Dunkel
Kinslahger Brewing Company

 

 

 

16oz can "best by 4/6/21" poured into an imperial pint glass shows a dark mahogany brown body that, when backlit, shines a clear dark amber, and briefly floats a proud 1" head of soapy bubbles that falls to a large island and ring leaving sheets of lacing on the run.

Aroma is predominantly roasty malt and fresh air that matches the more-bitter-than-sweet roasted malt flavor.

Mouthfeel is a clean medium.

Overall an easy drinking dark lager.

Pours a dark matte brown color initially. As it settles, it clears up and takes on a brighter amber tinged brown color. Three finger velvety tan head dissipates leaving just a thin layer of bubbles on top of the beer.

Aroma has notes of light grain, dark bread - pumpernickel, cocoa, and some light grassy, earthy hops on the back end. The pumpernickel notes provide a touch of spiciness to the overall flavor profile.

Taste follows the nose with notes of pumpernickel bread, cocoa, some very light grainy notes and a spicy earthy hop bite on the back end. The bready malts provide most of the flavor profile.

Feel is medium bodied, with a smooth mouthfeel. Prickly carbonation.

Overall a very nice dunkel from Kinslahger. They've really honed this one In over the years and the result is a great beer.

 

I drank this at a beer-fest and only had time to rate it. So now, I want to give Kinslahger a micro-review since it is unlikely I will find them again... having moved from Chicagoland.

Chicago has several micros specialising in lagers. During the last decade, several of the same specialists have opened in Chicago's suburbs. Kinslahger was one of the early ones, Oak Park being an inner suburb. But since there now appears to be a lager micro-revolution going on and Kinslahger was one of the early suburban specialists, why hasn't Kinslagher grown with the movement ? While they have a pretty taproom, it is only open 4 days a week. They also have not developed much of a menu and still lean on nearby restaurants (which is both good for consumers and limits the beer-drinking.) Kinslagher also could provide more of website and explain themselves better.

All that said, I still give Kinslagher good Overall Hugs for having been at the forefront of the suburban Chicago lager micro-revolution!