. Aroma is clean and light with notes of roasted malt and sweetish Munich maltiness. Tastes particularly smooth and easy going for the style with moderately strong flavors of burnt malt, even charcoal, and chicory. Some nuttiness. Medium bodied with hops that balance the malt well leaving a relatively dry finish. Easy to drink in large doses. A solid beer. On Tap At Maduro.

Serving type: on-tap

04-09-2008 19:14:26 | More by DaPeculierDane

fitzy84

Massachusetts

4.13/5  rDev +2.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This beer had an amberish-black color to it with an overall medium head. The aromas were permeating the sweet smells of caramel and wheat with a roasty feel. The taste was a mix of fruity wheat and and bitterish hop greatness. It was thick, and full bodied, yet surprisingly light, making it a great beer to try out if you do not like heavy drinks. Overall, this was very good.

Serving type: on-tap

02-19-2008 03:53:10 | More by fitzy84

Gambrinus1184

Connecticut

4.15/5  rDev +2.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Poured from a 5 liter party keg into an SA pint glass.

A: Poured a very dark brown amber with rich ruby highlights and a two-finger head of creamy foam.

S: Smells lightly hopped and a bit nutty in regard to the malt. Pretty clean smelling and sweet.

T: Great combination of lightly toasted malts, sweet caramel tones and cleansing hops that add a nice little shock of bittersweetness. It's very light drinking for a dark beer, which ups the drinkability by leaps and bounds.

M: Mouthfeel is light to medium bodied and very crisp for a dark beer. Not what I was expecting.

D: At a shade under 5% ABV, and with a great light body and flavor, this one is dangerously drinkable and a world class session brew.

I recommend the party keg of it also, because in the highly unlikelihood that you don't finish it, it's there the next day. Very consistent taste and pour all evening. May the Schwarz be with you!

Serving type: on-tap

01-14-2008 04:21:44 | More by Gambrinus1184

ChainGangGuy

Georgia

3.68/5  rDev -8.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance: Pours a dark brown body with mahogany-hued edges and a full, frothy head.

Smell: Soft aroma of roasted malt with hints of milk chocolate, dark caramel, and fruit.

Taste: Dark maltiness with enough roasty hints and dark caramel to bolster this humble lager. Light touch of chocolate and fruit. Mild hoppiness with very little imparted bitterness, but enough to clean up the finish.

Mouthfeel: Medium-thin body. Medium carbonation.

Drinkability: A fairly easy-drinking, competent schwarzbier.

Serving type: on-tap

12-28-2007 21:22:48 | More by ChainGangGuy

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

beergynt

Illinois

4.75/5  rDev +17.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

On tap at Bavarian Lodge in Lisle... Served in a Mönchsof mug (0.3L, I think), Beautiful dark molassas colored beer. Help up to the light, it reminded me of root beer. Just enough head for full coverage with little to no lacing. I loved the smell of this beer! Light and sweet roasty malt and a nice nuttiness that reminded me of hazelnuts... I love the taste even more! Perhaps it was complimented by the delicious roast duck tenders that arrived at the same time, but this just seemed almost too refreshing for a beer with it's dark color. Maltiness up front, mixing with the hazelnut mid palatte, finishing clean with noble hops... My mouth was very happy with me for choosing this beer. Smooth and refreshing; velvety and clean at once... I would love to have this beer again and again... Next time I think I'll get a liter!

Serving type: on-tap

09-16-2007 16:45:43 | More by beergynt

MrMcGibblets

Illinois

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

was lucky enough to have this on-tap in it's own branded mug at chef paul's in lisle. almost black in color but with nice clarity if held up to the light, this had a smoky, roasty, sweet malt aroma which was not off-putting...actually, if this were not summer i probably would have given it higher marks in the smell dept. hard to judge in that respect as i'm usually not partial to smoky, dark roasty aromas/flavors. this had a nice malt sweetness that was balanced out by the dark roasty flavors and finished crisp. nice mouthfeel and drinkability is through the roof for such a complex beer that weighs in at under 5%.

Serving type: on-tap

08-24-2007 03:39:41 | More by MrMcGibblets

Viggo

Ontario (Canada)

4.47/5  rDev +10.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

On tap at Goodbar in Buffalo.

Pours a clear dark brown/red, almost black, very thick tan head, tons of lace, great retention, looks good. Smell is sweet, very malty, nice roast, figs, dark fruit, toffee, raisins, bready, bit of smoke and a touch of iron, fantastic aroma. Taste is very malty, toffee and figs, sweet raisiny middle, malty like a good doppelbock with that hint of roast, very nice. Mouthfeel is medium to full bodied, low carbonation, awesome beer. Maybe the fullest body I've ever felt on a 5%~ beer, not cloying at all, just thick and malty. Excellent!

Serving type: on-tap

07-09-2007 21:33:00 | More by Viggo

biegaman

Ontario (Canada)

4.43/5  rDev +9.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A solid white head that persist. A deep brown colour, bordering black. The aroma is like an eisbock, so full of malts! It carries the complex nuances of a barleywine or strong Belgian, with hints of raisons, figs, dark fruit and an abundance of dates. A good smoky (tobacco like) character of smoke. The body is thick and malty like a dopplebock with a good deal of roasted barley. The smoke character ties all the flavours together well. Fairly light bodied considering how much there is going on... really impressed.
Special thanks to Amanda at Goodbar for the sample!

Serving type: on-tap

05-23-2007 17:45:01 | More by biegaman

pacond

Florida

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

Poured into a tall 16oz mug with Monchshoff logo on it

Poured a cola like color, you can see through it, but it is black. Nice big thick head, good carbonation but it goes away soon.

I can smell the malty aromas, real toasty. But there is a sweetness to this brew.

Tastes really malty, with a sweetness to it. The beverage is well balanced and very drinkable. Nice roasted malt flavors, not too strong. The mouthfeel is right on. Others in the style I have had are thin and have a strong alcohol presence. But this is not thin or thick and is very drinkable.

Serving type: on-tap

05-21-2007 21:14:45 | More by pacond

granger10

Wisconsin

4.47/5  rDev +10.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Brown almost cola color with a medium light tan head. Lots of lacing.

Aroma was slightly roasted coffee and lots of toasted grains. A small peppery hop sensation creeps in as well.

Taste was decent when cold but really opened as the beer warmed. A strong maltiness holds the base of this beer. Hops are noticeable but moreso as a balancing act rather than imparting any particular flavor or extra bitterness. Toffee and caramel are the most prevalent flavors. Slight nuttyness expands as it warms. Finish is drying with a slight coffee and grain flavor. Short but I like it.

Not nearly as acidic or rough as the other Schwarzbiers I have tried. Body is slightly lighter than I was expecting but that made for easy comsuption and smoother drinkability. It also let all the flavors out to the forefront and there were no mistakes to this brew.

Not the most complex but dangerous easy to consume.

Serving type: on-tap

04-06-2006 20:55:46 | More by granger10

ppoitras

Massachusetts

3.9/5  rDev -3.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Enjoyed on tap at the Moan & Dove.

Presented in a tall Mönchshof mug. A 3/4" tan head over the clear dark brown brew, with heavy sticky lacing. Aroma is minimal of dark grains. Taste is dark malts upfront, with moderate bitterness coming in the middle, and setting up shop, with both carrying through to the aftertaste. Mouthfeel and drinkability were both very good, this would be big time sessionable.

Serving type: on-tap

03-19-2006 23:45:29 | More by ppoitras

twelvsies

Maine

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

Really like this beer. I'm not really well versed in the Germans category and I don't drink a lot of this style, so this was a great change for me. Appears a dark brown almost black coffee color and murky, with a bit of creamy head on top. Smells of pale malts, dust, and mustyness. The dusty mustyness definately comes through in the taste and blends perfectly with the nutty malts and creamy milky flavors. Really a pretty complex beer if you ask me. Excellent creamy mouthfeel and a nice semi-dry finish. I got this beer at the Moan and Dove on a whim and since then I've been getting it again and again. Great session beer, great overall beering experience.

Serving type: on-tap

03-08-2005 22:16:42 | More by twelvsies

UnionMade

Colorado

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

Had this at Stammtisch, where it was listed as Monschof Black Pils.
The beer is a clear umber black, vaguely brown, topped with a thin mist of head. Head dissipates into a thin ring, but lasts throughout the pint.
Aroma is semi-roasty, with a sweetness, rather than bitter chocolate. Smoothly grainy. Hints of fig and caramel, with some light hoppy spiciness poking through. Very, very clean.
Flavor is mainly roasted malt, with a touch of fig, caramel, and very light chocolate. Super clean. A bit of spicy hops in the finish, with a bit of herbal quality. No aftertaste. Light bodied, with small bubbled carbonation. Very drinkable and tasty.

Serving type: on-tap

09-15-2003 22:46:32 | More by UnionMade

kaszeta

New Hampshire

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

Sampled at the 2003 AOBF: Stammtisch

It's been a *long* time since I've had a schwarzbier, and I'm glad I had a chance to sample this one. It pours with a deep, deep black color and a thick tan head, almost like a stout. The aroma was that of a nicely roasted malt, with a bit of chocolate and nuttiness. It's a bit sharp on the mouthfeel, mostly due to a bit of carbonation. The taste is quite pleasant, with a well-rounded nuttiness and a sweet malty aftertaste. Very pleasant, and very drinkable.

Serving type: on-tap

09-15-2003 19:48:24 | More by kaszeta

bierman2000

Pennsylvania

4.85/5  rDev +20%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

The beer was enjoyed at the brewery in Kulmbach the best black beer in the world IMO!
Rich dark brown head that lasted throughout the half liter glass as the maltiness was very present and roasty.
It was very refreshing and went well with the Nurnberger sausages if you're in Bavaria also a must to eat with spicy mustard. Mouthfeel smooth and silky which leads to it being highly drinkable as well as a low ABV.

Serving type: on-tap

07-10-2003 09:52:06 | More by bierman2000

PatandDavid

Massachusetts

4.53/5  rDev +12.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Had this on tap at Redbones and was very impressed!

Rich dark mahogany in color, nice head, but it faded a bit quickly. The aroma was a mixture of malty-fruitiness.

David refered to the taste as 'Aventinus meets Salvator.'

I found it very fresh, very mild, very Germanic. I mean that the beer was so fresh and tasty, it was like I was drinking it in Germany...the beer had been handled very well.

Again, the taste was very mild. It was not sweet (yay!), and the carbonation was just right, not over the top at all. The malt flavor was there, but the body was so smooth, not cloying at all.

The drinkability of this beer was awesome. Would get again in a second. pat

Serving type: on-tap

07-10-2003 05:51:00 | More by PatandDavid