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Kloster Zwickel

Alpirsbacher Klosterbräu
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🌍 Germany · Kellerbier · One of 145 Kellerbiers in hopIQ

An unfiltered, naturally cloudy Zwickel bottled straight from the brewhouse cellar to the brewmaster's original recipe: a blend of 85 percent bottom-fermented and 15 percent top-fermented Kellerbier, with wheat alongside barley in the grist. The idea came from visitors to the brewery museum, who kept asking for something fresh drawn directly from the fermenting tanks. Subtle yeast and spicy hop notes sit over a sweetish malty core, and a clearly noticeable bitterness closes it.

ABV
5.4%
Bitterness
Lightly bitter21 IBU
Clean, dry bitterness
SRM
golden8
See all Kellerbier alternatives →

AWARDS

World's Best · 2016
World Beer Awards
Seasonal Lager
Bronze · 2017
World Beer Awards
World's Best · 2020
World Beer Awards
German-Style Pale
★World's Best — World Beer Awards (Seasonal Lager)
★Bronze — World Beer Awards
★World's Best — World Beer Awards (German-Style Pale)
How it drinks· Its pace, balance and relationship to the style.
Pace
sessionsipper
Balance
malt-ledhop-led
Style expression
textbookdistinctive
Where this beer sits· Four axes, the same for every beer in hopIQ.
Body
Medium body.
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
Dry finish.
drysweet
Bitterness
Soft bitterness.
mildbitter
Texture
Balanced mouthfeel.
crispcreamy

Even from Body through Texture, the taste structure is evenly distributed.

Harmony over emphasis — the beer is built for each note to sit at the same volume.

Character· What makes this beer itself — not just another Kellerbier.
Malt character
malty
wheat
bready
Distinctive notes
hazy
spicy
Hop character
spicy hop
Fermentation & yeast
yeastyclean

FEATURED IN

#1 of 50The Best German Lagers→#1 of 50The Best German Beers→

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Kloster Zwickel

◎ Appearance

A pale golden hue shines through the characteristic natural cloudiness imparted by suspended yeast. The dense, cream-colored head forms quickly and clings to the glass with firm adhesion, leaving distinct rings of lacing as the beer is consumed. Fine carbonation rises steadily in the glass, maintaining the lively character expected from fresh cellared stock.

pale goldennaturally hazycreamy headfine carbonation

◌ Aroma

The nose opens with prominent yeast character—both a soft, pillowy fermentation esters and a subtle fruity sweetness. Behind this sits a gentle herbal and slightly spicy hop presence, restrained yet clearly defined. A warm, grainy maltiness underpins the profile without dominating, creating a balanced and inviting first impression.

yeasty estersherbal spicesoft fruitinessgrainy malt backdrop

◐ Taste

The palate enters with a slightly sweet, full-bodied maltiness that carries notes of bread grain and subtle wheat character. Mid-palate reveals the interplay of bottom- and top-fermented cultures: a clean, lager-like base with gentle ale fruitiness woven throughout. A pronounced, dry bitterness emerges in the finish, providing clear structure and preventing any cloying sensation.

bread grainfull-bodiedclean fermentationpronounced dry bitterness

◑ Finish

The bitter character persists into a medium-length, drying finish that cleanses the palate effectively. A faint fruity yeast note fades slowly, leaving behind a crisp, slightly woody aftertaste.

dry finishmedium lengthcrisp aftertaste
78
hopIQ score
Aroma
76
Taste
79
Appearance
80
Finish
77
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Serve & Enjoy

How to get the most out of Kloster Zwickel

Serve at 7–9°C
Refrigerate, then rest 2 min

Serve at 7–9°C for the best flavour balance and aroma expression.

Pint glass
Recommended for this style

The classic — versatile, comfortable to hold and keeps the beer cool. No frills, no distractions: just the beer.

Store in a cool, dark place. Check the best-before date on the label for guidance.

Food Pairing

What to eat with Kloster Zwickel

About Kellerbier

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Kellerbier?

Kellerbier is a distinctive beer style with its own characteristic flavour, aroma and colour. Discover what makes it unique and find similar beers on hopIQ.

Finding a similar Kellerbier

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same hazy, bitter, malty character as Kloster Zwickel will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

Other Kellerbiers in hopIQ

Compare with another beer →Explore all Kellerbier beers in hopIQ →Browse Germany beers →