Munich Dunkels

Harpoon Dark and Jack's Abby Red Tape are usually available around here in the winter. I love the style and would like to see more of it.

 

I'm hesitant to suggest it as it's draft only (Given that COVID is likely to keep things closed up), but Hacker Pschorr Munich Dark is another good example.

 

Hofbrau Freising if you can get it, they get the feel right, better than any of the other major players. It should be malty and rounded, very slightly sweet, with a nod towards toasted pumpernickel; overt roastiness isn't proper for the style and throws off the balance too much.

HB is good, but could be richer with the malt.

 

You're in luck! Schilling just released another batch of their interpretation: Georg

 

Another really good one is Weltenburger Kloster Barock Dunkel.

https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/1315/4920/

 

Flensburger dunkel used to be around locally for me. But haven’t seen it at all recently, have you seen them in stores. The cool small growler bottles?

Our local place, tonewood, brews a pretty decent dunkel every fall. Should be coming around soon unfortunately that doesn’t help you in CT but if you’re ever in south jersey...

 

Hofbräu Dunkel is fairly accessible, but try and get Ayinger Alt-Bairisch if you can get it. Those are my favorite import versions!

 

I used to feel the same way, but I got a particularly fresh six-pack a few weeks ago that really shined with the bready malts.

HB was my favorite Dunkel in Munich, so I was really happy it was tasting so good.

But I'll also second the Weltenburger -- when fresh, as well.

 

If you can obtain fresh Hofbrau Freising just keep buying that beer. They made a drop in my area a couple/few years ago in my area and I very much enjoyed those beers when they were fresh. A year+ later those same beers were there and quite dusty.

I personally very much enjoy the Von Trapp Dunkel and unlike Hofbrau Freising I can readily find those beers fresh.

Cheers!

 

If you’ve had the ayinger version, stop looking. It doesn’t get any better.

 

Honestly, outside the ones you mentioned, you won’t do much better. I’ll second the Hofbrauhaus Freisling by @TongoRad

 

Almost forgot Dorfbier by Urban Chestnut.

It's a little hoppy bitter to-style, but the great malt character makes up for that.

In my review I call it the best American (so to speak) take on the style that I've ever tried.

 

It's a great style, wish there were more to choose from. Hofbräu and Ayinger are far and away my two favorites. I'd put Urban Chestnut Dorfbier up there as well. But sadly, we don't get it anymore in NJ.

Von Trapp Dunkel is okay but not as smooth as those. Jack's Abby Red Tape drinks more like a Vienna or amber lager to me.

 

Agreed on both counts, but they're both tasty beers in their own right. They just don't scratch that itch. Now if you were to blend them...

 

I really enjoyed
Altbayrisch Dunkel from
Private Landbrauerei Schönram, but I had to buy it online.

 

The guidelines are for Munich area beers, when you get to Franconia they do have more bitterness and hop flavor.

 

And more roastiness, understood. But I didn't get any roasted character in the UC Dorf.

And UC considers the Dorf a Munich Dunkel.

 

My biggest disappointment this year is not being on a long trip through Germany now. My wife and I were planning 6 to 8 weeks back in January. Someday we will do that.

Autocorrect got you, as it often does me.

 

Caught it, thanks.