Hofbräu Dunkel

I always overthink what glass a beer should go into before I take a picture, and this causes undo angst. The fact is, it doesn't really make a big difference in the taste of the beer, and that's what I'm here for. I go through the process of describing the color, head, and smell before I tuck in, but that's all just icing on the cake. Beer should taste good, and I can tolerate a crappy looking beer if it's got the taste. This beer, inevitably, I will have picked the wrong glass for.

The beer is darker than I expected, but that's because I'm an idiot, and it's been too long since I've had a dunkel. It's a very clear mahogany color with a full head that settles to a relatively even layer of mixed bubble sizes across the top of the beer and leaves no lacing. The aroma is rich, spicy malt, and I now remember what I liked about these beers.

First sip is sweet caramel malt with a bunch of spices piled on top over carbonation sizzle. It really seems like the carbonation is making the spices dance more than usual, and the result is a sweet, spice-filled ride into happy town. It's certainly not hoppy town, but that's not what this beer is about. 

Tip-in is sweet caramel and toffee with mild carbonation sizzle. The middle rises with spices and flowers and a louder, more vibrant carbonation. The finish is where the spices banish the malt for good and leave a sizzling path of destruction in its wake. 

Bottom Line: It's a nice change of pace.

3.0/5