Altbairisch Dunkel
Hofbräuhaus Traunstein Josef Sailer KG

I've had this several times, generally from a bottle imported to the US. When it is fresh, it has a slight roasted flavor, but I've had it a couple of times when it basically tastes like a typical dark lager. Blindfolded, would it differ from a yellow one?

on draft at a restaurant in Kufstein, Austria. Served in half liter mug

dark chestnut brown in color, with off-white colored head. good head retention. nice dark malt aroma and taste - caramel, bread crust, a touch of cocoa. but easy drinking, smooth feel.

 

 

 

 

 

Served on tap at Zum Schneider in Montauk, NY

A: Pours a lightly hazy medium brown in color with some light garnet red highlights when held up to the light. The beer has a finger tall dark beige head that reduces to a thick film covering the entire surface of the beer with a thicker ring at the edges of the glass. Light amounts of lacing are observed.

S: Moderate to strong aromas of dark and caramel malts but with very little associated sweetness.

T: Light to moderate flavors of dark and caramel malts with some light notes of sweetness. Very light notes of dark fruit (currents) and some light bitterness which does not linger.

M: Medium bodied with moderate amounts of carbonation. Lightly chewy.

O: Nice amounts of complexity and very enjoyable. Pretty easy to drink but there is just a hint of alcohol presence - probably too strong to be sessionable.

 

On-tap at Zum Schneider, Montauk, NY

A: The beer is cloudy brownish amber in color and resembles freshly squeezed apple cider. It poured with a finger high frothy beige head that has good retention properties.
S: There are moderately strong aromas of caramel and dark malts in the nose.
T: Similar to the smell, the taste has flavors of caramel and dark malts along with notes of black currants and hints of malty sweetness.
M: it feels medium-bodied and a bit chewy on the palate with a moderate amount of carbonation.
O: The beer is quite complex for the style and very easy to drink.

 

 

 

Part of my Bierverkostung at Lindenbrau Potsdamer Platz, Berlin. Served in a .2L glass.

A: One finger head, very creamy and thick. Dark brown.

Sm: A little roast. Hops.

T: Hops, a bit of chocolate. Strange build and balance. Too few hops. Finish is a bit bland.

Mf: Crisp. Will have you smacking your lips, but is also dry at the climax, which is a welcome change.

Dr: Good, but very overpriced.

Enjoyed a large glass of this at this old restaurant outside downtown Munich, which was just a splendid place to be. Dark reddish brown, off white head. Malty and spicy on the nose. Spicy flavor, more spicy and dry than a lot of Dunkels. Nice, expressive yeast. This was a good one, though I'm reviewing it from notes and I don't remember as much as I would like.

Having a small draw of the hopfingerbra, hauptbahnhof/ermny. Came e/ amall fead no lace.color is a deep brown w/ cherry highlights.smell & taste are wonderful. LOTS o roasted barley giving.burnt sugae £ toffee. Not much hop. Body seem a. Bit thin tho.good finish.session beer.

One of the house offerings at Winklmeier Hof in Reibersdorf, Germany, 0.5L serving.

Dark brown and rich in appearance, a pillowy white head sat firmly atop this offering vom Fass. Sticky lace ensued. Clean on the nose, hints of roasted malts, fruity esthers. Smooth flavors, very much so, and creamy to the highest degree. Nice finish with the roasted malts playing well with hints of coffee and a touch of chocolate.

One of my favorites from Germany. Despite the heat during our trip, this is one Bier hat I simply could not turn down.

Zum wohl!

I had this beer at Klostergasthof Raitenhaslach, an former brewery and monastery now restaurant in Bavaria, not far from the small city of Burghausen.

Appearance: Served in a mug with a handle the beer is dark braown with a slight orange hue. The head is frothy and tan and leaves very nice remnants of lacing on the sides of the mug.

Smell: Roasty and malty in the nose with a bit of caramel malt scent.

Taste: Roasty, nutty and crisp malt flavor. Notes of almond skin, sand and a big time fruity character. Perhaps cherries or raisins with a sweet and roasty aftertaste.

Mouthfeel: Dry, well carbonated, smooth and clean.

Drinkability: All around a good beer that is highly drinkable. Well balanced and tasty. A great beer to end the day with in the biergarden.

Pours a nice dark coffee color. Can see through the glass, not cloudy. Head stays around throughout. Nice toasty, chocolaty nose. Lots of malt, a little sweet, maybe some fruit, chocolate and barely a hint of coffee. This stuff is very drinkable. Very nice. Another fine offer from Ayinger. Don't pass it up