- Founded
- 1543
- Brewed in
- Bad Köstritz, Thuringia, Germany
- Owner
- Bitburger Braugruppe
- Known for
- Schwarzbier, Kellerbier
- Try first
- Köstritzer Schwarzbier
- In Australia
- Mainly at specialist and independent bottle shops with a strong imported range; big chains carry it only now and then.
- Beer types
- Black Beer
- Official site
- koestritzer.de
Köstritzer is the best-known Schwarzbier, or black beer, in Germany. It looks like a stout but drinks like a smooth, light lager, which surprises almost everyone who tries it.
The story of Köstritzer
The brewery in Köstritz, a spa town in Thuringia in eastern Germany, was first recorded in 1543. Its dark beer was known across the region by the 18th century, and the brewery likes to tell how the poet Goethe drank it when he was too ill to eat.
During the communist era the brewery was nationalised. After German reunification it was bought in 1991 by the Bitburger Braugruppe, owners of Bitburger, and Köstritzer Schwarzbier has since become one of the best-selling dark beers in Germany.
Köstritzer beers to try
- Köstritzer Schwarzbier (4.8%): Deep black with a tan head. Smooth, lightly roasted and easy to drink.
- Köstritzer Kellerbier: An unfiltered, amber cellar beer, harder to find outside Germany.
What does Köstritzer taste like?
Köstritzer Schwarzbier has gentle notes of dark chocolate, coffee and toasted bread, with a light body and a clean, slightly sweet lager finish. There is none of the heaviness or acidity of a stout. It is a great introduction to dark beer for lager drinkers.
Food pairing: Barbecued lamb, beef burgers, mushroom dishes, roast pork and chocolate desserts.
Where to buy Köstritzer in Australia
- Specialist bottle shops with a German range are your best bet. See our Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide pages
- Big chains stock it only now and then
Learn about Schwarzbier and Germany’s other styles in our German beer brewing guide.
Köstritzer FAQs
Is Köstritzer available in Australia?
Köstritzer Schwarzbier is available in Australia mainly at specialist bottle shops with a German or European range. Larger chain stores stock it only now and then.
Is Schwarzbier heavy like a stout?
No. Schwarzbier (black beer) is a dark lager, not a stout. Köstritzer looks almost black but is light-bodied and smooth, with gentle roasted and chocolate notes and only 4.8% ABV.
Did Goethe drink Köstritzer?
According to the brewery, the poet Johann Wolfgang von Goethe drank Köstritzer black beer when he was ill and unable to eat. It is one of the brewery’s favourite stories.
How strong is Köstritzer Schwarzbier?
Köstritzer Schwarzbier is 4.8% ABV.
← Back to all German beer brands · Ranked #19 in our list. Last updated 2 October 2026.