Urban Chestnut Zwickel 4Pk

Urban Chestnut Zwickel 4Pk is an unfiltered, unpasteurized Bavarian-style lager brewed at 5.1% ABV in St. Louis, Missouri. This multiple gold medal winner — including a 92-point rating from Wine Enthusiast and a 95-point score from Beer and Brewing magazine — stands as one of the most decorated American-brewed Kellerbiers on the market.

Quick Facts: ABV: 5.1%  |  IBU: 19  |  Origin: St. Louis, Missouri, USA  |  Style: Kellerbier / Zwickelbier  |  Brewery: Urban Chestnut Brewing Company

Production & Heritage

Urban Chestnut Brewing Company operates breweries in both St. Louis and the Hallertau hop-growing region of southern Germany, giving it a direct connection to the Bavarian brewing traditions it channels. Zwickel is built on a grain bill of Pilsner and Caramel malts, hopped exclusively with Hallertau Perle and Hallertau Mittelfrueh — two noble hop varieties prized for their delicate floral character — and fermented with UCBC's proprietary lager yeast. A single decoction mash coaxes deep malt complexity from the grain, while the decision to skip both filtration and pasteurization preserves the beer's natural yeast haze, resulting in a naturally cloudy pour with a fuller body and vitamin-rich character rarely found in mass-produced lagers.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Fresh sourdough bread and light toast greet the nose first, followed by a gentle wave of lavender-like floral notes from the Hallertau hops. A faint honeyed sweetness lingers underneath without becoming cloying.

Taste: The entry is soft and round, led by a bready Pilsner malt sweetness reminiscent of warm bread crust. At mid-palate, grassy herbal hop flavors emerge alongside a subtle caramel undertone from the specialty malt. The overall impression is balanced and slightly sweet, with a pronounced yet gentle bitterness that never overwhelms the malt foundation.

Finish: Medium in length with a clean, doughy fade and a trailing note of dried herbs. The 19 IBU bitterness resolves gracefully, leaving a dry but not stripped sensation that invites the next sip.

How to Drink Zwickel

Pour into a traditional Krug or a Willi Becher glass to let the unfiltered haze and aromas develop fully; this beer rewards a slightly warmer serving temperature around 45–50°F rather than ice cold. Zwickel also works in several beer-forward mixed drinks: a Radler, combining it with fresh lemonade, lets the bready malt play against citrus acidity; a Shandy with ginger ale amplifies the herbal hop notes into something effervescent and refreshing; and a Beer-mosa — substituting it for the usual pilsner alongside orange juice — adds body and complexity thanks to the unfiltered yeast character.

Best For

• Introducing craft-curious friends to traditional German beer styles
• Pairing with a backyard cookout featuring bratwurst and grilled vegetables
• Gifting to a homebrewer or German beer enthusiast
• Relaxed weekend afternoons when you want flavor without high ABV

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Zwickel taste like? Urban Chestnut Zwickel tastes like fresh sourdough bread with a touch of honey, balanced by grassy herbal hop bitterness and a soft, round mouthfeel from the unfiltered yeast.

How does Zwickel compare to Urban Chestnut Stammtisch? Stammtisch is a filtered German Pilsner with a crisper, more bitter hop profile, while Zwickel is unfiltered and unpasteurized with a rounder, breadier malt character and lower perceived bitterness at 19 IBU. Drinkers who prefer clean, snappy lagers tend to favor Stammtisch, whereas those who enjoy fuller-bodied, haze-forward beers gravitate toward Zwickel.

Is Zwickel good for beginners? Absolutely — its low 5.1% ABV, gentle 19 IBU bitterness, and approachable bready flavor make it an excellent gateway into traditional German Kellerbier and unfiltered lager styles.

Where is Zwickel made? Zwickel is brewed by Urban Chestnut Brewing Company in St. Louis, Missouri, a brewery that also operates a facility in the Hallertau region of Bavaria, Germany, reinforcing its commitment to authentic German brewing methods.

What foods pair well with Zwickel? Bratwurst and other grilled sausages complement the bready malt beautifully. Soft pretzels with mustard echo the doughy character. Roasted chicken benefits from the beer's gentle bitterness cutting through richness. Mild, semi-soft cheeses like Havarti or young Gouda match its smooth body. Grilled asparagus or spring vegetables align with the grassy, herbal hop notes.

What sizes does Zwickel come in? Urban Chestnut Zwickel is commonly available in 4-packs; check availability for other formats as distribution can vary by market.

Is Zwickel worth the price? Zwickel positions as a craft-priced everyday lager — accessible enough for regular drinking but distinguished by its unfiltered production, noble hop bill, and multiple gold medals that place it well above mass-market alternatives in both quality and character.

Why Zwickel?

Few American-brewed Kellerbiers carry the pedigree of Urban Chestnut Zwickel. Its gold medals at the 2019 Great International Beer & Cider Competition, 2017 LA International Beer Competition, and 2016 World Beer Championships, plus a 92-point Wine Enthusiast rating, confirm what the glass already tells you: this is an exceptionally well-made unfiltered lager. The single decoction mash and exclusive use of Hallertau noble hops demonstrate a level of traditional German technique that most American craft lagers simply don't attempt. At 5.1% ABV and 19 IBU, it delivers genuine complexity without demanding your full attention — a sessionable, food-friendly beer rooted in centuries of Bavarian brewing tradition.