Mönchshof Schwarzbier
Brewery: Mönchshof
Town: Kulmbach
Style: Schwarzbier
Color: dark brown, ruby highlights
Head: rocky, tan
Nose: slight roast
Body: full
Palate: rich malt, roast, underlying hops
Finish: clean, dry
Served: on tap at the brewery
Impression: This was one of those very high expectation beers that was bound to fail for me. Deemed the “Black Pils,” I was expecting quite the hoppy affair so found it a bit on the malty side the first time around in 1997. Subsequent experiences were better and this time around I finally got to have it on tap. The brewery makes a large range but sadly as with most of Germany, dark beers have lost favor so finding it in anything but bottles isn’t easy. It came out looking a bit like a stout though the head was rockier and formidable like chiffon. There wasn’t much aroma but the roast was present from the first sip. The hops, while not as up front as I’d have liked, are nonetheless drying and the overall experience is of being quietly seduced by them. The finish is about as clean as you’ll find and the beer cries for pork. Consuming it with a Schäuferla should be mandatory.
Next beer or back to the beer list.
