Kulmbacher Dark Lager
Sly Fox Brewing Company

 

The pour into my Spaten becker glass raises a lofty 3/4 inch light tan head head over an amber body that appears to have many small particulates suspended within. The head falls slowly, and leaves lots of suds as it does. The nose is yeasty, bready, and filled with toffee notes, along with cereal grain scents. The taste is rich, caramelly, and bready. Not deep, but quite nice. The mouth is fairly thick (for a lower ABV lager, that is), and the carbonation is too high, unless poured a little hard. I certainly will enjoy the rest of my case!

From a 12oz can labled as Sly Fox Dunkel Lager
An almost clear, dark brownish amber colored beer, which shows bright reddish amber hues when held up to the light. Poured from the can it forms an initially two-finger thick, light tan color. Crap! Buttery notes of diacetyl greets my nose from the get go. Underneath this is a dry, toasty malt character that leans towards biscuit notes. Unfortunately all I can think of is movie popcorn, though I will admit the aroma is not yet rank.

Lightly sweet, and definitely malty up front. After my first sip the diacetyl flavors are not too bad, though they do seam to pick up as time goes on. As long as I don't inhale as I take a sip the diacetyl remains at a reduced level. There are some toasty malt notes of caramel and biscuits noticeable as well. I get the sense that this would be a decent Dunkel if the diacetyl was in check. I think it might need a bit more maltiness, but it is hard to tell. As the beer warms my taste buds become diacetyl soaked and it becomes a bit more drinkable. There is a decent maltiness here that is really nice. Without the diacetyl this might even be an outstanding lager.

Dark brown color, luscious off-white head. Smells like raw, unmalted, green barley. Tastes again like raw grain, like you're chewing on some barley, with a handful of hops backing it up. Balanced, and a different take on the style. A fine beer, and if you want to show someone what barley really tastes like, this would be a good way to give an example. I don't really feel the need to drink this again though. Clean finish, medium carbonation.

Appearance: Black with crimson highlights. Thin, creamy, light tan head. Limited retention.

Aroma: Clean. Dark caramelish malt.

Flavor: Dark caramel malt, scortched sugar, very mild toastiness, sublime hops underneath.

Mouthfeel: Medium bodied with a crisp carbonation.

Drinkability: Clean. Straightforward. A good interperetation of the style. Quite enjoyable.

This beer arrived at my table with no room for any head, poured "biker style". After a few sips, there was room to swirl it around and produce a thin, tan head that actually had decent retention and left a little lacing behind. The beer itself was a clear chestnut brown and carbonation was apparent by a constant stream of bubbles. Malty aroma with notes of chocolate and nuts along with light toffee. Mild bitterness with plenty of malt. Toffee and chocolate with a bit of grain and nuts filled things out. The yeast profile was very clean with no notable fruit character. Creamy texture, medium/light bodied with a bit of residual sugar smoothness. Very nice. An enjoyable dunkel with enough malt to keep it from being overly crisp.

At Royersford, this pours from the tap with a deep mahogany topped with a sandy coating.

Light aroma of grain and some wet leather.

First swigs: Light grain waffles and sweet with a raw grain like oat bread. Some buttered toast. Light flavor overall. Toasted malt and hint of cocoa.

Medium bodied with a soft foamy feel, while drinkable

Last swigs: A benign easy drinker of the style that won't overwhelm. Heck, the guy next to me bought a growler so it must be accepted in the right circle.

This beer looked like flat coke with slight burgundy highlights and no head to speak of at all.

Smelled of sweet old brown apples, molasses, green grapes and a speck of biscuits with some spicy yeast.

Tasted big and hoppy up front but mellowed into a slight brown sugar and bread dough.

The mouth feel was light to medium bodied with a small bubbled thick carbonation.

Over all, I found it a bit spicy for the style, but not too bad.

Kulmbacher Dark Lager – on-tap at Sly Fox Royersford

Appearance: I did not see the head when it was poured but it was a very attractive dark amber/brown (partly transparent) with minimal clear lacing on the glass.

Smell: Sweet and malty with a bit of caramel.

Taste: This is a simple straightforward dark lager that is very approachable and easy to drink. It is a bit of caramel and that classic amber red malt taste that is so common but tasty. there is also a slightly buttery attribute. This is a beer for drinking :)

Mouthfeel: This beer is appropriately light and very smooth with a sweet crisp finish.

Drinkability: This one is a session beer to me. Very easy going, very quaffable.

Hope this is helpful.
Cheers!

Had this on tap at Royersford.

Appearance: Clear dark amber in color with a short 1/2" head. No lacing develops.

Smell: The aroma is of caramel only.

Taste: the flavor has a slight nuttiness to it along with a nice malty backbone. Some caramel and mild bitterness round it out.

Mouthfeel: somewhat lighter in body. Mouthfeel was crisp at the start and partially smooth at the finish. The soft nuttiness and caramel tones lingers briefly on the tongue after swallowing.

Drinkability: a nicely drinkable dunkel and a worthy selection among all the great Sly Fox brews that were available to me during my brief trip to Royersford.