Germany
Köstritzer
Thuringian brewery whose Schwarzbier kept the black lager tradition alive through the twentieth century.
Why it matters
The producer most responsible for Schwarzbier surviving as a recognised style, and the usual reference example.
Details
| Founded | 1543 |
|---|---|
| Where | Germany |
| Status | Operating |
| Ownership | Part of the Bitburger group as understood at the review date. Recorded 2026-08-16; ownership changes without announcement. |
Reference beers
BeerHQ carries only the products that anchor something. This is not the brewery’s full range.
Styles it is associated with
- Schwarzbier — Nearly black but remarkably light on the palate: smooth roast, clean lager finish and none of the heaviness the colour suggests.
Traditions
- German regional speciality brewing — The city-level German traditions — Kölsch, Altbier, Rauchbier, Berliner Weisse — that survived the national spread of pale lager.
Other breweries in Germany
Aecht Schlenkerla · Augustiner · Ayinger · Badische Staatsbrauerei Rothaus · Berliner Kindl · Bitburger Brauerei · Cölner Hofbräu Früh · Dortmunder Actien-Brauerei
Last reviewed 2026-08-16.