Weihenstephaner Hefeweissbier Dunkel
Bayerische Staatsbrauerei Weihenstephan


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- From:
- Bayerische Staatsbrauerei Weihenstephan
- Germany
- Style:
- Wheat Beer - Dunkelweizen
Ranked #1 - ABV:
- 5.3%
- Score:
- 94
Ranked #1,958 - Avg:
- 4.25 | pDev: 10.12%
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- May 04, 2022
- Added:
- Jul 30, 2001
- Wants:
- 381
- Gots:
- 506
SCORE
94
Outstanding
94
Outstanding


Notes:
Our dark wheat beer is impressive with its creamy white foam. A fruity-fresh sweetness and hints of mature bananas harmonise with delicious flavours of roasted malt, sparkling and full-bodied with a light caramel taste on the first sip. An excellent accompaniment from hearty meals and game to chocolate and nut desserts. Brewed according to our centuries-old brewing tradition on the Weihenstephan hill.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
5/5 rDev +17.6%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
by sglooney316 from Texas
I was very lucky to visit the Brewery on my trip to Germany. The beer from tap is great.
May 04, 2022
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
by sglooney316 from Texas
I was very lucky to visit the Brewery on my trip to Germany. The beer from tap is great.
May 04, 2022
4.42/5 rDev +4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
by Treyliff from West Virginia
Bottle poured into a snifter
A- Pours a deep amber color with a ruby hue, two-finger foamy white head eventually settles into one-finger with great retention
S- lots of fruity esters on the nose with aromas of overripe banana, figs, raisins, cherries and apple. Undertones of fruit cake, caramel, twizzler candy, clove and cocoa
T- the fruity esters follow the nose up front, with notes of banana, pears, apples, figs and dark cherries. Mid-palate gives malty notes of brown bread, caramel and a hint of chocolate. The finish gives some peppery yeasty notes that adds cloves as well as some phenolic notes. Lingers of wheat, clove and brown bread
M- medium body with moderate carbonation leads to a foamy mouthfeel that continues into a crisp finish, high drinkability
O- certainly a standard bearer of the style, one of the best
Apr 20, 2022
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
by Treyliff from West Virginia
Bottle poured into a snifter
A- Pours a deep amber color with a ruby hue, two-finger foamy white head eventually settles into one-finger with great retention
S- lots of fruity esters on the nose with aromas of overripe banana, figs, raisins, cherries and apple. Undertones of fruit cake, caramel, twizzler candy, clove and cocoa
T- the fruity esters follow the nose up front, with notes of banana, pears, apples, figs and dark cherries. Mid-palate gives malty notes of brown bread, caramel and a hint of chocolate. The finish gives some peppery yeasty notes that adds cloves as well as some phenolic notes. Lingers of wheat, clove and brown bread
M- medium body with moderate carbonation leads to a foamy mouthfeel that continues into a crisp finish, high drinkability
O- certainly a standard bearer of the style, one of the best
Apr 20, 2022
4.61/5 rDev +8.5%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
by BitteNochEinWeissbier from Pennsylvania
0.5L bottle
Bottle Date: 7500 => 13 Dec, 2020
Consumed on: 13-apr-2022
Glass: 0.5L Hefeweizen Vase
Temp at Pour: mid-40s F
Look:
Opaque and cloudy brown (or dark burnished copper). I can't see my finger through the glass, not even the narrow part. Initial 2-finger thick and creamy off-white head. The head dissipates to a 1-finger head of the same quality with good lacing.
Smell:
Ripe banana with hints of citrus. Dark wheat bread. Hints of chocolate or cocoa. Also cloves.
Taste:
Consistent with the nose. Ripe banana and fruits/citrus with more prominent cocoa and fresh bread notes. The cloves mix in well and bite slightly at the end.
Feel:
Smooth and creamy with noticeable carbonation. The body is medium to medium-full
Overall:
An absolutely wonderful Dunkelweizen from a top-notch brewery that I have enjoyed for many a year. It earns its #1 rating, which it has held as long as I can remember. This beer is a must try for anyone who likes Weissbiers.
Apr 14, 2022
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
by BitteNochEinWeissbier from Pennsylvania
0.5L bottle
Bottle Date: 7500 => 13 Dec, 2020
Consumed on: 13-apr-2022
Glass: 0.5L Hefeweizen Vase
Temp at Pour: mid-40s F
Look:
Opaque and cloudy brown (or dark burnished copper). I can't see my finger through the glass, not even the narrow part. Initial 2-finger thick and creamy off-white head. The head dissipates to a 1-finger head of the same quality with good lacing.
Smell:
Ripe banana with hints of citrus. Dark wheat bread. Hints of chocolate or cocoa. Also cloves.
Taste:
Consistent with the nose. Ripe banana and fruits/citrus with more prominent cocoa and fresh bread notes. The cloves mix in well and bite slightly at the end.
Feel:
Smooth and creamy with noticeable carbonation. The body is medium to medium-full
Overall:
An absolutely wonderful Dunkelweizen from a top-notch brewery that I have enjoyed for many a year. It earns its #1 rating, which it has held as long as I can remember. This beer is a must try for anyone who likes Weissbiers.
Apr 14, 2022
4.25 by Beecham from California on Apr 10, 2022
4.91 by ALeX117 on Apr 06, 2022
3.83 by BillDakelski from Oklahoma on Apr 06, 2022
4.25 by cryptichead from Illinois on Apr 03, 2022
4.61 by irishevans from California on Mar 13, 2022
4.25 by Sludgeman from District of Columbia on Mar 05, 2022
4.51 by lonestarshield from Texas on Feb 12, 2022
4.67/5 rDev +9.9%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
by okcool121299
Excellent beer rich and creamy pours into the glass nice. Nice to sip and just taste the richness of it slowly. Big malty flavours which I like, rich luxurious good beer at a reasonable price. I got this and a white chimay belgian beer on the same night which was more expensive and I honestly preferred this one. The dark colour and texture of the beer is blissful
Feb 04, 2022
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
by okcool121299
Excellent beer rich and creamy pours into the glass nice. Nice to sip and just taste the richness of it slowly. Big malty flavours which I like, rich luxurious good beer at a reasonable price. I got this and a white chimay belgian beer on the same night which was more expensive and I honestly preferred this one. The dark colour and texture of the beer is blissful
Feb 04, 2022
4.34 by clm9 from North Carolina on Jan 07, 2022
4.12 by Hazey92 from New York on Dec 29, 2021
4.16/5 rDev -2.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
by MikeWard from Pennsylvania
On tap at Sabatinis early this evening.
Mixed look here. Murky dark amber body. However, the off white head retains very well leaving rings of lacing.
Nice aroma, mix of apple and banana. A little musty.
Tasty beer. Apple and mushy banana. A very light spice hit. Quite sweet but the spice balances it out.
Mouth above medium, finish very clean.
Overall, mild but tasty dunkelweizen. Would certainly have again
Dec 28, 2021
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
by MikeWard from Pennsylvania
On tap at Sabatinis early this evening.
Mixed look here. Murky dark amber body. However, the off white head retains very well leaving rings of lacing.
Nice aroma, mix of apple and banana. A little musty.
Tasty beer. Apple and mushy banana. A very light spice hit. Quite sweet but the spice balances it out.
Mouth above medium, finish very clean.
Overall, mild but tasty dunkelweizen. Would certainly have again
Dec 28, 2021
4.01/5 rDev -5.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
by ZebulonXZogg from Illinois
Pours a monstrous, frothy, slightly cloudy brown, huge foamy head. Snot locker gets banana and clove. Flavors are similar. This is surprisingly good.
Dec 21, 2021
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
by ZebulonXZogg from Illinois
Pours a monstrous, frothy, slightly cloudy brown, huge foamy head. Snot locker gets banana and clove. Flavors are similar. This is surprisingly good.
Dec 21, 2021
4.5 by Tenebris on Dec 09, 2021
4 by TWStandley from Massachusetts on Dec 07, 2021
4.25 by Bigmoist from West Virginia on Dec 07, 2021
3.91 by Daneve76 from Australia on Nov 22, 2021
4.56/5 rDev +7.3%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
by detgfrsh from Texas
From a bottle. Medium brown color with a half inch of foamy cream-colored head. Distinctive clove and banana smell. Medium body and soft, creamy feel. Roasted malt and cloves with a slight bitterness on the finish. Excellent
Nov 13, 2021
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
by detgfrsh from Texas
From a bottle. Medium brown color with a half inch of foamy cream-colored head. Distinctive clove and banana smell. Medium body and soft, creamy feel. Roasted malt and cloves with a slight bitterness on the finish. Excellent
Nov 13, 2021
3.81 by MatthewJW from Wisconsin on Nov 10, 2021
4.15 by samEBC from Belgium on Nov 07, 2021
5/5 rDev +17.6%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
by ATL6245 from Georgia
Appearance: Cloudy, saddle brown. Thick creamy off white head with excellent retention
Aroma: Yeasty, with notes of clove, banana and hint of cocoa.
Flavor & aftertaste: Clove, banana & hint of dark malt. Restrained bitterness. Semi-sweet
Mouth feel: Full bodied, creamy. Not astringent.
Overall: Superior German craftmanship on this world class Dunkelweiss. Exhibits the yeasty character you expect with a hint of dark malt. Full bodied, creamy, luxurious mouth feel. Just enough bitterness to remind you it's a beer. Perfectly enjoyable to drink and can serve as a benchmark for the style. Rated it vs others of same style. Can find nothing to count off for.
Sep 30, 2021
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
by ATL6245 from Georgia
Appearance: Cloudy, saddle brown. Thick creamy off white head with excellent retention
Aroma: Yeasty, with notes of clove, banana and hint of cocoa.
Flavor & aftertaste: Clove, banana & hint of dark malt. Restrained bitterness. Semi-sweet
Mouth feel: Full bodied, creamy. Not astringent.
Overall: Superior German craftmanship on this world class Dunkelweiss. Exhibits the yeasty character you expect with a hint of dark malt. Full bodied, creamy, luxurious mouth feel. Just enough bitterness to remind you it's a beer. Perfectly enjoyable to drink and can serve as a benchmark for the style. Rated it vs others of same style. Can find nothing to count off for.
Sep 30, 2021
3.37/5 rDev -20.7%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
by TheBigBoy from Pennsylvania
strong Dunkel, good feel and taste that is expected from a long standing brewer. Dark and hearty, a solid effort on this offering outside the mainstream style
Sep 12, 2021
look: 3.25 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
by TheBigBoy from Pennsylvania
strong Dunkel, good feel and taste that is expected from a long standing brewer. Dark and hearty, a solid effort on this offering outside the mainstream style
Sep 12, 2021
4.1 by travelguy from Ohio on Sep 10, 2021
4.34/5 rDev +2.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
by LanceBiggums from Canada (AB)
The colour of a quality Dunkel is truly beautiful, and this is no exception. Banana, yeast, clove, malt - these are both the nose and the taste. Good, but not long lasting. Mouthfeel is superb, silky smooth, the best part of this beer, as was the case with their original weissbier. Overall a great example of the style, and wonderfully drinkable.
Aug 24, 2021
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
by LanceBiggums from Canada (AB)
The colour of a quality Dunkel is truly beautiful, and this is no exception. Banana, yeast, clove, malt - these are both the nose and the taste. Good, but not long lasting. Mouthfeel is superb, silky smooth, the best part of this beer, as was the case with their original weissbier. Overall a great example of the style, and wonderfully drinkable.
Aug 24, 2021
4.29/5 rDev +0.9%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
by LukeGude from Iowa
Big bottle from John’s poured into stein. Unbelievably good head. Flavorful and drinkable.
Aug 13, 2021
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
by LukeGude from Iowa
Big bottle from John’s poured into stein. Unbelievably good head. Flavorful and drinkable.
Aug 13, 2021
4.25 by BEER88 from Washington on Jul 27, 2021
3 by Dalkri from Massachusetts on Jul 24, 2021
4.25 by NickMunford from Wyoming on Jul 18, 2021
4.46/5 rDev +4.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
by TheBricenator from Oregon
Look: A luscious looking amber-brown with a formidable off-white head that billows up and holds as a pillow, slowly receding and leaving great lacing behind
Aroma: Dark wheat bread, cloves, some banana, yeast, and a little bubblegum in the background
Taste: Rich and bready wheat malt kicks it off and quickly joined by nice clove and banana phenolics. Bread dough and wheat bread contend for the dominate spot as some bubblegum appears from time to time and finishes with wheat, clove, and banana
Mouthfeel: Full, silky smooth throughout, medium-high carbonation, and soft and smooth on the finish
Overall: This is delicious. One of my sucker styles and only one of a handful of times I’ve had this gem from my favorite Weissbier brewer on the planet. An outstanding Dunkelweizen through and through and pretty much flawless as well. A ridiculously tasty ode to dark wheat malt. Highly recommended
Jul 15, 2021
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
by TheBricenator from Oregon
Look: A luscious looking amber-brown with a formidable off-white head that billows up and holds as a pillow, slowly receding and leaving great lacing behind
Aroma: Dark wheat bread, cloves, some banana, yeast, and a little bubblegum in the background
Taste: Rich and bready wheat malt kicks it off and quickly joined by nice clove and banana phenolics. Bread dough and wheat bread contend for the dominate spot as some bubblegum appears from time to time and finishes with wheat, clove, and banana
Mouthfeel: Full, silky smooth throughout, medium-high carbonation, and soft and smooth on the finish
Overall: This is delicious. One of my sucker styles and only one of a handful of times I’ve had this gem from my favorite Weissbier brewer on the planet. An outstanding Dunkelweizen through and through and pretty much flawless as well. A ridiculously tasty ode to dark wheat malt. Highly recommended
Jul 15, 2021
4.69/5 rDev +10.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
by Whyteboar from Michigan
The world’s oldest brewery? Okay, I’ll give them a shot.
Glad I did! This is a good looking, great smelling and awesome tasting beer that clocks in at 5.3% ABV. No idea how they got so much body and flavor with that ABV, but wow. Darn near sessionable and it’s tasty enough to want to. May need to keep a few of these around at all times.
The feel is smooth and very full, which contradicts what it feels like in the stomach, not very filling; like you could drink them all day.
Hmmm, may need to try that.
Jul 11, 2021
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
by Whyteboar from Michigan
The world’s oldest brewery? Okay, I’ll give them a shot.
Glad I did! This is a good looking, great smelling and awesome tasting beer that clocks in at 5.3% ABV. No idea how they got so much body and flavor with that ABV, but wow. Darn near sessionable and it’s tasty enough to want to. May need to keep a few of these around at all times.
The feel is smooth and very full, which contradicts what it feels like in the stomach, not very filling; like you could drink them all day.
Hmmm, may need to try that.
Jul 11, 2021
4.76/5 rDev +12%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75
by SMDEE from Louisiana
Appearance - Into a wizen glass, it poured a cloudy caramel color with a healthy one-finger, creamy head that dissipated into beautiful lacing.
Smell - Aroma was pleasant, notably of banana and grain. Mildly sweet and bready smell.
Taste - The flavor is consistent with the aromas. Banana and grain are most noticeable but not overpowering in any way. A slight toasty bitterness perfectly counters the mild sweetness. From the appearance, I expected some caramel but didn’t detect it. The aftertaste lingers clean and light with a tiny hint of residual bitterness and sweetness. Very nice.
Mouthfeel - Creamy and full with moderate carbonation. This beer sits in the belly somewhat lighter than the mouthfeel would suggest.
Overall - I am not a huge fan of wheat beers but this one is outstanding. The slight toasty flavor balances the sweetness that I find off-putting in most of the wheat beers I have sampled. This is a keeper. Will add this one to the rotation.
Jul 11, 2021
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75
by SMDEE from Louisiana
Appearance - Into a wizen glass, it poured a cloudy caramel color with a healthy one-finger, creamy head that dissipated into beautiful lacing.
Smell - Aroma was pleasant, notably of banana and grain. Mildly sweet and bready smell.
Taste - The flavor is consistent with the aromas. Banana and grain are most noticeable but not overpowering in any way. A slight toasty bitterness perfectly counters the mild sweetness. From the appearance, I expected some caramel but didn’t detect it. The aftertaste lingers clean and light with a tiny hint of residual bitterness and sweetness. Very nice.
Mouthfeel - Creamy and full with moderate carbonation. This beer sits in the belly somewhat lighter than the mouthfeel would suggest.
Overall - I am not a huge fan of wheat beers but this one is outstanding. The slight toasty flavor balances the sweetness that I find off-putting in most of the wheat beers I have sampled. This is a keeper. Will add this one to the rotation.
Jul 11, 2021
4.75 by trickynicky from Maryland on Jul 08, 2021
4.95/5 rDev +16.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 5
by AllAboutTheStout from Arkansas
My introduction to Dunkel was Modelo Negra, which is a lovely inexpensive beer. And in my quest to find a traditional Dunkel, I purchased this pint bottle of Weihenstephaner. Why would you drink anything else? It will ruin you for anything else! Fruity flavor, no bitterness, a bit of a citrus smell but a banana flavor. If I could have this on tap in my house I would. Please, they’ve been making this since 1040. I think they’ve figured out how to make beer.
Jun 30, 2021
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 5
by AllAboutTheStout from Arkansas
My introduction to Dunkel was Modelo Negra, which is a lovely inexpensive beer. And in my quest to find a traditional Dunkel, I purchased this pint bottle of Weihenstephaner. Why would you drink anything else? It will ruin you for anything else! Fruity flavor, no bitterness, a bit of a citrus smell but a banana flavor. If I could have this on tap in my house I would. Please, they’ve been making this since 1040. I think they’ve figured out how to make beer.
Jun 30, 2021
4.23/5 rDev -0.5%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
by HarlotBronte from District of Columbia
L: Cloudy copper with beautiful creamy white foam that dissipates slowly.
S: Banana bread and malt
T: Banana, clove, caramel
F: Full, moderate carbonation
O: Good dark beer for the summer
Jun 29, 2021
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
by HarlotBronte from District of Columbia
L: Cloudy copper with beautiful creamy white foam that dissipates slowly.
S: Banana bread and malt
T: Banana, clove, caramel
F: Full, moderate carbonation
O: Good dark beer for the summer
Jun 29, 2021
4.38 by o29 from Texas on Jun 21, 2021
4.18 by Jsalz21 from New Jersey on Jun 11, 2021
3 by doctorgary from New York on Jun 04, 2021
4.51/5 rDev +6.1%
look: 4.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
by lastmango from Pennsylvania
Poured a cloudy copper color with a big frothy three-finger cream head that dissipated slowly. Beautiful heavy lacing was present. Light malt and banana bread nose. Roasted malt, caramel, light banana, and fresh baked bread. Moderate-full body with moderate carbonation with a bit of slickness that feels so good rolling around on the tongue. This is an awesome beer that I could drink forever!
May 19, 2021
look: 4.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
by lastmango from Pennsylvania
Poured a cloudy copper color with a big frothy three-finger cream head that dissipated slowly. Beautiful heavy lacing was present. Light malt and banana bread nose. Roasted malt, caramel, light banana, and fresh baked bread. Moderate-full body with moderate carbonation with a bit of slickness that feels so good rolling around on the tongue. This is an awesome beer that I could drink forever!
May 19, 2021
Weihenstephaner Hefeweissbier Dunkel from Bayerische Staatsbrauerei Weihenstephan
Beer rating:
94 out of
100 with
3310 ratings