Hoffmann Bavarian Dark
Climax Brewing Company

 

Dave's Bavarian Dark delivers a beautiful appearance with a clear copper body that has an orange-red cast to it, beneath a fluffly head of white foam that drops to become creamy and then holds a solid lid for quite some time. The lacing is nice as well, initially leaving creamy rings and short walls about the glass. In the nose, floral and spicy hops dance atop a lightly sweet and "juicy" dark-caramel accented maltiness. It's smooth and lightly creamy across the palate with a medium body and very-fine bubbled, moderate carbonation. The flavor is much as the aroma suggests with a rich, caramelish malt and loads of spicy and floral hops. It's well-balanced by a firm bitterness; and it finishes with some residual spicy hops. Quite nice!

On-tap at Barcade. Became known as "Bavarian Cream" instead of Bavarian Dark while briefly on tap at our joint as we all decided it tastes like a delicious cream-filled donut. Very sweet caramel and toasted malt aroma and a nice fruity malt flavor with other flavors of sweet bread and toast. One of the most delicious American lagers I've had in a long time. This should be brewed more often!

This was a brewery-produced growler courtesy of Lupe.

This poured out dark amber brown with a light topping of bubbles. Not much in the way of head but this could have been from what looked like some of the beer leaking and more air in the growler. Aroma was of sweet caramel malt with a touch of fruitiness and a strong roasted malt presence. The taste starts of a bit sweet before settling into a nice roasted malt flavor that last through the aftertaste and lingers for a bit. Mouthfeel was a bit thin but otherwise good. Drinkability was good, as I had no trouble finishing the growler prior to going out with some friends. Overall a tasty brew that is very sessionable, thanks again Lupe.

Brewery produced growler.

A shiny bronze body, topped by a four finger frothy white head which leaves a fisherman's net of lacing. Earthy nose is dominated by toasted malt. Taste is dominated by the toasted malts, with hops pushed far into the background. Finishes clean, with a tiny tingle of hops in the back of the roof of the mouth. Personaly, I'd like the mouthfeel a bit fuller, but perhaps I'm spoiled by the big pilsner which initiated the Hoffmann series. It is certainly nice drinking, and a quality session brew.

These days, it is a little hard for me to get highly excited about a dark lager, but this does bring to mind the simple days long ago when Becks Dark was a special holiday treat for my cousins and I.