HOPIQ SCORE
The Best Kellerbiers
143 beers from 120 breweries · Ranked by style authenticity — not marketing
These rankings are dynamic. As more people rate, match and like beers on hopIQ, community signals will increasingly shape the results alongside style authenticity and award recognition.
Kellerbier — literally "cellar beer" — is lager at its most uncompromising: unfiltered, naturally carbonated, often hazy from residual yeast, and cold-conditioned until ready. The style predates modern filtration; what you taste is what the brewer put in the tank. The hopIQ Score evaluates Kellerbier on restrained carbonation, gentle hop character, natural yeast haze, and a clean malt finish — criteria that reward traditional production over shortcuts.
The ranking spans the DACH region, as the style remains a Central European speciality. Austrian producers like Stiegl and Hofstettner appear alongside German mainstays like Köstritzer, Alpirsbacher, and Steinbach Bräu — a mix that reflects how the Kellerbier tradition survived on both sides of the German-Austrian border. For Germany-only Kellerbiers, see the dedicated German Kellerbier ranking.
How this ranking works
The hopIQ Score weights style authenticity (80%), user engagement (10%), notability (10%), and award history. Active, in-production beers only — non-alcoholic excluded. No paid placement — order follows the data alone. Ranking spans 143 beers from 120 breweries.
Top 5 of 50
Hirsch ZwucklBest Overall#2 worldwide
ABV
5.2%
Bitterness
Lightly bitter
Colour
golden 8
Hirsch's Zwuckl is a Kellerbier in its truest form — unfiltered, naturally cloudy, caught in that sweet spot between lager cleanness and yeast texture. Earthy hops, mineral backbone, a faint herbal bitterness, and that distinctive soft…Hirsch's Zwuckl is a Kellerbier in its truest form — unfiltered, naturally cloudy, caught in that sweet spot between lager cleanness and yeast texture. Earthy hops, mineral backbone, a faint herbal bitterness, and that distinctive soft yeasty character that defines the style. Drink it fresh and cold; it's the sound of Bavaria's cellar traditions in a glass.
Ketterer Zwickel-Pils#11 worldwide
ABV
4.9%
Bitterness
Noticeably bitter
Colour
golden 5
An unfiltered Kellerbier that captures the Pilsner tradition in its most elegant form. The palate opens soft and refined, with a lively spritz that cuts through cleanly, then moves into a fine interplay of subtle malt sweetness and hoppy…An unfiltered Kellerbier that captures the Pilsner tradition in its most elegant form. The palate opens soft and refined, with a lively spritz that cuts through cleanly, then moves into a fine interplay of subtle malt sweetness and hoppy bitterness in the finish. This is a beer built for balance rather than drama—the kind that invites a second glass on a warm afternoon, served crisp at seven to eight degrees. Its sprightly character and understated charm make it the sort of honest lager that rewards attention without demanding it.
Aktien Zwick'l Kellerbier#14 worldwide
ABV
5.3%
Bitterness
Lightly bitter
Colour
golden 8
Bayreuther's Zwick'l is what Kellerbier should be — unfiltered, naturally hazy, and tasting like it was poured straight from the cellar tank. Soft malt sweetness and a whisper of noble hop spice dance across a crisp, almost mineral finish;…Bayreuther's Zwick'l is what Kellerbier should be — unfiltered, naturally hazy, and tasting like it was poured straight from the cellar tank. Soft malt sweetness and a whisper of noble hop spice dance across a crisp, almost mineral finish; the low carbonation makes it feel earthy and alive at once. This is Franconian tradition in a glass, no theater.
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Köstritzer Kellerbier#27 worldwide
ABV
5.4%
Bitterness
Lightly bitter
Colour
golden 8
Köstritzer Kellerbier is an unfiltered, bottom-fermented cellar beer at 5.4 % ABV and 12.7 °P. Roast malt, specialty malts and selected hops shape a naturally hazy amber beer with a creamy, persistent head. The aroma is malty and spicy,…Köstritzer Kellerbier is an unfiltered, bottom-fermented cellar beer at 5.4 % ABV and 12.7 °P. Roast malt, specialty malts and selected hops shape a naturally hazy amber beer with a creamy, persistent head. The aroma is malty and spicy, with grain, roasted chestnut, fresh bread, a hint of ripe apple and a fine herbal hop note. The palate is full with gentle carbonation; caramel-tinged malt sweetness meets a light, slightly bitter hop edge, and the beer finishes clean and moderately dry.
5
Alpirsbacher Klosterbräu Spezial#28 worldwide
ABV
5.2%
Bitterness
Lightly bitter
Colour
golden 8
Alpirsbacher Klosterbräu Spezial is a traditional Bavarian Kellerbier brewed according to centuries-old monastic methods in the Black Forest region of Germany. This unpasteurized lager offers authentic, rustic character with a naturally…Alpirsbacher Klosterbräu Spezial is a traditional Bavarian Kellerbier brewed according to centuries-old monastic methods in the Black Forest region of Germany. This unpasteurized lager offers authentic, rustic character with a naturally cloudy appearance and a crisp, refreshing profile.
Ranks 6–10
6
Stiegl-Paracelsus Bio-Zwickl#31 worldwide
Austria's most celebrated organic beer — named after Paracelsus, the alchemist-physician who lived in Salzburg. Brewed exclusively with Austrian organic ingredients from controlled biological cultivation, including Laufener Landweizen…Austria's most celebrated organic beer — named after Paracelsus, the alchemist-physician who lived in Salzburg. Brewed exclusively with Austrian organic ingredients from controlled biological cultivation, including Laufener Landweizen ancient grain grown and malted at the Stiegl-Farm Wildshut. Amber-coloured, naturally unfiltered, velvety mild, and smooth. 24,445 Untappd ratings.
7
Kaiserdom Kellerbier#33 worldwide
The Kellerbier is Kaiserdom's unfiltered Franconian cellar lager for export markets, brewed to 11.4 percent original gravity. It pours a hazy light orange with a fluffy, firm white head. The nose is restrained, showing malt and freshly…The Kellerbier is Kaiserdom's unfiltered Franconian cellar lager for export markets, brewed to 11.4 percent original gravity. It pours a hazy light orange with a fluffy, firm white head. The nose is restrained, showing malt and freshly toasted white bread. On the palate the suspended yeast gives a soft, rounded impression and an elegant malt sweetness with hints of bread crust, balanced by a discreet hop bitterness and a light herbal spice in the finish.
8
STiVO#40 worldwide
STiVO is an unfiltered, lightly dry-hopped keller pils brewed with Russian River, first created in 2016 as a meeting of Pivo Pils and Russian River's STS Pils. Weyermann pilsner malt gives a bready, cracker-like base with soft grain…STiVO is an unfiltered, lightly dry-hopped keller pils brewed with Russian River, first created in 2016 as a meeting of Pivo Pils and Russian River's STS Pils. Weyermann pilsner malt gives a bready, cracker-like base with soft grain sweetness, while German Saphir and French Aramis hops bring floral, herbal and lemony notes with a hint of stone fruit. Cold lager fermentation keeps the profile clean and dry, with a faint whiff of struck match typical of a fresh German lager. The finish is crisp, with a firm, lingering bitterness.
9
Distelhäuser Landbier#43 worldwide
An unfiltered dark Kellerbier with a rich malt character, subtle roasted notes and natural cloudiness from krausening. DLG Gold medalist and EBS Bronze 2013 — one of the brewery's most decorated beers. Ranked here for style-fit against the Lager reference and award history in Lager-specific categories.
10
Freistädter Bio-Zwickl#53 worldwide
An organic, naturally cloudy Zwickl with classic haze, sweet aromas, and delicate yeast character. Brewed with organic Mühlviertel ingredients in controlled biological cultivation. One of Austria's most beloved organic beers from the…An organic, naturally cloudy Zwickl with classic haze, sweet aromas, and delicate yeast character. Brewed with organic Mühlviertel ingredients in controlled biological cultivation. One of Austria's most beloved organic beers from the Mühlviertel region.
The taste landscape
Of the 50 top beers, 40 lean malt-forward and 10 lean hop-forward.