Köstritzer Schwarzbier - Köstritzer Schwarzbierbrauerei GmbH & Co.

dar482

New York

4.23/5  rDev +8.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

My first schwarzbier since having Krusovice Cerne, one of my favorite beers from years back.

It comes in a dark, dark brown color with a tan head.

The aroma has a sweet roasted malt and some dark fruits.

The taste has caramel sweet roasted malt and a clean wonderful finish. There's a good hop bitterness in there as well and makes it really exceptional. I compare it to the Erdinger Weissbier Dunkel and obviously Krusovice Cerne.

Wonderful flavor, drinkability, and finish.

Serving type: on-tap

04-29-2013 20:26:28 | More by dar482

sgwagner

Wisconsin

4.7/5  rDev +20.2%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75

When it comes to German Schwarzbier, Koestritzer sets the standard. The color is a deep black, with a dark brown, thick head. The body is lighter than the color would suggest, with light caramel and smokey flavors, well balanced by just the right amount of hop bitterness.

This is often my go-to lager when I'm in the mood for something dark.

Serving type: on-tap

04-04-2013 17:33:05 | More by sgwagner

Bouleboubier

Pennsylvania

4.18/5  rDev +6.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

One of the more (appropriately) excellent German black beers.

The fairly dense and creamy/foamy (similar to a root beer float), khaki-colored head catches the eye first - wonderfully slow-depleting atop the deep, dark ruby liquid.

The smell hints at (sweetened) coffee with a sort of unidentifiable floral/herbal quality (hops?!?!) and extra-dark toasty. Actually, as it sits, the floral/herbal thing takes on a burnt-bitter orange peel. The complexity is nice (see: taste), but I think I'd prefer a more straight-forward rich malt aroma. But what do I know?

Liquid near-burnt toast is the dominant flavor. Similar to Malta Goya w/o the sweetness. No sweet or grainy flavors. A small bit of darkened caramel and, curiously (sort of), vague bubblegum that (re-)emerges on the palate long after an isolated sip.

I can certainly see easily knocking back a bunch of these (or a big 2L tankard). Soft-round-mild malty body. Wonderfully dry finish with an rolling off at the end, clean and rinsing like the wash of a small wave on a freshwater pond. Perhaps some yeast-derived fruity (esters?) in the follow through?

A very nice schwarz - but I feel like I've had better...

Serving type: on-tap

12-03-2012 20:04:50 | More by Bouleboubier

RonaldTheriot

Louisiana

4.18/5  rDev +6.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Had on draft at Oktoberfest (Deutches Haus, Rivertown, Kenner, Louisiana). Kostritzer Schwarzbier has a medium, beige, creamy head and a black, opaque appearance, with some lacing left behind. I was not able to pick up a lot of aroma, sad to say, but one can detect a slight maltiness. The flavor is of dark-roasted malt, chocolate, coffee, and a touch of hop bitterness. Mouthfeel is medium, and Kostritzer finishes fairly crisp and refreshing. Drinkablility is superb with this one. For a black beer, this is about as perfect as it gets. I think you should check it out!

RJT

Serving type: on-tap

10-27-2012 15:12:25 | More by RonaldTheriot

dbrauneis

New Jersey

3.85/5  rDev -1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Served on tap at Pilsener Haus in Hoboken, NJ

A: Pours an opaque jet black in color with some light reddish brown highlights when held up to the light and light amounts of visible carbonation. The beer has a half finger tall light beige head that slowly reduces to a very thin film covering the majority of the surface of the beer and a thin ring at the edges of the glass. Light to moderate amounts of lacing are observed.

S: Light to moderate aromas of dark roasted, almost slightly burnt malts along with some slight hints of dark chocolate.

T: Like the smell, the taste of this beer has a moderate amount of dark roasted malts with some light hints of almost burnt malts. There are light notes of dark chocolate as well.

M: Just shy of medium bodied with moderate amounts of carbonation. Smooth.

O: This beer is very easy to drink due to the low ABV and lighter body. Enjoyable and sessionable.

Serving type: on-tap

10-14-2012 19:52:15 | More by dbrauneis

BierStein711

Illinois

4.25/5  rDev +8.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

On tap, four finger coca-cola head

Black as night

Healthy carbonation

Taste: Malty, chocolate , booze, and a tad bit of hop at the finish.

S: Lager yeast

M: perfect

Overall, this is the perfect beer for a business function. This is a beer that says "I mean business." It delivers no frills drinking pleasure!

Serving type: on-tap

05-10-2012 18:44:47 | More by BierStein711

Darkmagus82

Montana

3.6/5  rDev -7.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Served in a 10 oz chalice glass

Appearance – Served a deep brown color, almost black, but has a very deep reddish hue which could be seen when held up to the light. It was served with a one finger off white head that faded relatively fast to give only a small amount of lacing.

Smell – The aromas are light and are of a little bit of roasted malt, light chocolate and some breadiness.

Taste – There is a toasty malt flavor that is the base of the beer. In the beginning it starts out a little bit sweeter with the notes of chocolate detected in the nose present. At the start there is a lighter caramel flavor that is in the taste as well. As it advances a little nuttiness comes into the taste and bitters and dries it just a bit.

Mouthfeel – A medium to slightly above medium body with a medium level of carbonation. For only a 4.8% abv it is a bit creamier then I would have originally expected. The higher thickness well suited some of the more roasty and malty flavors and was quite well done.

Overall – Easy drinking with some good flavors. This would be a good session beer on a cooler spring or autumn day.

Serving type: on-tap

05-02-2012 23:18:17 | More by Darkmagus82

Demitra

California

4.28/5  rDev +9.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Had on tap at Gourmet Haus Staudt

The color is the perfect black coffee color, with a fluffy beige head on top. The head fizzes away to a thin film with even lacing around the inside of my glass.

The smell is faint and caramel like with hints of a wet barnyard in the background. The smell is least impressive part of this beer to me.

My first sip is surprising. This beer has clean crisp lager characteristics. I was expecting a more sweet caramel dull flavor. This was refreshing with an addition of deep chocolate caramel flavors. This definitely could be a carbonated chocolate milk drink if you close your eyes. A fun beer to drink!

Serving type: on-tap

03-20-2012 20:55:16 | More by Demitra

kiya

California

2.75/5  rDev -29.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5

Had this on tap at Gourmet Haus Staudt in Redwood City (CA).
Pours a pitch black color with a frothy head that dissipates to thin puddles in less than a minute.

Nose is of roasted nuts and moldy grass, i'm trying to reach for more but can't detect much else in the nose. Let the beer come up to temp and it's still hard to tell what's going in there.

It's mellow in the front with a bit of bitterness, i think this beer would benefit from a bit more hoppiness and/or sweetness. The creaminess of it combined with the buoyancy is what saves this beer. It's not very deep nor is it very interesting. A black lager should combine the best of a traditional lager with notes of nuts and a roasty finish. This does none of that.

The mouthfeel is ok, the carb is fine but borders on too strong. Overall it's lacking in almost all dimensions for me.

Serving type: on-tap

03-20-2012 20:45:02 | More by kiya

Dave128

Kentucky

3.68/5  rDev -5.9%
look: 5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Enjoyed on tap into the kostritzer signature glass.

A - This beer certainly is a beauty. Black in color with ruby highlights. Brown head lasts quite a while even though it is a little fizzy and Lacing is excellent.

S - Smells faintly of dark malts. I pick up a little of the grassy lager yeast and smokiness from the malts. Basic but clean.

T - A lot like the smell. It is a mild beer but very clean and well executed. Starts a little caramely and sweet and finishes dry and a tad bitter with a smokey character.

M - light bodied but not watery. Carbonation is right. Head is a little fizzy. I would like to see it a little more creamy for a dark beer.

O - A clean easy drinking dark lager. Looks beautiful in the glass, but pretty mild on flavor.

Serving type: on-tap

02-16-2012 00:27:02 | More by Dave128

rarbring

Sweden

3.85/5  rDev -1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

The beer i black (ganz Schwarz!) a tan head, good lacing but rather small curtains.

The smell is both fruity and meaty. Raisins, burnt bread and sausages.

The taste starts with burned bread crust, dates, milk chocolate.

Medium carbonation, a fresh texture, light body, and nice smooth finish.

A fresh and nice black beer!

Serving type: on-tap

02-11-2012 19:33:50 | More by rarbring

morebeergood

Massachusetts

3.9/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap last night at the new Lone Star Taco Bar in Allston. Served in a 0.4l Radeberger mug. Light black color, with a wonderful looking head that did not fade. Smell had hints of cocoa powder and tobacco. I liked the flavors very much. Many notes of chocolate, roasted malt, and coffee. The mouthfeel was deceptively good. It was rich and creamy at first, but the more you drank, it got smoother and smoother. A very easy beer to drink. Tons of flavor, and at under 5% abv, it's a beer that you can enjoy for a session. Great beer, and a bonus at $6 for the large mug. Need to find this on tap more often.

Serving type: on-tap

02-05-2012 20:20:01 | More by morebeergood

Murrhey

Montana

3.3/5  rDev -15.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5

Had on tap at Joe's in Fullerton.

A- Finger width off-white head, deep dark black body. Intimidating looking beer.

S- Roast barley and malt smells.

T- Dark and roast flavors. Not complex but definitely tasty.

M- Thicker body with a watery finish, some chewiness to it.

O- It was fairly good, all things considered. Might like to re-review it.

Serving type: on-tap

02-04-2012 22:00:03 | More by Murrhey

atomicbeer

New Mexico

3.6/5  rDev -7.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Draft pint at Bierbrunnen Ft. Lauderdale Florida. Pours a very dark brown with a thin tan head. Aroma is a mild earthy hop. Unexpected sweet and sour grass and earth hop taste backed by roasty malt. Went well with Wiener schnitzel and potato salad. Could session this one in the biergarten...

Serving type: on-tap

01-30-2012 00:41:41 | More by atomicbeer

jsprain1

Minnesota

3.63/5  rDev -7.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A- Very dark, near black color. Head is one finger and tan and lasts pretty well with some lacing sticking to the glass.
S- The aroma is quite mild with some darker malts and some earthyness and coffee.
T- Fairly mild up front with some dark bread and a hint of smokeyness. The finish has just a bit of ground coffee.
M- light-medium in the body. Carbonation is light. It's very smooth and easy drinking.
O- This is a tasty schwarz and a beer that would be good for an evening of beer drinking.

Serving type: on-tap

01-28-2012 21:23:33 | More by jsprain1

dunit697

California

4.08/5  rDev +4.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

This bier was fine, I can recognize it as dark and good, but I feel like there is better out there, I felt this one was lacking something personally. The timbre could have been more unique. I also think a bit more OH- could have made this bier taste better.

Serving type: on-tap

01-17-2012 17:24:26 | More by dunit697

tobelerone

New Jersey

4/5  rDev +2.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A black beer, obviously, with an off-white head that’s fairly small and dissipates quickly. Minimal lacing remains. The aroma is mostly gentle roastiness with traces of coffee notes and a general dark bready maltiness.

Flavor is good but mild; again the roast and coffee notes are present but are much more subdued than what you might experience in an American take on this style. Mildly sweet, faint caramel, but overall just a basic dark malt flavor.

Medium to thin bodied with lower carbonation on tap than what I’d expect from the bottled version. Somewhat dry finish, extremely easy drinking. Not super exciting but a quality, classic German lager nonetheless.

Serving type: on-tap

01-10-2012 14:28:15 | More by tobelerone

GallowsThief

Florida

4.28/5  rDev +9.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

On tap at Old Heidelburg in Ft. Lauderdale. Served in a branded .5l tall glass.

A – Pitch black in color with a deep tan head. Good retention and solid lacing down the glass.

S – Nice light roasty aroma. Caramel malts. Coffee, molasses.

T – Caramel malt sweetness and a light roast taste. Coffee. Has a nice bready flavor perhaps rye. Brown sugar and light chocolate. Small trace bitterness at the end.

M – Very creamy and smooth. Medium body and carbonation.

O – Really dug this beer. Its very tasty and is a very easy drinker. Could have had a few of these. Might be my favorite in the style. Looking forward to more.

Serving type: on-tap

12-02-2011 03:10:30 | More by GallowsThief

Sean9689

Illinois

3.68/5  rDev -5.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On-tap at Northdown Cafe.

A - Pours a dark brown, light reddish hue, tan-colored head, sticky lacing, thin collar, nice cap.

S - Roast, caramel, light burnt sugary sweetness, malts.

T - Similar to the nose. Nice roast malts, light sweetness, some grains, touch of caramel, toffee. The sweetness is more prevalent on the palate.

M - Medium, good carbonation, creamy sweet finish.

O - A solid Schwarzbier and was easy-drinking and went well with my meal at Northdown. Would def have again in the future.

Serving type: on-tap

11-23-2011 16:08:28 | More by Sean9689

homebrew311

Illinois

3.95/5  rDev +1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Poured from mini keg.

A: pours deep black, some light passage through the edges, creamy tan head

S: roasted malts, subtle smoke, chocolate, coffee

T: chocolate, coffee, lager yeast, smoke, well balanced, slight bitterness at the end

Mf: thin body, mellow carbonation

O: nice and flavorful, well balanced

Serving type: on-tap

10-22-2011 00:10:31 | More by homebrew311

mactrail

California

3.8/5  rDev -2.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Slightly sweet with a great warm taste of dark caramel. A nice brownish black with fine off-white head. Decent carbonation. Tang of hops with a nice touch of bitterness, more that some other Schwarzbiers. A very modest biergarten kind of brew, but an excellent example of the style. Just the thing for meat loaf and mashed potatoes.

Enjoyed at the Kasierhof restaurant in OB, San Diego, which BTW has a good selection of draft German beers.

Serving type: on-tap

09-10-2011 05:28:20 | More by mactrail

ElGeordie

Virginia

3.6/5  rDev -7.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured into a large porcelain stein.
Very creamy head that lasted almost until the bottom of the stein - so creamy in fact that I couldn't even see it was a dark beer until I'd almost finsihed it!
Slightly sweet with some hints of liquorice in the malts
Very easy drinking and tasty. Not your typical german beer.

Serving type: on-tap

08-31-2011 13:12:11 | More by ElGeordie

xnicknj

Pennsylvania

3.68/5  rDev -5.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

on tap at frankford hall in philly

Pours a blacked out color with a tanned head resting on top. Fades out fairly quick with a nice layering of film and patchy lacing on the mug.

Roasted malts and faint hops in the nose, some touches of bread and chocolate with soft sweetness.

Very roasty up front, nice malt presence right off the bat. Touches of chocolate and faint nuttiness. Bready malted notes with very faint sweetness. Smooth and well integrated flavor, but not especially aggressive. Finishes creamy and soft.

Fuller medium body, decent carbonation, smooth and easy on the tongue. I've had this a few times before at German beer bars and continue to go back for more. While not explosive on the palate, this is an easy drinker for a darker beer, especially during the summer months.

Serving type: on-tap

08-01-2011 21:57:38 | More by xnicknj

mdfb79

New York

3.68/5  rDev -5.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

From 07/22/11 notes. Had on tap at Standard, a beer garden about 3 blocks North of Churchkey in DC at 14th and S. Served in what appears to be a large Stange with a handle.

a - Pours a dark mahogany brown color with a reddish tint, one finger of off white head, and moderate carbonation evident.

s - Smells of roasted malts, toasted malts, caramel, bread, and biscuit. Very malty, and pretty nice.

t - Tasted of roasted malts, light chocolate, bready malts, caramel malts.

m - Medium body and low carbonation, pretty smooth.

o - Overall a pretty good schwarzbier. Lots of malts, and very easy to drink. Would give it another shot.

Serving type: on-tap

07-25-2011 20:45:27 | More by mdfb79

BeerLover99

New Jersey

4.22/5  rDev +7.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: dark brown/black body, finger beige/tan head, solid lacing

S: roasted nuts, malt, light dark chocolate, vanilla,
coffee

T: sweet vanilla, roasted malt, coffee, nice smooth bitter finish

M: med body, lightly chewy + smooth

O: Very nice schwarzbier! Glad I tried this,
well worth the time. Could be a great Fall + Winter
beer or after dinner/dessert offering.
I will seek this out again.

DELICIOUS, WORTH TRYING!

Serving type: on-tap

07-13-2011 20:33:02 | More by BeerLover99