Leikem Steinbier Original 500ML

Leikem Steinbier Original 500ML is a bottom-fermented, unfiltered Bavarian stone beer at 5.8% ABV, brewed using an ancient technique of plunging fire-heated rocks into the wort. This rare brewing method — once a necessity before metal kettles existed — caramelizes malt sugars directly onto prehistoric stones, producing a depth of toffee and smoke character nearly impossible to replicate through conventional brewing.

Quick Facts: ABV: 5.8%  |  Origin: Altenkunstadt, Bavaria, Germany  |  Style: Steinbier (Stone Beer)  |  Brewery: Brauhaus Altenkunstadt Andreas Leikeim GmbH & Co. KG

Production & Heritage

Brauhaus Altenkunstadt Andreas Leikeim operates from the town of Altenkunstadt in northern Bavaria, a region steeped in centuries of brewing tradition. The Steinbier production process begins by heating large stones in a wood fire until they glow, then immersing them in the brew kettle. The extreme heat brings the wort past boiling and caramelizes sugars onto the rocks' surface, layering the beer with distinctive toffee and lightly smoky notes. Once the boil is complete, the sugar-coated stones are removed and later placed into the fermentation and lagering tanks, where yeast feeds on the residual caramelized sugars, adding further complexity. The result is a naturally cloudy, bottom-fermented lager made with only water, barley malt, hops, and yeast — fully compliant with the Reinheitsgebot (German purity law).

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Rich caramel and buttery brioche greet the nose first, followed by warm toasted bread crust and a subtle suggestion of ripe stone fruit. A faint smokiness lingers beneath the malt-forward profile.

Taste: The palate opens with a rush of caramel and toffee, transitioning through toasted malt and a touch of brown sugar at mid-palate. A mild treacle sweetness emerges, balanced by a restrained hop bitterness that keeps the beer from tipping into cloying territory. The body is medium, with a soft, rounded texture from the unfiltered yeast.

Finish: Moderately long and warming, with lingering caramelized malt and a whisper of smoke. The natural cloudiness contributes a creamy mouthfeel that carries through to the very end.

How to Drink Steinbier Original

Serve chilled to around 8–10°C (46–50°F) in a Willi Becher glass or traditional stoneware mug to fully appreciate the malt complexity and hazy pour. This is a beer best enjoyed on its own, sipped slowly to let the caramel and smoke layers unfold. For a beer cocktail twist, try a Shandy with fresh lemonade, where the stone beer's toffee sweetness balances citrus acidity; a Michelada, where the smoky malt stands up to lime and hot sauce; or a Black Velvet, blending equal parts with dry sparkling wine for a rich, toasty effervescent drink.

Best For

• Gifting a craft beer enthusiast who seeks out obscure or historical styles
• Pairing alongside a Bavarian or smoked meat dinner
• Adding a conversation-starting selection to a beer tasting flight
• Exploring rare German brewing traditions beyond standard lagers and wheat beers

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Steinbier Original taste like? Steinbier Original is defined by pronounced caramel and toffee flavors with toasted bread, mild brown sugar sweetness, and a subtle smoky backdrop from the fire-heated stone brewing process. It is medium-bodied, naturally cloudy, and finishes with lingering malt warmth.

How does Steinbier Original compare to Rauchenfels Steinbier? Rauchenfels Steinbier, produced in Neustadt, Bavaria, is widely credited with reviving the commercial steinbier style in 1982 and tends to carry a more overtly smoky profile. Leikem's version leans further into caramel and toffee sweetness with a subtler smoke character and an unfiltered, naturally hazy appearance that sets it apart texturally.

Is Steinbier Original good for craft beer beginners? Its caramel-forward sweetness and approachable 5.8% ABV make it friendlier than many specialty styles, though the smoky and malty intensity may surprise drinkers accustomed to standard lagers. It works well as a gateway to historical and smoked beer styles.

Where is Steinbier Original made? Steinbier Original is brewed by Brauhaus Altenkunstadt Andreas Leikeim GmbH & Co. KG in the town of Altenkunstadt, located in northern Bavaria (Franconia), Germany.

What foods pair well with Steinbier Original? Smoked sausages such as Rauchbier bratwurst complement the beer's own smoky undertones. Roast pork with crackling mirrors the caramelized malt sweetness. Aged Gouda or Gruyère echo the toffee notes. Pretzels with Obatzda (Bavarian cheese spread) provide a classic regional match. Caramel or toffee-based desserts like sticky toffee pudding align naturally with the beer's dominant flavor.

What sizes does Steinbier Original come in? The standard format is a 500ML bottle, the traditional size for German specialty beers.

Is Steinbier Original worth the price? Steinbier Original positions as a specialty import beer, priced above mass-market lagers but consistent with other artisanal or historically brewed German styles. The labor-intensive stone-heating process and the rarity of the steinbier category justify its place as a mid-premium selection.

Why Steinbier Original?

The steinbier method is one of the oldest and rarest brewing techniques still practiced, and Leikeim is among only a handful of breweries worldwide that continue to use fire-heated rocks in the production process. That alone makes this bottle a genuine outlier on any beer shelf. The caramelized sugar deposits on the stones — reintroduced during fermentation and lagering — create layers of flavor that no conventional kilning or malt selection can replicate. For anyone serious about exploring the full spectrum of German brewing heritage, Steinbier Original is one of the most tangible connections to pre-industrial beer making still available in bottle form.