Penn Dark
Pennsylvania Brewing Company
- From:
- Pennsylvania Brewing Company
- Pennsylvania, United States
- Style:
- Munich Dunkel
Ranked #58 - ABV:
- 5%
- Score:
- 87
Ranked #23,169 - Avg:
- 3.87 | pDev: 11.89%
- Ratings:
- | reviews: 279
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- Apr 13, 2026
- Added:
- Aug 27, 2001
- Wants:
- 57
- Gots:
- 63
SCORE
87
Very Good
87
Very Good
Munich and various roasted malts give it a very malty, rich flavor with a hint of burnt flavor. 100% imported Hallertau hops, moderate bitterness and aroma.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by Samnem:
Rated by Samnem from Pennsylvania
4/5 rDev +3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Mar 13, 2023
4/5 rDev +3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Mar 13, 2023
More User Ratings:
Reviewed by jjamadorphd from Florida
3.57/5 rDev -7.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
3.57/5 rDev -7.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
A solid enough dunkel...
Looks great coming out of the can, dark caramel color, very rich to the eyes with a decent though short-lived head. The smell is somewhat muted - can't really discern the hops to it, but the mouthfeel is lighter than expected and crisp. For the most part the taste is muted as well, but I still note breadiness, some roast, and a touch of toffee. Decent enough and I am glad I picked up a 6er of it...
Dec 26, 2025Looks great coming out of the can, dark caramel color, very rich to the eyes with a decent though short-lived head. The smell is somewhat muted - can't really discern the hops to it, but the mouthfeel is lighter than expected and crisp. For the most part the taste is muted as well, but I still note breadiness, some roast, and a touch of toffee. Decent enough and I am glad I picked up a 6er of it...
Rated by ttoadee from Texas
3.5/5 rDev -9.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
3.5/5 rDev -9.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
RB transfer
Aug 06, 2025
Reviewed by Wattie83 from Pennsylvania
3.87/5 rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
3.87/5 rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Poured from 12oz bottle to a pilsner glass. Look is deep chestnut color with some ruby highlights. An ivory head falls to a 1/2" cap. Looks pretty still in the glass. Smell is nutty, bready malt, almost a bit smokey, but not to the degree of a smoked malt beer. Taste starts sweet with a healthy dose of sweet brown bread. A shot of bitter, earthy hops provides some balance to the sweetness. The finish has some minerality and mixed nuttiness in there. Underneath it all is a little bit of fruit and cocoa. The feel is medium bodied with a little carbonation, but not overly effervescent. Overall, this may have been the first Munich Dunkel that I encountered a long time ago. This is still a solid offering, and even better when fresh on tap at the brewery. One of Penn's best offerings.
Jul 09, 2024Reviewed by Lexluthor33 from New York
3.83/5 rDev -1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
3.83/5 rDev -1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Dark, chestnut brown color with a medium sized head and a beige, foamy lace.
Aroma of grains, roasted malts and yeast.
The taste was fruit hints, caramel, chocolate, sweet and smoky with a malty backbone.
Feel was light in body with medium carbonation.
Mar 09, 2024Aroma of grains, roasted malts and yeast.
The taste was fruit hints, caramel, chocolate, sweet and smoky with a malty backbone.
Feel was light in body with medium carbonation.
Rated by Norseman_Jd from Pennsylvania
5/5 rDev +29.2%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
5/5 rDev +29.2%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
my favorite beer
Jun 24, 2023
Reviewed by Blogjackets from Ohio
3.92/5 rDev +1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
3.92/5 rDev +1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Poured from a twelve ounce bottle, the body was cola color with a small head. Slight lacing.
Aroma and flavor were toasty malt. Body also had a moderate bitterness with a hint of sweet malt. Light to medium body and mouthfeel. An easy drinking beer that was very enjoyable.
Mar 20, 2023Aroma and flavor were toasty malt. Body also had a moderate bitterness with a hint of sweet malt. Light to medium body and mouthfeel. An easy drinking beer that was very enjoyable.
Reviewed by e12monsman from Pennsylvania
4.32/5 rDev +11.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
4.32/5 rDev +11.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
This isn't my first time tasting this, but I just drank one while eating some kielbasa my neighbor made. The beer is smooth with a hint of sweetness. A nice compliment to salty, smoked food.
The aftertaste is pleasant with a slight tongue numbing. Not bitter like lower-class dunkels. Let me tell you...it don't get better than that...Merry Christmas
Dec 24, 2022The aftertaste is pleasant with a slight tongue numbing. Not bitter like lower-class dunkels. Let me tell you...it don't get better than that...Merry Christmas
Rated by johnnnniee from New Hampshire
3.38/5 rDev -12.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
3.38/5 rDev -12.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
Working on cleaning up the backlog of notes I have. Sample enjoyed at the Brewery Location at the Airport.
Jul 31, 2022
Reviewed by DeaconWhite82 from Pennsylvania
4.1/5 rDev +5.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
4.1/5 rDev +5.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
A perfect choice for a traditional German dark. Clean, sweet. Refreshing. Penn Brewing has perfected the German brewing excellence. Should be be your every day go to beer
Jun 19, 2022
Reviewed by PapaGoose03 from Michigan
4.25/5 rDev +9.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.25/5 rDev +9.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Had it fresh at the brewery. So much better than the average BA rating that is calculated mostly from the bottled version of unknown freshness. A very nice malty, almost nutty, character with just a light roastiness that is well balanced with the hops.
Mar 05, 2022
Reviewed by puck1225 from Texas
3.96/5 rDev +2.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
3.96/5 rDev +2.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Nice dark lager. Purchased this bottle in Pittsburgh during Christmas. Poured into a tulip glass. Clear dark brown color with great head and curtain lacing. Slightly sweet and smokey roasted malt smell and taste. A bit of chocolate and root beer.
Jan 13, 2021
Rated by crazyspicychef from Pennsylvania
4.46/5 rDev +15.2%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
4.46/5 rDev +15.2%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Great Dunkle.
Another top notch beer from Penn.
Nov 14, 2020Another top notch beer from Penn.
We love reviews (150 characters or more)! Check out: How to Review a Beer. You don't need to get fancy. Drop some thoughts on the beer's attributes (look, smell, taste, feel) plus your overall impression. Something that backs up your rating and helps others. Thanks!