Kulmbacher Mönchshof Schwarzbier

This beer is one of the best examples of the balance and refinement present in German brewing. It pours a deep, deep ruby. In the broad part of the glass it’s black in narrower parts it’s reddish brown. The head is a tan sticky beauty. Nose is of soft, clean malts, a nice chocolate roastiness and a fair smattering of noble hops. It smells so good, yet so refined. This is not a big beer, not at all, but it’s still so deep. It’s dry, but somehow still has a malty sweetness rounded out with a refreshing bitterness coming from the roast and the perfect level of hopping. Finish is smoth and clean with a subtle lingering bitterness. It’s so nice. Round and smooth, but still dry and refreshing. There’s a faint, metalic tang of the water in here as well. That’s right you can taste the water. What’s wrong with that? Soft and subtle yet flavorful and deep. Perfect. What craftsmanship.

Ruby red with a solid rock head. Caramel, nutty aroma. Smooth character and nice flavors: roasty malt, hint of java, relaxed bitter finish. Awesome.

Schwarzbier or "black beer" is a German beers style, that I enjoy quite a bit. This beer style, made popular in Eastern Germany, is a very dark, slighty roasty lager, very similar to Munich Dunkles. There really isn’t a whole lot of examples of this style being brewed today, and even in its native Germany, schwarzbier, is very much a regional speciality. So, I was very happy while beer shopping this weekend, to find that Kulmbacher Monchsof Schwarzbier was back on the shelf of my local good beer store. This is a smooth, delicious dark lager with lots of clean malty flavors, and just a touch of coffee and roast. It is marketed in beautiful 1/2 liter swing top bottles retailing for $2.95 a bottle. Kulmbacher Monchsof Schwarzbier pours to a beautiful, bright, black color with a bubbly white head, and a good bit of carbonation. When held to the light, you will see that this beer is actually a beautiful, deep chestnut brown color. The nose on this beer is wonderful with aromas of toast, nuts, sweet malt, and just a touch of roast. The body is very smooth and round, with flavors of dark malt, coffee, toast, nuts, and undertones of roast. Monchsof finishes with more sweet malty, toasty, and nutty flavors, and ends with just a touch more roasty bitterness that slightly lingers. This is a delicious, smooth, drinkable dark lager with lots of flavor and character. I love this beer style, and Monchsof is a stellar example. Schwarzbier is a very food friendly beer that works will with a number of dishes, especially roasted, grilled, and smoked meats. Match this beer with barbecued chicken and hot German potato salad. Kulmbacher markets this beer as "Black Pils" which is somewhat confusing for a novice. This beer doesn’t resemble German pils, and hop character in this beer is only present to balance. This is a very malt accented brew, with a signature roasty note. If this beer is in your market, seek it out. If not ask your retailer to get you some, its that good.

This was a great schwarzbier and possible the best I have ever tried, even though I only had a small sample. Dark brown, almost black in color with roasty flavors dominating the taste. Outstanding.

Malt forward aroma has light notes of caramel and roast with some breadiness and a mild, herbal hop note. Clear depp brown coloured body is topped by a very generous and lasting, creamy, fine bubbled, off white head that laces well. Thick bready malt flavour is joined by aromatic, floral and spicy hop flavours and some light roasted malt. Low to medium bitterness in the long dry finish with sweetness re-emerging. Medium body with rather lively carbonation that tingles on the tongue. Very enjoyable and very much to style. Tulip glass. Just above fridge temperature. Bottle (Half Time, Sep-05).