Mönchshof Schwarzbier - Kulmbacher Brauerei AG

StevieW

Florida

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

Big 16 oz brown bottle, with fliptop. Label calls it the Black Pils. Murky dark brown color to black color. Shiny and Clear. Tight, fizzy, brown head. Moderately bitter smells. Taste is slightly toasted carmel malt. Hints of coffee bitterness. Light hop snap, much like a snappy refreshing pilsner as advertised. Dry finish, crisp and clean. Light to medium bodied, easy going down. The toasted carmel and tight bitterness matched with snappy hop finish, makes this an extremely interesting and tasty brew. Recommended.

Serving type: bottle

08-02-2003 22:39:02 | More by StevieW

Stubbie1

Connecticut

4.03/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This beer poured a dark brownish black. A mighty tan foam head topped off this Schwartz beer. This head is very persistent and did give way to a decent lace to the bottom of the glass. I noticed some cascading while pouring this black beauty.

The aroma was a bit disappointing at first. The only thing I could take in was a sweet malt smell. However, after the first sip BAM I was hit with a nice roasted malt aroma with slight tones of hops lingering in the back round.

The flavor is also very nice. It started with the roasted malt flavors, coffee, caramel, and other earthy notes. It finished off with a slight bitterness of the hops. It is slightly dry and beautifully hopped and loaded with dark roasted malt flavor.

Overall, a very nice Schwartz beer. A must for all to try.

Serving type: bottle

07-19-2003 01:31:52 | More by Stubbie1

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

shirfan

New York

4.1/5  rDev +1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pours a dark but clear shade, somewhere between mahogany and coffee. A thin, but well-lacing head sits atop the tasty goodness below. Aroma is of Riesen candy and toast.

Mouthfeel immediately makes itself known; full-bodied but smooth at the same time.

Sweet roasty malt takes center stage, with notes of buttery toast and dark chocolate. Finishes with a small hint of coffee and slides right down the throat with no hint of bitterness or burnt notes. An unmistakable lager "feel", and very drinkable, the sweetness doesn't ever go over the top... this would be an excellent choice for a stout lover on a hot day. Roasted flavor a-plenty, but none of the thick, warming power of a stout.

There are just enough hops to balance the beer, and they stay well in the background.

Overall impression: "wow, a richly malty beer that one could drink several of, even in the middle of summer".

Serving type: bottle

07-06-2003 18:09:13 | More by shirfan

marc77

California

3.65/5  rDev -9.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Gorgeous crystal clear dark garnet in hue. Topped by a beige, fluffy, well retained head that trails Belgian lace. Aroma is comprised of lightly sweet, soft nutty malt with hints of dry cocoa and subtle dark roasted grain. Trace herbal hop nose. Stately and pleasant aromawise. Mellow combination of dehusked chocolate and black malt bitterness upfront in flavor is ensued by a light toasted, bready Munich sweetness, which lingers briefly. Mild hop bitterness offsets malt sweetness promptly and complements roasted grain presence, lending a dry, bittersweet overall character. Lightly bodied and well attenuated, but appropriately so as to facilitate easy quaffing. Judiciously dextrinous. Finishes crisp, with notes of faint herbal hop and savory dry biscuit. Not complex, but well balanced and flavorful. Soft on the palate and mellow.

Serving type: bottle

05-11-2003 18:19:57 | More by marc77

BigHead

Arizona

3.13/5  rDev -22.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

A dark beer from the pour, with an aroma not largely detectable, but still had a nice roasted malt, coffee type smell. The flavor of this brew was nothing to write home about, I was expecting more and I didn't get it. The flavor reminded me more of a golden pilsner rather than the dark color would lead you to believe. I would drink it again if it was given to me.

Serving type: bottle

04-29-2003 16:49:34 | More by BigHead

BeerResearcher

Massachusetts

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

This very Black Beer is dark black coffee in color. The almost oily herbal malt is medium in body. The pleasant fruity, malty, hoppy nose is a joy to breath, though act quick, it doesn’t last. Amply hopped with Pilsner-type bittering hops. Dry yet lightly sweet with a hint of apples. Nice mix of malt and hops make for a balanced brew. Restrained yet bursting with flavors.

Serving type: bottle

04-02-2003 11:49:18 | More by BeerResearcher

fattyre

Georgia

3.73/5  rDev -7.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

This beer pours a clear dark reddish brown with a moderate rocky tan head. The mouthfeel is thin-firm. The smelll is rich roasted malt. The taste is very mild roasted malt with dry hoppy bitter finish. This is a drinkable, mild malty beer that is pretty enjoyable.

Serving type: bottle

03-29-2003 07:31:11 | More by fattyre

inebrius

Michigan

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

A ropy cream head crowns a crystal auburn brew that screams to be drunk. Nose of tin cans filled with hopped brownies. Starts like your taking a nip off a piggy bank, buds awash in metallic flavors. Fortunately these pfennigs quickly melt away to reveal a liquid malt center that soon succumbs to the juju of spicy hops. But not for long, as these same hexing hops concede to a more beguiling roastiness sporting a lanky finish. Curt and clean through the beer hose. Not quite as complex or satisfying as some--really more like a decent dunkel with some roasted malts thrown in--but still rather flavory.

Serving type: bottle

03-04-2003 18:00:47 | More by inebrius

RBorsato

Virginia

4.5/5  rDev +11.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Tawny brown with mahogany tones and a low creamy tan head whcih leaves light bits of lace. Light sweet, roasty, and hoppy aroma. Rich roasty malt flavor balanced nicely by classic european noble hops. Light bitter chocolate finish and lingering aftertaste. Light-medium bodied with a light dry finish.

Per M.J. - B.C. book: Color 55 EBC, 12.5 Plato, 1050 O.G., 26 IBU.

(16.9 oz Swingtop)

Serving type: bottle

02-25-2003 14:15:45 | More by RBorsato

NeroFiddled

Pennsylvania

3.8/5  rDev -5.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Nice appearance with a clear deep-burgundy/dark-mahogany color and a full tan head. The head dissipates shortly to a thin collar but it can be brought back up with a simple swirl of the glass, and it continues to leave spotty lace throughout the serving. The nose is limited but clean, and displays only a mildly nutty touch of caramel and some minor deep roasted malt. It doesn't do anything to draw you in, but it certainly doesn't push you away - it's simply neutral. The body is light/medium with a very fine carbonation that's gently crisp in the mouth. Again, it doesn't add to the beers character, but it doesn't detract either. The flavor, thankfully, offers more with some light toffee and caramel upfront, followed by a mildly chocolate note that dissolves into gentle roastiness and light acidity in the finish. It's dry with some lingering maltiness and a touch of leafy hops that leave you looking for more - and yet that adds to its drinkability! However, I'm not sure if there's enough there overall to make me want to ask for another...

Serving type: bottle

02-17-2003 17:13:42 | More by NeroFiddled

Gusler

Arizona

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

The beer pours a winsome deep blood red color and the head is spumescent in texture, the color a light tan and the size portly, resultant lace is a fine sheet. The nose is dominated by the malts, sweet and fresh as with the start, top is skinny in feel, the finish has a pleasant hop spicy bite with the carbonation minimal and the aftertaste bitter and long lasting, a nice representative to the style.

Serving type: bottle

02-16-2003 14:01:55 | More by Gusler

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

AudioGilz

Pennsylvania

3.63/5  rDev -10.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

This beer is very dark brown and ruby with a fluffy off-white head. This is a super smooth and mellow brew. Drinkability is way up there. Taste is mostly a mild roasted malt with a slight hint of coffee. The mouthfeel is in between thin and medium, slightly watery, making it easy to drink and refreshing. I wasn't excited while drinking this, but I was happy to have tried this smooth and refreshing "black pils."

Serving type: bottle

02-06-2003 17:44:54 | More by AudioGilz

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

RonfromJersey

New Jersey

4.38/5  rDev +8.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Sometimes you come to a beer on an unusual path. Sitting around one day with my Bud-loving, but occasional craft beer tasting, father-in-law, he started talking about a beer he used to love from a place/brewery called Kulmbacher, When I found it in the store I was stunned to see that it was a Schwarzbier, I was expecting something close to a German pils. Picked each of us up a couple.

Swingtop bottle. Black/brown body with ruby highlights. Dark ruby when held to the light. Big foamy, lumpy, tan head. Roasted malt, a little smoke in the nose. Nice rich quality on the tongue. Roasted malt, with enough subtle hop presence to avoid overt sweetness. After all that roasted malt passes on, you're left with a nice dry hop finish. I really have to drink more schwarzbiers. This and Sprechners are both wonderful. A nice alternative to porters and stouts. Definitely something I might keep a couple bottles around.

Serving type: bottle

01-10-2003 22:18:21 | More by RonfromJersey

beerluvr

New Jersey

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

This pours with a generous tan head that lasts and lasts, over dark ruby liquid...almost a dead ringer for Coca-Cola. Heavy malt presence in the nose along with some roasted grain notes too. Tasta starts off sweet, then the roasted malts come to the forefront. Luxurious mouthfeel with smooth carbonation as it's swirled in the mouth. The finish dries slightly as it goes down with minimal hop presence making an appearance here...this beer is almost on par with a light-bodied porter, the malt profile is quite similar. Very fresh sample makes this style of lager a joy to drink.

Serving type: bottle

10-14-2002 03:34:46 | More by beerluvr

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

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

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

ryanocerus

Iowa

4.35/5  rDev +7.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

I am biased as this is my favorite style of beer, but this beer served to remind me why. I loved the presentation of both the bottle and in the glass. It poured a dark amber/near black with a thick tan head. There was a very malty aroma and the carbonation filled the mouth. The malty aroma carried through into the taste, which gave way to roasty undertones. It did not have as roasty of a flavor as Sprecher, more on par with Kostritzer.

Serving type: bottle

07-18-2002 13:15:04 | More by ryanocerus

Bierman9

New Hampshire

3.98/5  rDev -1.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Tasty bier; don't know why I didn't grab one while in Kulmbach a couple of years ago.... Very dark brown, though not nearly as dark as I had expected, what with the name and all (Schwarz...duh!). Huge creamy head, with lace all over the place. Nose was a mix of some malt and bitter chocolate....pleasing! Nice over the tongue, but I felt it was a tad thin. Roasted malt flavors mix with bitter chocolate, and there's a hint of hops in the dry finish. Not bad!!

overall: 4.05
appearance: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | mouthfeel: 3.5 | drinkability: 4

136

Serving type: bottle

05-12-2002 12:54:23 | More by Bierman9

mattmaples

Oregon

4.33/5  rDev +7.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Outstanding smooth, rounded maltyness. Slight drak roasted flavor. Great beer that is very esay to drink. A touch too sweet for what I consider the perfect schwarzbier but DAMN good.

Serving type: bottle

05-08-2002 20:53:01 | More by mattmaples

Jason

Massachusetts

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

Presentation: 16.9 oz flip top brown bottle with no freshness date to be found.

Appearance: Very good lacing effect on the glass most of the way down, dark brown colour with reddish hues.

Smell: Clean aroma with some soft sweetness and vague roasted malt.

Taste: Extremely smooth and the medium sized body lays it on as think as it can forming a viscous mouth feel. Mild roasted malt flavour varying from coffee to chicory to faint charcoal but with nothing going to the point of overboard or even astringent. Hops are mild with a balancing presence and nothing else to show. Maltiness drops a splash of sweetness but the beer ends up being relatively dry with highly toasted grain flavours in the end.

Notes: A rich dark lager that holds a great smoothness and drinkability. Roasted flavours are perched perfectly on the taste buds and add a light complexity to the palate.

Serving type: bottle

05-05-2002 20:12:07 | More by Jason

ADR

Pennsylvania

4.1/5  rDev +1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Intense, deep brown color with nice head. Low carbonation makes for intense creamy malt flavors, good nutiness and dry features. Hops are barely evident, some huskiness. Very good Dark Lager, longer-lasting flavor than many. Could use a tad more complexity, and a touch thin late in the profile...its a big brewery in Germany, wish it was easier to find here.

Serving type: bottle

03-19-2002 11:28:36 | More by ADR