Kellerbier

A naturally hazy, unfiltered lager emphasizing soft malt, smooth fermentation, and enhanced mouthfeel. Compared with filtered Helles, it is cloudier, fuller, and more immediate in texture.

Defined by unfiltered presentation creating natural haze and a softer mouthfeel.

Also known as: Kellerbier; Zwickelbier
Family: Light & Crisp Lagers - Easy-drinking pale lagers; refreshing and clean
Variant of Helles - Within the Clean Fermentation Beers, defined by clean lager fermentation with restrained yeast expression and structural balance.
Variant influence: Omission of filtration preserves suspended yeast and proteins, increasing perceived body and softness while maintaining the core malt balance and clean fermentation of Helles.
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ABV, IBU and colour

This section summarises the typical alcohol strength, bitterness level and colour range of Kellerbier within the GBI model.

ABV: 4,9%
IBU: 16
Colour: 4,0 SRM / 7,9 EBC

Taste profile

The sensory profile below shows the typical intensity range of the 15 core flavour dimensions.

Colour:
Straw Deep yellow
Clarity:
Slight haze Hazy
Aroma – Malt:
Low Medium
Aroma – Hop:
Low
Aroma – Yeast:
Low
Aroma – Special:
None Low
Sweetness:
Low
Sourness:
None Low
Bitterness:
Low Medium
Body:
Low Medium
Astringency:
Low Medium
Carbonation:
Medium High
Alcohol Strength:
Low Medium
Finish Length:
Medium
Oxidation:
None Low

Soft, gently hazy, and rounded with clean fermentation and subtle malt character.

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What gives Kellerbier its character

These structural drivers help shape its characteristic sensory profile.

  • Yeast in suspension can create a soft, natural haze.
  • Pilsner malt provides a pale grain base with relatively restrained malt aroma.
  • High attenuation converts more fermentable extract, tending to reduce residual sweetness and body while supporting alcohol formation and a drier finish.
  • A chloride-forward balance supports a fuller, slightly sweeter palate while softening perceived bitterness.

History

Kellerbier originated as unfiltered lager drawn directly from cellar storage vessels before filtration and extended conditioning became widespread commercial practices.

How Kellerbier compares to other beer styles

This comparison shows meaningful differences in sensory ranges and style character based on the GBI data.

Kellerbier vs Helles

Compared with Helles, Kellerbier has:

  • more hazy in appearance

Other differences:

  • The color range of Kellerbier extends to darker shades.
  • Helles can have a shorter finish.

Kellerbier vs Zwickelbier

Other differences:

  • Kellerbier can be clearer.
  • The yeast aroma range of Zwickelbier extends to higher intensities.
  • Zwickelbier can have a shorter finish.

Compare Kellerbier with another beer style

Choose any GBI beer style to compare sensory ranges and style character.

Want to explore the underlying data in more detail? Compare styles in the GBI Explorer →

Related styles

Other variants within the same style group as Kellerbier.

Best food pairings for Kellerbier

These food pairings complement the dominant sensory traits of Kellerbier.

  • Soft cheeses
  • Roast chicken
  • Salads

Service & Aging

Practical guidance for serving and handling Kellerbier.

Serving notes
Serve cold and fresh · Avoid prolonged storage
Pouring technique
Gentle pour to retain haze and natural carbonation
Aging potential
Drink very fresh · Haze and yeast degrade with time
Common faults
Oxidation · Autolysis · Excessive yeast bite
Style details
  • Origin: Germany — Originating from German brewing traditions.
  • Glassware: Pilsner Glass — Tall, slender pilsner glass that accentuates clarity, carbonation, and hop brightness.
    Willibecher — German-style tumbler glass used for many lagers and ales, offering balanced aroma and drinkability.
    Stein — Traditional German stein or maßkrug for festbiers and classic lagers; emphasizes volume and fest service.
  • Serving: Draft — Served on draft.
  • Conditioning: Tank-conditioned — Conditioned in stainless or lagering tank.
  • Aging vessel: Stainless — Aged or matured in stainless steel.
  • Packaging: Keg — Packaged in keg.

Commercial examples of Kellerbier

The following commercial examples illustrate widely recognised expressions of Kellerbier in the market.

  • Augustiner Kellerbier
  • Mönchshof Kellerbier
  • St. GeorgenBräu Kellerbier

Kellerbier – Competition winners and medalists

Medal winners for Kellerbier from major beer competitions. Categories follow each competition's official classification and may include stylistically adjacent interpretations.

2026 competition results

World Beer Cup 2026

Kellerbier or Zwickelbier

  • Gold – Kellerbier – pFriem Family Brewers , United States
  • Silver – Desítka – Pivovar Matuška , Czech Republic
  • Bronze – Pleasing Tony Italian Pilsner – Little Brother Brewing , United States

Source: World Beer Cup ( official website )

2025 competition results 12 medalists

European Beer Star 2025

German-style Kellerbier Hell

  • Gold – Stephanskirchener Zwickl – SIMSSEER Braumanufaktur , Germany
  • Silver – Schönramer Zwickl – Private Landbrauerei Schönram , Germany
  • Bronze – Schimpf Urtrüb – Kronenbrauerei Alfred Schimpf , Germany

German-style Kellerbier Dunkel

  • Gold – Bottroper Bier Dunkles – Bottroper Bier , Germany
  • Silver – Camba Dunkel – Camba Bavaria , Germany
  • Bronze – Ottakringer Bio-Zwickl Dunkel – Ottakringer Brauerei , Austria

Source: European Beer Star ( official website )

Great American Beer Festival 2025

Kellerbier or Zwickelbier

  • Gold – Palingenesis – Geisthaus Brewing Co. , United States
  • Silver – Uncle Keller – Movement Brewing Co. , United States
  • Bronze – Treetop – Franklins Restaurant, Brewery & General Store , United States

Source: Great American Beer Festival ( official website )

World Beer Cup 2025

Kellerbier or Zwickelbier

  • Gold – Broumy – Pivovar Matuška , Czech Republic
  • Silver – Pilsners are Lagers – Benchtop Brewing Co. , United States
  • Bronze – Karbach Kellerbier – Karbach Brewing Co. , United States

Source: World Beer Cup ( official website )

2024 competition results 6 medalists

European Beer Star 2024

German-style Kellerbier Hell

  • Gold – ABK Kellerbier naturtrüb – Aktienbrauerei Kaufbeuren , Germany
  • Silver – Wieselburger Zwickl – Brauerei Wieselburg , Austria
  • Bronze – Schimpf Urtrüb – Kronenbrauerei Alfred Schimpf , Germany

German-style Kellerbier Dunkel

  • Gold – Landsknecht – Fürst Wallerstein Brauhaus , Germany
  • Silver – Bottroper Bier Dunkles – Bottroper Bier , Germany
  • Bronze – Ottakringer Bio-Zwickl Dunkel – Ottakringer Brauerei , Austria

Source: European Beer Star ( official website )

2023 competition results 6 medalists

European Beer Star 2023

German-style Kellerbier Hell

  • Gold – Krieger Zwickl – Wihelm Krieger , Germany
  • Silver – AKTIEN Zwick’l Kellerbier – Bayreuther Bierbrauerei AG , Germany
  • Bronze – Wieselburger Zwickl – Brauerei Wieselburg , Austria

German-style Kellerbier Dunkel

  • Gold – Waldhaus Ohne Filter DUNKEL – Privatbrauerei Waldhaus Joh. Schmid , Germany
  • Silver – Rappen 1893 – Rapp , Germany
  • Bronze – Original – Brauerei Lemke Berlin , Germany

Source: European Beer Star ( official website )

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