Dark European Lager - Munich Dunkel

Dark European Lager
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Dark European Lager - Munich Dunkel

Name

Munich Dunkel

Category

Dark European Lager

This category contains German vollbier lagers darker than amber-brown color.

Guidelines

Impression

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.

Aroma

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.

Appearance

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

Flavor

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.

Mouth Feel

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.

Comments

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

History

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).

Ingredients

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.

Comparison

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.

Statistics

Type Min Max
OG 1.048 1.056
FG 1.010 1.016
IBU 18 28
SRM 17 28
ABV 4.5 5.6

Commercial Examples

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

Tags

  • standard-strength
  • dark-color
  • bottom-fermented
  • lagered
  • central-europe
  • traditional-style
  • malty
  • dark-lager-family