What happened to Dunkelweizen?

I was sad when Trader Joe's stopped selling the retired Josephs Brau Dunkelweizen. It was one of my mainstay beers.

I definitely prefer Dunkels to Hefes.

 

Just the Hefeweizen. Haven't seen the Dunkel.

 

When you ask "What happened to dunkelweizen", did it use to be more popular in the U.S., but has disappeared? I'm relatively new (6 years or so) to the current U.S. craft beer scene and culture, currently dominated by IPAs and BA Stouts, and don't know much about European brews. So I'm curious. Thanks!

 

Look what I found on the weekend!



Just sitting down to drink it. I will report back.
Cheers!

 

Not bad. The fruity notes are present in the nose to a greater degree than on the tongue. A little spicier than I remember having not had much of the style in a while. Pretty good. The brewery tends to do a decent job on the German styles they try to emulate.

 

Well, back when "craft beers" were still called "microbrews" (A great term we should get back to, IMHO), a lot, if not most, small breweries/brewpubs would make one. Often, I suspected, it was just the Hefe with darker malts, but, when one beer is on tap for 6 months, and the other beer for the other 6........

 

I’m with you. I wish there were more, but yeah, they’re just not sexy. Schneider Weisse Original is likely the most accurate historical representation of a Hefeweizen, but it is on the darker side as far as modern Hefeweizens go, so much so that the BJCP considers it a Dunkelweizen. That’s a widely available option, if you’re ok with it being in a stylistic grey area.

 

I frequent a German beer hall in my neighborhood, one which has a very strong following by German-Americans...and while it doesn't have the greatest German selection, brand wise, they stopped pouring DunkelWeizen beers three years ago, claiming the kegs would never empty. So even among this German clientele, the beer was not being had...same for Weizenbock.

For me, I like both - but I also see them as specialty beers that I treat myself to. Just like other German styles such as Eisbock and Rauchbier...the latter which I would reguarly consume were there affordable 6-pack options.

Anyway, the point is that beers need to move in order for breweries to distribute them, and right now craft beer is stuck on one channel.

 

In may area the same can be said for "normal" hefeweizen, too. It simply doesn't sell like it used to and per at least a few of the people brewing it, it's a hassle to dial in consistently.
Dark German-style beers don't seem to move in general, so that's a second strike against dunkelweizen. In Denver I think the Bull & Bush is the only place that has one on for more than 1/2 the year.

 

Time to bring the Dunkel into the 21st century by adding fruit, chocolate, coffee, vanilla, or cinnamon....

 

https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/73/458990/

 

You win the 'award'.

When I read the post by @HouseofWortship I thought to myself: how long until somebody provides an example of what he listed?

I am cynically thinking that there is at least one example of beer style A with crazy ingredients B, C, D,...

Cheers!

P.S. Did you read this post discussing brewing a beer utilizing rabbit!?!

https://www.beeradvocate.com/commun...b-on-triple-hopped-lager.633390/#post-6791375

 

If your store has access to the hefe, they should be able to get the dunkel, just ask. Like me, a shop won't buy stuff just for the sake of having but will special order something if there's enough interest from a well known customer. I can't see a reason I have this beer all the way in California and you all are closer to Germany and don't get it lol I'd imagine it's available.

 

Do you require they purchase the entire case?

Cheers!

 

Only if they aren't as well known. I've ordered for customers before trusting that they would return for the product only to find they never came back or took too long to come back. Regulars usually live in the general neighborhood and frequent the store often enough that we're on a first name basis and I know they'll be in to buy that case over time.

 

You forgot more hops.

I heard those are popular these days.

 

Maybe some breeder will develop bunny hops.

 

What happened to the head? I guess it's not a Dunkelweizen mit Hefetrüb?