Julius Echter Hefe-Weissbier Dunkel - Würzburger Hofbräu AG

mschofield

Massachusetts

2.83/5  rDev -25.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5

Cloudy orange-brown (light leather color) with a two finger frothy head.
Roasted wheat aroma, with strong banana note.
The banana dominates the taste with roasted malt, clove and spice. Candy sugar sweet - too sweet for my taste.
Smooth and creamy, light weizen feel.
Not as good as the regular Echter hefeweiss. Too sweet.

Serving type: bottle

01-05-2004 20:26:00 | More by mschofield

mortarit

North Carolina

2.88/5  rDev -24.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Hefe Weiss

Bottled

Pass the born on date by two weeks

Smell: Banana and malty scents

The difference in this beer with others I have tried in this style that the after taste isn't as a harsh but the carbonation is much greater than most. I think it over powers it, maybe I need to let it stand for a moment to breathe.

The texture has a crisp taste and feel to it. When drinking this one, It seems that something is lacking or it could be that the balance maybe unequal.

I would have to have more comparison to recommend this one. I am not real partial to wheat beers.

Good first timer, but weaker than others I have tried.

Serving type: bottle

10-05-2008 02:36:58 | More by mortarit

midaszero

Washington

2.93/5  rDev -22.9%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

A - Cloudy light amber with one finger of off white head and a little lacing

S - Dark fruit with some malts and no real wheat I could smell

T - Crisp dark fruit with no other noticeable flavors

M - Medium body with medium carbonation

D - Not to bad but not something I will ever really want again

Serving type: bottle

11-22-2008 17:37:24 | More by midaszero

champ103

Texas

2.98/5  rDev -21.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5

A: Pours a dark brownish orange color. A two finger head forms and recedes fast. Some spotty and patchy lace is left behind.
S: At first, I thought I detected a nice roasted character in the nose. That quickly turned to a harsh burnt aroma that I do not enjoy that much. Burnt wood with some fruits and typical funky yeast that follows the style.
T: Follows the nose, a burnt wood flavor and clove. A bit of banana.
M/D: Very dry and over carbonate for my tastes. Pretty easy to drink though.

Sub-par in my opinion. The burnt wood character detracts. Something I will pass by next time I see it.

Serving type: bottle

07-08-2008 22:31:38 | More by champ103

bobhits

Kentucky

2.98/5  rDev -21.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 1.5 | overall: 4

Pours a huge white 3 finger head that a quarter could float on. Huge amount of lacing down the glass as would be expected. The body is an opaque, merky, brown hint of red dirty color that seems even for the style a touch too cloudy. I've never noticed a non black beer to be this hard to see light though.

Bubble gum, strong harsh wheat, subtle candy, cane sugar, bananas, cloves, and maybe a hint of ginger. So nothing new or surprising here as expected. This beer has a nice aroma after the pour, but it quickly looses that once the head subsides. I'm rather unimpressed given it starting with a decent bit of power.

There's a touch of toast, bubble gum, and wheat flavors. It's very lacking in flavor. The flavors from the aroma are here but some just barely and mixed in the back.

Very dry, off putting, and dull. Certainly a beer you could have a few of but at 3 bucks a bottle, why?

Serving type: bottle

03-14-2011 22:54:42 | More by bobhits

DrJay

Massachusetts

3/5  rDev -21.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Cloudy tawny colour with a fluffy beige cap. A bit sticky with good head retention. Aromas of banana, bready yeast, a bit nutty, light caramel and clove. Tastes kind of thin and without the fruitiness present in the nose. Roast malts dominate, giving it a dry cocoa and caramel flavour. Minerals, bread, yeast. Medium body with slightly high carbonation. Grainy, dry texture. It's certainly not bad, but the flavour really didn't live up to the promise of the aroma and didn't quite hit what I expect in a dunkelweizen.

Serving type: bottle

09-12-2009 21:32:33 | More by DrJay

matsputis

Massachusetts

3.03/5  rDev -20.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

A - On the amber side of brown - cloudy.

S - Cloves and some maltiness

T - The bottle says "Bavarian Ale" but there is no banana whatsoever - all clove though. It's malty. It also has an astringent quality with a slight burnt flavor. The aftertaste is similar to an American Hefe.

M - It has a full mouthfeel. This is the only redeeming quality of the beer for me.

D - A little bit filling. It actually reminds me of a roggenbier I brewed. Something happened where there wasn't much fermentable sugar so the hefe yeast didn't impart any flavor and I was stuck with a very malty, very full bodied beer. This dunkel is not what I'd expect from a Bavarian Hefe.

Serving type: bottle

07-07-2007 04:30:12 | More by matsputis

jneiswender

Massachusetts

3.05/5  rDev -19.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Bought the bottle at Blanchard's in JP.

Served the beer in a hefe glass.

Has to be one of the better looking beers I have ever poured. University of Texas, burnt orange color and beautiful head that was reminiscent of vanilla ice cream on top.

The smell was not what I expected from a Dunkelweizen. It seemed to lack any strong phenols other than clove. I sort of like to smell gueze or banana in a beer like this. Also, the beer was a bit too assertive with the hops. I would prefer to have the phenols and malts speak for this style.

As for taste and mouth feel, it too was not overly impressed with the beer as it relates to this particular style. Again, I would have to say that the hops (and hop oil) take away too much from the malt and yeast flavors. That said, the sourness of the yeast is present but it competes with an odd "gritty" taste as you drink.

Overall, I would have to say that the beer lacks anything dynamic that I would expect to see from this particular style.

Ein prosit der Gemütlichkeit!

Serving type: bottle

10-10-2007 23:52:34 | More by jneiswender

Heatwave33

Florida

3.08/5  rDev -18.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Poured from a 500 ml bottle to a Cigar City Snifter.

Color: A murky yellow-orange with a white head.

Smell: Malts, lemon, earthy hops and wheat.

Taste: Same as the aroma.

Mouthfeel: Huge carbonation, smooth and slightly dry on the palate.

Overall: A nice crisp and clean brew. Very easy to drink. Maybe just a little too mellow. Cheers.

Serving type: bottle

02-04-2012 03:55:27 | More by Heatwave33

Brabander

Netherlands

3.13/5  rDev -17.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

I bought this beer in the south of Germany when i was there a few weeks ago. Bottle best before october the 20th 2011. Because we had warm wheater in Holland yesterday it was time to drink this one.

Poured in an original hefe weizen glass the beer looks very promising. 5 fingers head with thick bubbles; easily! Nice brown fluid with no carbonation visible.

For the taste i can only say one thing; flat all the way. No beer to drink a second time.

Serving type: bottle

06-05-2011 12:40:40 | More by Brabander

olimpia84

Florida

3.13/5  rDev -17.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Had this at the DRB in Miami. Server poured the 16.9oz bottle into a Weihenstephaner Weizen glass.

A: it was a bit hard to tell since the place was very dark but this beer has some dark brown tones decorated by glowing red areas on the sides and the bottom. Beatiful three finger tanned head that refused to disappear. Some lacing present.

S: very faint smell of hops, wheat, bread pudding, dark fruits and even some beet.

T: mute taste, it was very hard to tell what I was drinking. There was some malts, dark fruits and bread pudding in the taste but combined in a very strange way that didn't impress me very much.

M: smooth, medium body with medium carbonation.

O: not very impressed with this one and probably won't be going back. Unfortunately the smell and taste were a bit boring and didn't make for an enjoyable experience.

Serving type: bottle

09-08-2011 15:34:57 | More by olimpia84

LacquerHead

Illinois

3.15/5  rDev -17.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Looked like a strong brewed black tea - very hazy. It had a light tan foamy head with decent retention. The head eventually settled to a very thin lace. (served at temp 51 into a Sam Adams pint)

At first it smelled like a normal hefeweizen. Has it warmed up a bit, I smelled caramel malt and straw.

Initially I tasted caramelized wheat and thought, "hey, this is pretty good." However, after the first few drinks the intensity of the flavor dissipated. It became more subdued and remained so even as it got warmer.

It had a light carbonation similar to an Italian soda. Refreshing.

I could see myself drinking this outside in the early evening on a lazy summer day. While I wouldn't mind having it again, I don't think I'll be revisiting it anytime soon. It was good, but didn't make me want to keep going back. I was expecting something more.

Serving type: bottle

08-10-2010 18:45:27 | More by LacquerHead

filabrazilia

Colorado

3.18/5  rDev -16.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a hazy light brown with a nice tan head.

There is a sweet malty nose that is has an element of clove and apple.

The taste is pretty bland but has a fruity and spice element in it. The beer is okay, but is a tad too subdued for my liking.

This is a smooth and easy to drink beer. There is a tartness that balances the sweetness nicely.

This beer is okay but nothing really special for the style.

Serving type: bottle

10-05-2004 01:56:58 | More by filabrazilia

BeerAndBourbon

Ohio

3.18/5  rDev -16.3%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

A. Pours a hazy brown with a one finger head that dissipates to a thin film with tons of residual lacing.

S. Light wheat and what smells to me like silly putty.

T. Somewhat sweet and malty - there's not a whole lot going on with this. I expect (and desire) more banana aroma and flavor than I get from this beer.

M. Medium body with high carbonation.

D. Eh. I picked up a few imports today on the recommendation from a friend who lived in Germany and grew to love German beers. I was much more impressed with the Kolsch than this.

Serving type: bottle

10-15-2010 05:00:12 | More by BeerAndBourbon

snilsen13

Georgia

3.2/5  rDev -15.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5

You know this is so much better in the summer when you're thirsting for a tall one than the winter. So here's my impressions of this beer when it's winter and you've got it from a bottle. It looks good, murky yellow with a fluffy white head that falls evenly. Nice tastey froth with, and like other wheat beers, a citrus smell. When it goes down it goes sour. A tart aftertaste that lingers to the point that I didn't desire to even finish my liter.

EDIT: maybe my mood or palate was colored, so I'm drinking this again today and I think it's of at least average quality. Perhaps I had a bad bottle before. This second tasting does confim that this is light going down but heaavy in my gut. It's a beer that drinks like a meal. You should have some food in the gut to absorb this

This is still better off tap (which is what led me to buy some bottles) and even better on a hot day.

Serving type: bottle

01-06-2006 21:33:44 | More by snilsen13

ar70584

Maine

3.2/5  rDev -15.8%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

500mL bottle
app: very dark reddish brown, nearly opaque. Fluffy white head reduced to a thin fill after about 2 minutes. Decent lacing.

smell: not a lot going on. sweet earthy aroma, honey-like

taste: caramel malt flavors. slight sweetness at first fading on the finish. lacks typical hefe-weiss flavors, but finishes very clean. no off-flavors

mouthfeel: good rich mouthfeel, finishes dry with a clean aftertaste.

A very drinkable beer, but nothing extraordinary.

Serving type: bottle

02-10-2011 00:35:15 | More by ar70584

Crosling

Colorado

3.23/5  rDev -15%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Cloudy orange in color with a full, dense foam that morphs into plateaus. Very nice aromatics, with clove, banana and spice notes. Flavor doesn't have the fullness of flavor that would make it outstanding, but it has nice flavors of vanilla and ripe fruit. Could have more depth and more weizen characteristics. It's just okay.

Serving type: bottle

06-23-2008 14:36:59 | More by Crosling

ZenAgnostic

Texas

3.23/5  rDev -15%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Appearance - Dark ruby body. Slightly offwhite half finger head with decent retention.

Smell - Banana.

Taste - Overripe banana.

Mouthfeel - Slight bite. Mouthfeel is good while the head lasts.

Overall - Not impressed. Don't hate it, but won't spend another penny on another bottle. Would drink for free.

Serving type: bottle

04-06-2011 01:56:50 | More by ZenAgnostic

Berrmecca13

Florida

3.23/5  rDev -15%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a 1 Pt 9 oz btl into a nucleated tulip/snifter.
Excellent head retention with adequate lacing hugging the walls. The head is white and creamy.
The smell is light with some sweet malty notes.
Upon tasting it is surprisingly crisp and effervescent. Some nice malt notes and a subtle caramel flavor.
Overall nice but probably not a repeat buy.

Serving type: bottle

09-24-2011 03:29:29 | More by Berrmecca13

TheStig

Virginia

3.23/5  rDev -15%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Pours with the appearance of some of the more expensive brands of organic apple juice-- cloudy, vacillating between yellow and amber.

Aggressively produces a three-finger head, with no lacing.

This is not a particularly pungent beer-- which, by me, is fine for this style. A pleasant blend of lemon, malt and yeast.

Taste is suitably light and crisp with a subtle fruity finish. Plum perhaps?

The carbonation is almost on par with most popular soft drinks, but even with that in mind, it's a pleasant, easily-quaffed brew.

Serving type: bottle

02-11-2012 18:21:34 | More by TheStig

yourunclewalt

New York

3.25/5  rDev -14.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

A - Plum hues in the light, hazy, three-finger tan head

S - To type. Bananabread, sweet malty backbone, harsh bitter hops

T - Very bitter; standard cloves & bananabread from a Dunkel.

M - Creamy, carbonated kicker / mid-palate

D - A little too bitter for me, could be more smooth overall, but it is a German afterall. Pretty solidly to type.

Serving type: bottle

07-22-2007 03:51:18 | More by yourunclewalt

changeup45

Florida

3.25/5  rDev -14.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

A cloudy looking beer that pours a huge head! Only head I've seen bigger is that of a Boddington's. This has a strong citrus, almost melon taste to it. Definitely something different from what I'm used to. They served it with a lemon but there's no need for that. I discarded that quickly. It was very expensive so I might not get it again but overall I thought it was pretty good and definitely refreshing.

Serving type: on-tap

08-23-2008 20:10:00 | More by changeup45

exitmusic

New York

3.25/5  rDev -14.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 4

This beer had a very thick, tall, off-white head with a few fisheyes. Lots of legs, too.

The aroma was moderate, and included molasses and apple pie (not too sweet though).

Mild banana flavor, light spices, with a quick sour aftertaste.

Watery mouthfeel, but not too watery, still very enjoyable.

All in all a great session beer.

Serving type: bottle

12-11-2008 22:41:15 | More by exitmusic

whtguitarguy

Virginia

3.25/5  rDev -14.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

From a 500ml bottle. This beer pours to a nice dark amber color with a little head. The aroma is very light, almost not there. The mouthfeel is decent, medium thickness. There is only a light wheat flavor which I was expecting it to be a bit more robust. Not very exciting.

Serving type: bottle

03-17-2010 17:03:30 | More by whtguitarguy

falloutsnow

Illinois

3.25/5  rDev -14.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

From: Binny's, Des Plaines, IL
Date: Best before 12/2012
Glass: Weihenstephan weizen glass

Echter's dunkelweizen is a fairly good version of the style. I would like to try some fresh, on-tap, to see if the off aroma is something that occurred during/after bottling, or if it was intended.

Pours a tall head made up of small bubles, thick and creamy on top. Head fades to a ring around the glass with some residual islands of thin foam, leaving minimal lace. Body is cloudy brown when out of light, pale brown with yellow highlights in it. Body is totally opaque, with no visible carbonation.

Aroma is of dark malt sweetness with strong yeast and mushroom compost components. Interesting, but not particularly appealing.

Taste opens with darker barley malt sweetness, strong clove phenols then, very heavy wheat breadiness with medium-level banana esters. Closes with wheat bread, residual banana esters and spicy phenols. Aftertaste of malt sweetness, bread, slight tartness.

Beer is medium bodied with mid-level carbonation; foams up slightly, giving a pillow-smooth mouthfeel. Semi-dry finish.

Serving type: bottle

10-19-2012 04:47:34 | More by falloutsnow