8A Munich Dunkel

Question 1

8A Munich Dunkel - Overall Impression

Answer 1

A traditional malty brown lager from Bavaria. Deeply toasted, bready malt flavors without any roasty or burnt flavors. Smooth and rich, with a restrained bitterness and a relatively dry finish that allows for drinking in quantity.

Question 2

8A Munich Dunkel - Aroma

Answer 2

Moderate to high malt richness, like toasted bread crusts with hints of chocolate, nuts, caramel, or toffee. Fresh traditional versions often show higher levels of chocolate. The malt character is more malty-rich than sugary or caramelly sweet. Clean fermentation profile. A light spicy, floral, or herbal hop aroma is optional.

Question 3

8A Munich Dunkel - Appearance

Answer 3

Deep copper to dark brown, often with a red or garnet tint. Creamy, light to medium tan head. Usually clear.

Question 4

8A Munich Dunkel - Flavor

Answer 4

Rich malt flavors similar to aroma (same malt descriptors apply), medium to high. Restrained bitterness, medium-low to medium, giving an overall malty balance. Malty and soft on the palate without being overly sweet, and medium-dry in the finish with a malty aftertaste. No roast, burnt, or bitter malt flavors, toasted flavors shouldn’t have a harsh grainy dryness, and caramel flavors should not be sweet. Low spicy, herbal, or floral hop flavor optional. Clean fermentation profile.

Question 5

8A Munich Dunkel - Mouthfeel

Answer 5

Medium to medium-full body, providing a soft and dextrinous mouthfeel without being heavy or cloying. Moderate carbonation. Smooth lager character. No harsh or biting astringency. Not warming.

Question 6

8A Munich Dunkel - Comments

Answer 6

A traditional Munich style, the dark companion to Helles. Franconian versions are more bitter than ones from Munich.

Question 7

8A Munich Dunkel - History

Answer 7

Developed at Spaten in the 1830s after the development of Munich malt, and seen as a successor to dark regional beers of the time. While originating in Munich, the style became popular throughout Bavaria (especially Franconia).

Question 8

8A Munich Dunkel - Characteristic Ingredients

Answer 8

Traditionally, Munich malts, but Pils and Vienna can be used too. Light use of specialty malts for color and depth. Decoction mash traditional. German hops and lager yeast.

Question 9

8A Munich Dunkel - Style Comparison

Answer 9

Not as intense in maltiness or as strong as a Dunkles Bock. Lacking the more roasted flavors and often the hop bitterness of a Schwarzbier. Richer, more malt-centric, and less hoppy than a Czech Dark Lager.

Question 10

8A Munich Dunkel - IBU

Answer 10

18-28

Question 11

8A Munich Dunkel - SRM

Answer 11

17-28

Question 12

8A Munich Dunkel - OG

Answer 12

1.048-1.056

Question 13

8A Munich Dunkel - FG

Answer 13

1.010-1.016

Question 14

8A Munich Dunkel - ABV

Answer 14

4.5-5.6%

Question 15

8A Munich Dunkel -Commercial Examples

Answer 15

Ayinger Altbairisch Dunkel, Ettaler Kloster-Dunkel, Eittinger Urtyp Dunkel, Hacker-Pschorr Münchner Dunkel, Hofbräuhaus Dunkel, Weltenburger Kloster Barock-Dunkel