Obere Mühlbrücke 3
96049 Bamberg
Tel: 0951-52265
www.klosterbraeu.de
Bamberg Station 1.8 km
Opening hours:
Monday to Friday from 10:30
Saturday, Sunday & holidays from 10:00
Output: 4000 HL
Founded in 1533, this is Bamberg’s oldest brewery and an atmospheric one it is, too. Tucked away on a small cobblestone street, this charming old half-timbered brewery is a must visit. There is limited outside seating out front but a larger and perhaps even nicer one to the side on the river. Of course, it’s best in winter as the interior is a true traditional pub with numerous large tiled ovens for warming. There could be no better place to drink their sumptuous Schwärzla, a dark treat.
Charming interior, duck breast & Schwärzla
The food is excellent though it’s not always exactly the same. We’ve had the best Schäuferla in our lives and though it’s always great, that one was the most amazing. To be fair, we’ve never had a bad meal and we’ve had quite a few different things as you can see below. Another beer to try while there is their old style Braunbier.
Schnitzel & Aspargus, Schweinebraten, Sauerbraten & Braunbier
Their beer range is larger than most Bamberg breweries with a Bock of some kind on at all times. Though the Hellerbocks is good, keep an eye out for their spectacular Schwärzlabock, which is only out for a short time between Christmas and January 6th. We’ve gone up the last three years specifically to drink nothing but it. It’s that good.
Massive gorgeous Schäuferla & amazing Schwärzlabock
It appears the Schwärlabock is sadly no longer being brewed. We’ve called three years in a row and they always say there is no plan to brew it. We’ll keep trying since it is one of the greatest Bock ever brewed and surely the best in Bamberg. They are now brewing a very good Rauchbier but in a town like Bamberg with two of the best Rauchbier breweries in the world, it seems redundant to branch out in that direction at the loss of one of your own beery innovations like their Schwärzlabock.
the atmospheric side pub & their new Rauchbier
Klosterbräu was bought out by local big brewer, Kaiserdom, a few years ago. Though initially it seemed they were keeping things the same, there have been some gradual changes which I guess were to be expected. First, it seems Kaiser Pils has replaced the Klosterbräu counterpart Gold Pils. This isn’t a big deal to me. I didn’t think it was all that great and only had it once. That said, it’s still one less beer brewed. They also seem to have stopped brewed their amazing Schwärzlabock and that is a great loss to the brewery, Bamberg and as far as I’m concerned, brewing in general. The last time I was there, they didn’t have their Schwärzla either and if they stop brewing that, it’s a loss of not only a great beer, one of the few different beers in town and a big part of their brewing tradition. I’ll be stopping by next time in town to see what’s on tap. If you’re in town, be sure to go in and order one too.
Klosterbräu Bock & Kellerbier
I noticed I never took a photo or notes for their Bock so made a point of getting in there recently when I knew it would be on tap. While not anywhere as good as their Schwarzlabock, this is a serviceable Hellerbock and much better on tap than in a bottle. A month later I resampled their Schwärzla which seemed better than ever and than had what seemed in comparison a kind of bland Kellerbier. I’ll have it again in summer and make sure to drink it first to get a fairer evaluation of it.
Klosterbräu Kellerbier
As I’d promised myself, I stopped back on a warm day, sat outside and drank their Kellerbier again. It was much fruitier than I’d remembered but it had an odd bitterness. So, much more flavorful but still not a beer I’d run back for. Maybe the third time will be the charm!
a top meal & Maibock
We returned in May 2023 purposely to sample their reportedly excellent Maibock and it lived up to expectations. I’d just had the Zehendner Maibock a few days earlier and it held its own. I also had an amazing Jägerschnitzel and my wife her standby not in the mood for meat, Geschnittene Klöße. This simple meal of leftover dumplings friend with a salad is always a solid light choice.
Beers: Bamberger Gold Pils (quite possibly replaced by Kaiser Pils), Klosterbräu Braunbier, Klosterbräu Schwärzla, Klosterbräu Rauchbier, Klosterbräu Kellerbier.
Beer calendar:
Maibock in May
Bockbier Anstich in October with Heller Bock
Schwärzlabock at Christmas time to the Three Holy Kings (January 6th) (no longer brewed)
Back to Bamberg breweries.