Ettaler Kloster Dunkel - Klosterbrauerei Ettal / Ettaler Klosterbetriebe GmbH

CH3CH2OH

New Jersey

2.08/5  rDev -46.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 4 | overall: 1.5

Appearance and mouthfeel were typical for the style. The aroma and flavor were awful. As I poured, I thought something must have gone bad in my kitchen, but a stale malt flavor was rising from the glass. The flavor reminded me most of rancid raisins. The date on the bottle was 10 10 05 (not sure if that is a drink by, or a made on date.) I will try re-reviewing this in the future, as I may have had a bad bottle, but I doubt it. One of only two or three beers I have ever dumped.

Serving type: bottle

07-28-2006 01:26:03 | More by CH3CH2OH

RedHaze

Nebraska

4.13/5  rDev +6.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pours a dark opaque brown, with very little light shining through. There's a two inger off-white head that settle very slowly to a solid cap, that leaves behind a nice shetting of lace.

Smell; lots of raosted malts, with toffee and caramel. There was a little bit of chocolate and some hints of rasins, and nuts.

Taste; very malty, with caramel, chocolate and bread dough. The raisins and nutty flavors came through, but were not very strong. There was almost no bitterness to speak of, and the finish was on the sweet side. While this wasn't the most complex beer out there, it was a very enjoyable drink. Mouthfeel was medium bodied, and very drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

07-08-2006 03:16:45 | More by RedHaze

MuenchenerKindl

Germany

4.72/5  rDev +22%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Poured from a .5 L bottle to a tall steamed glass. A velvety smooth thick white head rises then fades slowly from a deep dark auburn liquid. Shining through the glass is an array of sunset colors capped by a delicate lace.

The aroma is of soft flowery candies over a toasty malt.

The taste is just awesome. The predominate trate is a mild sweet chocolate, finishing with carmeled toffee, and a flowery note that is in perfect harmony with a choir of complex tastes emitted from the expertly roasted malts. The hops well balance this beer with mild yet assertive bitterness.

The mouthfeel is very good indeed. The carbonation is perfectly balanced with the malt and hops producing a crispness that is unsurpassed in this style.

The drinkability offering is superior, It is crisp and clean with out the slightest of objections the alcohol is all but undetectable, making this the best example of this style i have ever tasted.

Zum wohl!

And 'Ich danke Ihnen vielmals' to the monks that brew this fine prize and who are the answer to the songs question 'Wem Gott will rechte Gunst erweisen'


Wem Gott will rechte Gunst erweisen,
Den schickt er in die weite Welt;
Dem will er seine Wunder weisen
In Berg und Wald und Strom und Feld.

Serving type: bottle

06-16-2006 07:45:33 | More by MuenchenerKindl

GCBrewingCo

North Carolina

3.78/5  rDev -2.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

The beer poured into the glass crystal clear brown with an amber hue. The head was white an rose slightly falling slowly to try and lace the glass.

The aroma was malty with a strong caramel malt presence and a bit of chocolate. The aroma contained some dark fruits, raisins, but not at a high level. The aroma was also bready and nutty.

The flavor was matly with a spicy and lightly metallic bittering component. Caramel malt and chocolate led the charge with a decent level of bitterness keeping things in check. The flavor was nutty with a light biscuit flavor.

The finish was dry with lasting light chocolate, nuttiness, and very light hop character into the aftertaste. The body was medium with a moderate carbonation. A nice Dunkel, but missing complexity.

16.9 ounce bottle.

Serving type: bottle

06-04-2006 00:05:36 | More by GCBrewingCo

JohnW

United Kingdom (England)

3.73/5  rDev -3.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours reasonably dark into a glass, though was surprised the head disappeared almost immediately. Aroma as expected, malty, hint of burnt caramel and chocolate, though fairly light. Texture was much lighter than I expected, and taste is similar, tasty, but not at all heavy, slightly sweet, but more hints of bitter chocoate and burnt caramel in the finish. Have to confess to be just a little disappointed, I was expecting something with more body in the taste, but did enjoy this and certainly would have it again.


JohnW
(B'ham UK) tried while in Tampa FL May 2006

Serving type: bottle

05-22-2006 18:26:47 | More by JohnW

oberon

North Carolina

3.78/5  rDev -2.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Its been awhile since I had a good German dunkel so I picked this up yesterday,poured a nice clear medium brown/bronze with smallish light brown head that was gone pretty fast.Light aromas but pleasant milk chocolate,cookie dough,and some raw earthy nut mainly,soft malty flavors to this beer from the get go a lightly sweet cookie dough base over top of milk chocolate with a very noticable and nicely suprising herbal anicy note in the finish.A very easy drinking "soft" beer with real character,recommended if you like traditional dunkel lagers.

Serving type: bottle

05-15-2006 12:01:13 | More by oberon

shbobdb

Indiana

4.3/5  rDev +11.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Ahhhh, now this is beer!!!!

It pours a rich garnet with a thin, tight head that just won't leave.

The smell is very nice, a light wiff of grains and a touch of toffee.

The taste is near perfect! The rich grains, with rich dark candies, perhaps even some dates. Some powdered chocolate as well. I love it. I love it.

The mouthfeel is wonderful! The carbonation perfectly compliments the very thick, rich, malty nature of this beer. Thick, rich sugars and subtle carbonation is amazing.

Man, this is one good drinker. Not perfect, the mouthfeel, while wonderful, is a touch thick for a true session.

Serving type: bottle

05-15-2006 00:50:43 | More by shbobdb

northyorksammy

Ontario (Canada)

3.48/5  rDev -10.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Slate black and nice initial head with bubbles. Sweet malt, including chocolate malts, and molasses with appropriate carbonation and creamy, then just plain and bitter finish. On-tap taste. Fresh and a new brewer found at Knightly Spirits in Orlando.

Serving type: bottle

05-02-2006 02:31:27 | More by northyorksammy

akorsak

Pennsylvania

3.43/5  rDev -11.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

This is a 500 mL bottle, served in a Lancaster Milk Stout tumbler. The lager is served at just below room temperature, having warmed in the glass.

Appearance: The lager is a deep red-brown color. Orange hints come out when light shines through it. There is a slight head, but not much.

Smell: The lager has a very strong malt aroma, biscuity but not so strong that it resembles a bock or a barleywine. There are also some clear roasted barley notes that come out.

Taste: Sweet, cookie like malts really grab the tongue. As they start to fade away, the deeper tones of the roast kick in, giving this beer a nice transition from sweet to heavy malts. There is little hop presence, but enough to keep this from going malt crazy.

Mouthfeel: The lager sits well in the mouth, although the sweetness of the barley can be a bit too much.

Drinkability: Not a bad beer, but not soon to be my go-to either.

Serving type: bottle

04-30-2006 01:26:36 | More by akorsak

feloniousmonk

Minnesota

4.05/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Clear, caramel-y appearance, lush head above, dotted with brownish flecks, lace-leaving, but reigns in with a quickness...

Wide open aroma, ripe with nuts, cocoa, cream, and mild vanilla...nice.

Taste: Boards the palate boldly, but doesn't intimidate, leaves lightly...jettisoning a slightly roasty, nutty flavor...fullish, but dry, in the end. Full bodied, long, nutty finish, but, overall, dry. Cleans right out.

Rich and tasty, this, smooth yet fully flavored. Not bad at all. Can be consumed with ease, while delivering a certain dollop of deliciousness. And that's a good thing.

Since 1330, eh? Wow! I will try the rest of this brewery's offerings, and hope that they all measure up as well.

Serving type: bottle

04-19-2006 05:23:45 | More by feloniousmonk

geexploitation

Indiana

4.58/5  rDev +18.3%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Mmmm, dunkel. Pours a caramelly dark brown with a luscious tan head that sticks around throughout drinking. Smell is all dark malts, with molasses and caramel present, but highly attenuated by a dry, roasty malt note. The taste of this beer is quite pleasant and malty, with caramel and dried date leading the way in the flavor department. This beer is very, very smooth and easy drinking. I can't think of a better example of the dunkel style that I've tried. Highly recommended.

Serving type: bottle

04-12-2006 01:46:03 | More by geexploitation

biergeniesser

Minnesota

4/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This .5l bottle of Ettaler Kloster Dunkel had a born on (I hope) date of 10.10.05 on it and poured a crystal clear deep reddish brown. It had a thin white head, which dissipated slowly and left no lacing. Tiny bubbles evolved continuously from the bottom of the glass.

The aroma was a fine blend of sweet toasty malt and alcohol with a hint of molasses… I was surprised to find that the aroma was quite bock-like.

The Flavor was dominated by clean sweet toasty malt in the beginning. Kloster Dunkel had a relatively low and nicely balanced hop bitterness with a slight degree of hop spice evident in the background flavor which was quite pleasant. Alcohol flavors were also noticeable and reminiscent, once again, of bock bier. A late earthy toastiness , which I can only describe as Munich malt flavor lingers pleasantly.

Kloster Dunkel has a medium body… it is sweet but not syrupy, that is to say it has a lighter mouth coat. It also has a light, but noticeable carbon dioxide bite.

Ettaler Kloster Dunkel is a great beer… if you can find it. I was pleasantly surprised to find it at one of the better liquor stores in my area, as I had never expected to see it again after my visit to Kloster Ettal a year and a half ago. If you like malty, sweet, clean lagers you’ll definitely like Ettaler Kloster Dunkel.

Serving type: bottle

03-27-2006 16:52:32 | More by biergeniesser

Beertracker

Oklahoma

4.35/5  rDev +12.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Ettaler Kloster Dunkel (Munich Dunkel) is best served at traditional cellar temperatures (45-50F). This one pours up nice & easy into a traditional becher glass with a thick creamy head that generously tops the deep mahogany-brown body. The sweet, bready aroma is envitingly rich with lots of melanoidins & toasted grains. Hints of fruitiness (e.g. black licorice, cherry cola & chocolate covered nuts) and some light alcohol interplay nicely at the rim of the glass. The flavor starts off somewhat sweet, toffeeish & bready with a lightly cloying malty sweetness which gives way to some underlying bitterness from the Noble hops. The rich, satisfying body is medium-medium full with just the perfect amount of carbonation. Extremely quaffable!

This is a wonderful classic Munich Dunkel from one of Germany's remaining monastic breweries. Try pairing Kloster Dunkel with some traditional spit-roasted Schweinshaxn (pork knuckles) seasoned with caraway seed & white pepper, served with a plate of red cabbage sauerkraut, mushroom-gravy covered spätzle and thinly sliced sweet onions & radi (white radish). How about some cinnamon glazed apple dumplings for dessert? "Dem Himmel so Nah!" (So close to heaven!)

PROST! Beertracker

Serving type: bottle

03-21-2006 07:05:47 | More by Beertracker

yelterdow

New Jersey

4.2/5  rDev +8.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Served in a weiss glass at just under cellar temperature... date on reverse reads 10 10 05.

Appearance- Pours the color of light cola, very clear. Head stands a full three fingers high, with a rocky, soapy presence. The foam is packed nicely, and gobs of chunky lacing are left behind. Plenty of gentle carbonation is happening in the glass.

Smell- Solid Munich malt aromas with just a tinge of metal, damn this reminds me of the smells wafting through my nose at Traubenfest every year in Tappan, NY. I want bratwurst now. Faint notes of chocolate and peanut butter come through as the beer breathes, gradually intensifying to a dessert-like weight. The metal I noticed before is now completely gone.

Taste- Malts which take on a dry, mildly roasted character carry through from start to finish... not too complex, and the swallow is especially drying. A crisp hop bitterness (Hallertau?) wipes away the malt driven beer right at the end, and leaves the mouth clean and refreshed.

Mouthfeel/Drinkability- Very, very easy and smooth... just the right amount of carbonation, yet it remains particularly light in the mouth. For the style, which I am certainly no expert, it seems appropriate. Drinkability is effortless and enjoyable, and I want another one of these to join me at this year's local Traubenfest... October can't arrive soon enough!

Serving type: bottle

03-16-2006 16:42:41 | More by yelterdow

Jredner

Florida

4/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Big whiff of honeycakes and brown sugar in the aroma. Quite appealing smell. Dark brown to copper with a pinky thin white head. Fore is honey, malt sweet. Very substantial tasting like the aforementioned honeycake though the mouthfeel isn’t thick or at least no thicker than it should be. Some caramel malt notes in there as well. The range is narrow, but the beer is very tasty.

Serving type: bottle

03-05-2006 16:15:21 | More by Jredner

ColoradoBobs

Colorado

3.98/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

500 ml bottle from Wilbur's in Fort Collins, CO

An aggressive pour in my 23 ounce pilsner glass resulted in a HUGE off-white head, which faded into a soft ring that left nice lacing. Malt and pine hops on the nose, with rye bread. Smells kind of like a bock. Taste is clean hopped malt, with notes of chocolate and coffee. Dry finish, with light hop bitterness. Really pretty nice. Mouthfeel is good and round, pretty outstanding for a lager. Very easy to drink, with not too much carbonation and only 5.0%. This would make a nice session beer!

Serving type: bottle

02-28-2006 01:11:03 | More by ColoradoBobs

EPseja

New Jersey

3.98/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Served from a 25oz. brown bottle in a pilsener glass at just below cellar temperature.

A - Pours a clear medium amber brown with decent action in the class. Head rises to a full finger in height; creamy and solid. Dimishes after a minute or so to a thin film atop the beer. Lacing is sparse but evident.

S - Sweet, caramel toastiness. Medium bodied, clean smelling molasses and raisins. Very nice maltiness, much like a Malta Goya.

T - Sweet toasted malts are the first thing to come off. Very nice... much sweeter than I would have originally anticipated. In the middle a dark fruitiness steps in - raisins and prunes... figs. Big flavor! The end is only mildly hopped and/or bitter, and the aftertaste leaves only a tinge of the lingering sweetness.

M - Watery going in, smooth and creamy as it opens up. The finish is somewhat sudsy, but not too gassy.

D - An all around very nice performer in all categories. This is an excellent beer for the style, although admittedly, I need to seek out and try more for comparison. I hope they are all this solid.

Serving type: bottle

02-11-2006 23:40:23 | More by EPseja

Manosbeeroffate

Maine

4.35/5  rDev +12.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Saw this while beer shopping, never seen it before so I'm giving it a shot. Pours dark brown, smells sweet. Tastes like burnt malt and caramel. If theres any hops they are hidden but who cares. Nice mouthfeel and finish. I'm looking for more of this. Easy drinking and yummy!!

Serving type: bottle

02-03-2006 03:29:59 | More by Manosbeeroffate

BeerBuilder

Minnesota

4.43/5  rDev +14.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pours to a ruby-brown color with an off white head. Leaves good lacing. The aroma is of toasted malts, a bit of caramel and spicy nobel hops.

The flavor is malty, toasty and caramelly. Nice light hop flavor. Clean and smooth. Light in body and easy drinking.

A nice drinking brew...friggin yummy for my tum, tum, tummy.

Not much to say, but I likes it.

Serving type: bottle

01-01-2006 19:59:34 | More by BeerBuilder

jdhilt

New Hampshire

3.63/5  rDev -6.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours with a three-finger white head that leaves some lace. Deep clear amber color. Medium bodied and light carbonation. Slightly malty nose. Starts sweet, nice malt/hop balance finishes mellow and not dry. $2.79 for a 500ml bottle from Tulley's Beer & Wine Wells, Me.

Serving type: bottle

12-29-2005 00:25:37 | More by jdhilt

alexwag

New York

3.68/5  rDev -4.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Trying to explore more German beers, so I picked one that others had obviously purchased. Fact that it was only $2.75 didn't hurt either. Got at New Beer Distributors in Manhattan.

A- Dark red, clean and fortified-looking -- very inviting. One finger of attractive white foam peaced out quickly.

S- Not very powerful: malts with a bit of spice. A tad yeasty, a little bite, some sweetness, molasses maybe.

T- Taste also lacks intensity. Pretty light -- some Munich malts with their distinct muskiness and richness, which is good stuff. More stuff emerging now ... a little nuttiness, a hint of sweetness. Finishes cleanly, not much aftertaste.

M- Got some fizziness, but it's crisp and refreshing ... obviously made with real ingredients, vs. the "crisp and refreshing" of Bud. I viscerally think of drinking this on a summer afternoon. It's got some body too, a little thickness with is nice.

D- A more than decent offering. As I mentioned, would be good in summer. Could use some more punch I think. I might buy it again, but there are so many other Germans to try.

[As I edit this -- the more I drink it, the more I like it. Still not above good, but enough to bump the score. Solid option.]

Serving type: bottle

12-08-2005 00:50:42 | More by alexwag

Ego

New Jersey

4/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

picked this up on a whim @ the local shop (buy rite, edison nj), had no idea there were so few reviews...

eyes..
deep amber/brown solid hue, one finger head strong and holding making a nice miniscus (been looking to use that word since 9th grade physics class...) which clings to the glass, this beer looks like a photo even on a very non carefull pour (hey, I can be a klutz). solid in all aspects.

nose...
caramel, a small hint of roast, mild chocolates, dough, fresh morning mountain yeast (if there is such a thing), shot and concise but powerfull. really good.

taste etc...
reminds me oddly of a mild ESB except great carbonation action (prickly) and the aftertaste is sweet roasted malts, smooth and creamy without being heavy in the least, it reminds me of so many styles it's crazy, very drinkable to say the least. the carbonation really is perfect on this one.. we're talking milk mustache variety that works.

Verdict?
solid in all categories. It doesnt blow me away in any one but it really is just plain all around very good. I will definitely be getting this again now that I know it is right down the street @ the store!

Serving type: bottle

11-27-2005 05:24:55 | More by Ego

lackenhauser

Maryland

4/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Gorgeous chestnut brown color with a great tan head. Nice mellow,somewhat bready, soft malty aroma. Very nice, sweet malt flavor-almost caramel and chocolate like. No real hop presence. Finishes sweet. Very good body for style. Extremely drinkable beer. Has to be the best dunkel I have had. I have heard almost fantasy-like stories of having Ettaler beers in Germany-sampling this makes them very believable!

Serving type: bottle

11-26-2005 01:24:00 | More by lackenhauser

tavernjef

Minnesota

4.13/5  rDev +6.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Solid auburn with a dark umber glow. Medium and compact light tan foam. Lace sticks in skimpy strings but keeps a solid skim and collar the entire session.

Aroma is pretty solid with light roasty malting and nutty breads. A bit toasty and drizzled with caramel; always dry yet sweetly sided with the bread tone.

Taste is about the same as what the smell eludes to which stands among a good caramel, nutty bread tone with dustings of cocoa, wood, and drying nuttyness and pretzeled breadings.

Fluffy and firm carbonation thats clean and gripping to the point of good natured drinking. Medium body with a solid finish of nuts, toasty breadyness, and a light mineral spicey woodish hop thing.

A very solid beer. Munich malts make the bread tones evident and the extra darker toasty nuttyness gives it an almost porter-esk character. Quite a nice treat. Spendy though.

Serving type: bottle

10-14-2005 01:30:47 | More by tavernjef

BuckeyeNation

Iowa

3.85/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Bronze-like brown that becomes fiery red-orange when backlit with morning sun. The large cap of beige foam looks good immediately after the pour and as it deflates. It lasts longer than expected and deposits a surprising amount of bubble bath-like lace. A clean, refined look.

The nose is clean as well. In fact, it's too clean and could use a bit more personality. Dark caramel-toffee is central, with a wee whiff of earthy hops on the periphery.

Kloster Dunkel is a good, light, dark beer. It isn't explosive on the palate, but makes one work a little bit to appreciate its nuances. The malt load is acceptable for the style and contributes flavors such as cocoa powder, dark caramel and toasted walnuts. A mineral-like hard water character is noted as well.

The beer becomes more approachable with time and warming. I would suggest drinking it barely cool, drinking it prior to any bigger styles and avoiding food in order to appreciate it fully. The mouthfeel is light and airy, which is probably exactly where it should be for the style.

Ettaler Kolster Dunkel is good beer if given a chance. It's the antithesis of big beer, but calling it little beer is an undeserved slight. There can't be too many versions out there that are superior to this one.

Serving type: bottle

09-06-2005 15:41:07 | More by BuckeyeNation