Ayinger Altbairisch Dunkel
Ayinger Privatbrauerei

Ayinger Altbairisch DunkelAyinger Altbairisch Dunkel
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From:
Ayinger Privatbrauerei
 
Germany
Style:
Munich Dunkel
Ranked #13
ABV:
5%
Score:
89
Ranked #11,494
Avg:
3.98 | pDev: 9.55%
Reviews:
683
Ratings:
1,348
Status:
Active
Rated:
Mar 03, 2024
Added:
Dec 13, 2001
Wants:
  108
Gots:
  151
Up until the Second World War, dark beer was the predominant beer type in the Munich area. The hard water found in the region played a special role in producing this specialty. In his book “Beer International”, the world-renowned English beer writer, Michael Jackson, accurately describes the Ayinger “Altbairisch Dunkel” as: “A good example of its kind. Impenetrably dark with a golden-brown gleam when held up to the light, and with a warm aroma and malty taste, while summoning up coffee taste sensations on going down. It is brewed from five types of malt (two of which are torrified dark), and it is only lightly hopped.” It is produced using the traditional double fermentation process.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by defunksta:
Photo of defunksta
Reviewed by defunksta from Wisconsin

4.23/5  rDev +6.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25
Appearance: Pours a clear, deep brown and amber color with a strong and creamy light tan head that sits for days. (4.25)

Aroma: Moderate aromas of rich dark bread, cocoa, toffee, caramel, and more bread notes with only a slight spice. (4.00)

Flavor: Strong flavors of toasted and roasted Munich malts giving flavors of dark breads, brown bread, black malt, some light tobacco notes, before a strong brown bread crust, sweet caramel malt finish. (4.25)

Feel: Medium-bodied. Moderate carbonation. Yet, a large, bready, mouthfeel. A silky, smooth and creamy finish. (3.75)

Compared to Hofbrau Dunkel 1/2023: Pours similar, similar aromas. More nuts, brown bread, chocolate. Less grains, flower, earthy Munich malt. More balanced here. Winner Ayinger.
3/2023: Pours similar, stronger head. More earthy grains, dark bread, chocolate, Less earthy honey, skunk, caramel. Dryer cleaner, and more complex
11/2023: Pours similar, stronger head. More earthy, chocolate, roasted flavors. Less smooth bread. Slightly drier and cleaner.

Compared to 608 Brewing Dunkel Dark Lager 3/2023: Pours lighter, similar head. Milder aromas. More earthy German yeast and bread. Less chocolate and grains. Dryer and cleaner with more carbonation.

to BlackStack Brewing Spare Parts 11/2023: Pours lighter, milder aromas. More earthy Munich bread malts. Less roast, orange hoppiness, and chocolate. Dryer, cleaner, more complex.

to KC Bier Co Dunke 1/2024: Pours nearly identical, similar aromas. More bread and yeast. Less earthy malts and chocolate. Less smooth. Winner: KC Bier

to Sam Adams Boston Lager 2/2024: Pours darker, larger head. Similar aromas. More bread and earthy notes. Less amber malt and sweet bread.

to Badger State SKI-BRW 3/2024: Pours lighter, stronger head. Stronger aromas. Less black malt, earthy, nutty notes. More caramel, brown bread, and sweetness.

Overall: This one just keeps getting better. The appearance was impressive. The nose was very nice and bready. Then on the flavor is when you really appreciate this one. It nails you with the deep and dark bready notes, cocoa, complex dark malt flavors, but goes back to the relying on the bread for the finish, without being too sweet. The complexity for 5% here is unparalleled. A top-notch dunkel and I've come to expect nothing less from this great brewery. (Rating: 4.23)
Jun 05, 2022
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 4.19 by Kost97

Mar 03, 2024
 
Rated: 4.19 by tdm168 from Pennsylvania

Feb 23, 2024
Photo of RFBSeit68
Reviewed by RFBSeit68

4.71/5  rDev +18.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
For those who don’t think they like dark beers…this is a great example of what beer should be. Great flavor, great feel, great way to spend a Sunday!
Feb 20, 2024
 
Rated: 4.42 by beerrat from Virginia

Jan 27, 2024
 
Rated: 4.5 by Bmham427 from West Virginia

Dec 04, 2023
 
Rated: 4.2 by KeithGreatNorth from Canada (BC)

Nov 26, 2023
 
Rated: 4 by FLBeerGuy from Florida

Nov 26, 2023
Photo of mpruden
Reviewed by mpruden from Ohio

4/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Poured from a 500 ml bottle into two oval Pilsner glasses.

Looi: Dark brown, with a two-fingers light tan head that lingered, leaving plenty of lacing.

Nose: Dark malt, dark dried fruit, a hint of brown sugar.

Mouthfeel: Medium, adequate carbonation.

Attack: Grain, dark malt, slight sweetness.

Finish: Slight hop bitterness to balance.

Overall: Very drinkable, and nice depth of flavor for the style. For my money, this is the standard to which to compare all Munich Dunkels. It’s also a great contrasting pairing for the venison stew we’re enjoying with it tonight.
Oct 16, 2023
Photo of mariposafan
Reviewed by mariposafan from Wisconsin

4.17/5  rDev +4.8%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.25
Reddish brown with a solid 3 finger head that lasts and laces. Smells sweet and malty, but little other character. Taste follows the aroma: sweet, malty but lacking other character that I was hoping for. Then again, very much to style. Feel is nice – nice body but a lot of carbonation to cut through it. Overall it’s a nice beer, but I might be measuring it against the Marzens I’ve been drinking lately and they have something else going for them.
Oct 14, 2023
 
Rated: 4 by HopBelT from Belgium

Oct 02, 2023
 
Rated: 4.04 by ctbeerman1 from Connecticut

Sep 01, 2023
 
Rated: 3.99 by PvtSnowball from Florida

Aug 29, 2023
Photo of branko7
Reviewed by branko7 from Illinois

4.6/5  rDev +15.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
I love this beer, and this style. Malty, balanced, drinkable, tasty. Just enough hops to keep it balanced. Not overly roasted. I wish it were still the dominant style in Munich!
Jul 26, 2023
 
Rated: 4.33 by The_Kriek_Freak from Pennsylvania

Jul 02, 2023
 
Rated: 3.5 by archero from Texas

Jun 09, 2023
 
Rated: 3.87 by Dethark from England

Jun 05, 2023
 
Rated: 3.78 by sweetbrew82 from California

May 13, 2023
 
Rated: 4 by Andyman22 from Texas

Apr 28, 2023
Ayinger Altbairisch Dunkel from Ayinger Privatbrauerei
Beer rating: 89 out of 100 with 1348 ratings