Weihenstephaner Hefeweissbier Dunkel - Bayerische Staatsbrauerei Weihenstephan

PoisonedMushroom

Ontario (Canada)

4.85/5  rDev +13.8%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

My first beer review.

Before anything else, I opened the bottle and smelled the vapours escaping. Just in time, I managed to catch the wonderful bready, yeasty smell that filled the immediate surroundings.

A: As I poured this into a pint glass, I noted the beer's murky brown colour. I also observed the wonderful two and a half fingers of creamy foam that appeared uninterested in dispersing for quite some time.

S: I became immediately aware of the banana smell that filled the air. Every smell produced an aromatic burst of bananas. The yeast still made its presence known, although to a lesser extent. Mixed in were other fruity flavours and just a hint of clove. As the beer warmed, the clove became more apparent. I smelled this one over and over in the process of exhausting it.

T: Did the brewers brew this with bananas? It certainly tasted of them, along with some yeast in the finish. Cloves and other, more vague, fruitiness also attacked my taste buds. There was no mistaking it -- this was delicious and truly true to the style.

M: This appeared to me a very smooth beer. The carbonation did not make itself overly noticeable.

D: I thought this brew to be immensely drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

10-31-2009 06:04:00 | More by PoisonedMushroom

beers2danno

Florida

4.85/5  rDev +13.8%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

The first time I had this beer(years ago) was on a trip around Germany, but at the time I did not know enough to appreciate as much as I do now.
Now I get it whenever I see it for sale.
A....this is what originally made me try it, cloudy reddish brown ith a beautiful fluffy offwhite head
S....very attractive smell of bananas, bread, yeast
T...banana, malty, citrus, yeast...
M...medium heaviness, satisfying like its more than a beer, perhaps a meal full of nutrients.
D...I can drink this any time, any place and it brings me right back to the place that I first had it in a pizza house in Germany, excellent drinkability.

Serving type: bottle

07-27-2010 01:36:45 | More by beers2danno

Pdu8s

Michigan

3.23/5  rDev -24.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A- looks like a beer should. Has a thick, white foamy head with a good body. Dark golden color to the beer itself

S- Smell is top-notch, very refreshing. Smells almost like a "spring-rain"

T- Malty, although dissaointing. Has the banana taste, but not as strong as in, say, the Schneider Aventinus. Alcohol taste definitely there. Not as smooth as the Schneider either

M- as stated above, not as smooth. Although, it does swirl well in the mouth

O- for some reason, I just feel like this is a lesser version of the Schneider Aventinus. Although it has great qualities, the taste is lacking. It is however, a good beer

Serving type: bottle

02-01-2012 06:37:01 | More by Pdu8s

gracebeliever

Florida

2.6/5  rDev -39%
look: 4 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Reviewed from notes. Still Drinking though as I write.

Appearance: Tea. Thick foamy head after a moderate pour into a glass mug. It quickly reduced to a thin head. Minimal lacing.

Smell: Not much.. maybe that's due to the mug. I don't know.

Taste: To me it was lacking flavor and body. Not what I expected.

Mouthfeel: Again, to me, nothing much here.

Drinkability: Certainly it is easy to drink but the lack of taste is off-setting for me.

I am open to suggestions on this.

Serving type: bottle

08-01-2010 17:49:38 | More by gracebeliever

bigalk

Australia

4.2/5  rDev -1.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

from a bottle at our Octoberfest, hadn't had one since same time last year. Obvious phenolics in the aroma with that hint of caramel and chocolate. Slight wheat tartness and then rounded off with the coloure malt flavours. A bloody nice change from the lighter weizenbier

Serving type: bottle

11-03-2007 10:49:16 | More by bigalk

0beerguy0

California

4.38/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Appearance: Dark golden brown, slight reddish hues, cloudy as all good wheat beer are. Good head about three fingers worth when first poured. A small head stays throughout drinking.

Aroma: Beautiful malty smell, a sweet apple/bread aroma that finishes off with a spicy-ness.

Taste: Medium body, very flavorful. You first pick up a clove and nice twang taste from this beer. There is a bit of bitterness to it but it is balanced out with the flavor of banana and caramel.

Mouth feel: Very smooth and creamy, perfect amount of carbonation. Very crisp and clean tasting.

Drinkability: Great beer, I defiantly find myself drinking this again.

If you like Dark hefeweissbeirs this is an excellent choice. I will never turn one of these down

Serving type: bottle

05-29-2010 03:37:07 | More by 0beerguy0

dwren89

Virginia

4.54/5  rDev +6.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

Appearance: brownish-gold, very hazy almost murky, good head retention

Aroma: banana, clove, can definitely detect a darker malt aroma than a normal hefeweizen, but it is very subtle

Taste: yeasty with balanced banana and clove hefeweizen taste with some hints of dark bready/caramel/toasty notes

Mouthfeel: effervescent, slight grainy mouthfeel with smooth edges, short finish, easily quaffable, medium-light body

Overall Impression: Great example of a traditional German Dunkelweizen, balancing fruit esters with some dark, toasty flavors. Easily quaffable, and refreshingly different character from most hefeweizens.

Serving type: bottle

03-22-2013 19:48:03 | More by dwren89

maddmatt48

Georgia

3.88/5  rDev -8.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A - Light brown-copper color and hazy, with cream one finger head.

S - Yeast comes through up front, very earthy. A little bit of maltiness smell and hay as well.

T - A little creamy, malt flavors, wheat bread, taste the yeast. Small spice notes, but unable to determine what spices.

M - Minimal carbonation up front, surprising but slightly lighter in body than the hefeweissen. Good mouthfeel.

D - Very good drinkability. Session type beer. First of this style I've had. I prefer the regular hefe, but this is a very good beer and would love to drink again.

Serving type: bottle

03-18-2009 19:59:34 | More by maddmatt48

momoagogo14

Iowa

4.83/5  rDev +13.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured from bottle into hefeweizen glass

Aroma: malty, bready smell with banana and clove notes
Appearance: foggy, mahogany colored, tan head
Taste: Very much like a hefeweizen style with toasty malt flavor, lots of yeast. Clove and banana come through, just like in the nose.
Mouthfeel: Medium bodied, light carbonation---dry finish
Overall: This is my standard for dunkelweiss styles. It’s the first one I ever tried, I’ve had many since, and nothing tops the Weihenstephaner version. I guess it shouldn’t be a surprise that the oldest brewery in the world still makes some of the best beer in the world.

Serving type: bottle

07-09-2012 01:55:03 | More by momoagogo14

lefty

Illinois

5/5  rDev +17.4%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Pouring from a 16.9 oz bottle into a glass.

I decided to buy this beer based on the ratings from my fellow reviewers and I couldn't be more happy that I did. Right from the initial pour, this beer was absolutely perfect.

The pour was smooth and had a nice three finger head, the color was a nice amber brown/yellow. The aroma was an excellent banana-wheat smell with a perfect balance.

The taste fully lived up to my expectations based on previous reviews. A great wheat taste with a smooth fruit/banana/clove mix. In the mouth it was very smooth. It was so smooth it almost tasted like a "flat" soda on the palate, which shows how smooth it was (and yes, I am 100% confident this was a fresh beer).

Overall, I rate this right up there with the Hofbrau Dunkel Weisse as one of the best beers I have ever had.

Serving type: bottle

12-30-2012 23:55:55 | More by lefty

Cruzin023

Virginia

4.5/5  rDev +5.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Poured a light brown-orange with good foam head. Smelled of cloves. Taste was sweet and malty with banana cloves and other spices with a reasonable amount of carbonation. A very drinkable session beer. One of those beers that show why Weihenstephaner is very popular and highly regarded.

Serving type: bottle

11-27-2008 04:22:18 | More by Cruzin023

HeadFullaHops

Michigan

4.93/5  rDev +15.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

I most recently had this brew at a biergarden while out on the town but, I can (and do) get the same bottle every day at the party store at the entrance to my neighborhood.

A - Poured a hazy medium brown with a 1 1/4" head that dissipated pretty quick to light sticky lacing that marked each drink I took down the side of the big weizen glass it was served in. Beautiful!

S - Banana bread. Plain and simple. No hop or malt aromas. Typical of the style. Makes you want to tip the glass RIGHT NOW!!!

T - The banana bread smell is manifest in full on the palette with no noticeable hop flavors and has a clean finish. Dangerous!

M - The mouthfeel on this one is medium for an unfiltered wheat beer.

D - WOW! This one could be dangerous on a summer day, make that any day, when you've got a good thirst built up! If you like weizen beers, this is a MUST TRY!

Serving type: bottle

01-26-2009 04:13:05 | More by HeadFullaHops

mikeaji

Virginia

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

Bought a bottle at Total Wine

A) Beer pours a cloudy darkish orange brown. The head on the beer is mildly thick, but pours real nice.

S) Smells extremely nice, you can smell the banana and spice/clove in this beer outright.

T) Another grand slam from the boys at Bayerische Staatsbrauerie. The beer is incredibly smooth and enjoyable. The beer is highly carbonated, but it does not take away from the taste. The lingering taste is one of a sweetness and fruit. A+.

M) Decent carbonation, smooth taste, you can taste the alcohol, but its nothing overwhelming.

D)Weihenstephaner Hefeweissbier is one of my favorite beers and the dunkel is expceptional. Everytime I make a trip to the distributor, I always pick up atleast 4-5 bottles of the Dunkel and Korbinian.

Serving type: bottle

01-16-2011 21:59:06 | More by mikeaji

Eigenslam

Florida

4.58/5  rDev +7.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A - Misty brown body with a significant white cream head that retains quite well.

S - Prominent malty smell, a hint of what seems to be apples and bananas.

T - A nice smooth blend of malty flavors when it first hits your tongue, with a nice light hoppy finish. Nothing too significant, but just enough to remind you that its there.

M - Sits well, no taste is too overpowering. Feels creamy, medium weight, carbonation is very light.

O - A very good beer, especially given the price-to-quality ratio. Definitely something I'd like to have in reserve to share with friends.

Serving type: bottle

06-02-2011 00:44:55 | More by Eigenslam

xvertirx

California

4.7/5  rDev +10.3%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

A- beautifull brownish color with a thick creamy head

S- Malty smell but nothing really stands out.

T- wow tastes great. It is a balanced malty flavor. Nothing stands out but it just tastes great. no overpowering alcohol. delicious.

M- good smooth carbonation. creamy texture. I like it!

O- Great beer. Bravo! very enjoyable.

Serving type: bottle

06-03-2011 13:49:35 | More by xvertirx

Nordura

Wisconsin

4.36/5  rDev +2.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75

No question this is a fine, fine beer. Nice and toasty, with some apple and banana, but more apple. Some nice spice accents.

Really exceptional mouthfeel, nice carbonation, so drinkable.

If you love malty beers, you'll love this. In my top 5 for the style.

Serving type: bottle

03-30-2013 22:30:57 | More by Nordura

plexiprs

Nevada

4.05/5  rDev -4.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A – Bottle, 500 milliliter or the American version as 16.9 ounces. Bottle was clean tight cap and beer was that dark brown; roasty looking but clear in the glass.

S – Wheat, grain but toasted or baked. Fresh bread? Beer? Toast? Whatever the combination it was a first whiff that required a second and even a third.

T – Toasted malt with some roasted nut flavors and that hint of yeast in the background. Not overlay "wheaty" or raw grain taste. Nice tingle from the carbonation and the alcohol but not too strong or too bubbly.

M – Bubbles, but not overkill; not the American mainstream of carbonation to death. Seemed balanced for the roast level of the malts.

D – A drinkable, not overly dark, roasted beer with subtle nuances in the flavor, aromas, and finish. Not the best but a a definite improvement over mass market commercial grocery store. I've a preference for Stouts but this is a nice change and would go well with a beef or BBQ dish and still hold it's own. Not my first, second or third choice as an everyday brew, but one I'd grab given a limited restaurant beer-list. Buy again? Yeah, probably as a change of pace or definitely Yes if on sale.

Serving type: bottle

10-14-2007 21:35:13 | More by plexiprs

oomir11

Louisiana

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

Presentation: 17 oz glass bottle poured in a frozen glass beer mug. No freshness date on bottle.

Appearance: Hazy golden brown with nice white lacing that lasts.

Smell: Banana and malts. Smells like banana bread.

Taste: Tastes of sweet roasted wheat and malts with nutty and yeasty undertones. Excellent taste.

Mouth feel: Smooth, nicely carbonated, full body beer.

Serving type: bottle

12-25-2008 02:06:50 | More by oomir11

dvar

Brazil

4.15/5  rDev -2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

An excellent beer; a great bargain for it's price.

Pours with grace; does not form many foam, which dissipates quite quickly.
Deliciously bitter, without being aggressive. So being a very drinkable and enjoyable experience. Good beer to keep at hand.

Serving type: bottle

01-22-2009 14:21:34 | More by dvar

KingHeroical

British Columbia (Canada)

4.18/5  rDev -1.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Appearance: slightly cloudy - dark copper. Lots of thick rocky head which lasted for quite a while.

Smell: some malt but mostly fruity esters (as it should be with a wheat-beer IMHO). Banana really stands out, without being overpowering.

Taste: really delivers on the smell - nicely malty with lots of fruity presence. Again, banana really makes itself known, but not in an intrusive way - sweet without being cloying, and a hint of hops to keep it all in check. There is also a sour tanginess that is really fantastic.

Excellent beer start to finish.

Serving type: bottle

07-08-2011 02:57:36 | More by KingHeroical

DrunkenMonk

California

3.15/5  rDev -26.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.25

This poured a murky yellow brown, cloudy from the yeast, creating a frothy head.

The scent is malty but not aggressive.

The taste is malty and bready with a light mouthfeel, verging on watery.

This would be enjoyable on a bright day at a beer garden.

Serving type: bottle

05-19-2013 06:52:50 | More by DrunkenMonk

keeper006

Oklahoma

4.6/5  rDev +8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

My favorite dark wheat by a nose over Franziskaner. The finish here is better with none of the characteristic metallic aftertaste of some other smooth dunkels.


As the other Weihenstephaner styles are also exceptionally tasty (kristal and wheat), I recommend having one of each if you're having this for the 1st time. Having more than 3 of the dunkels starts to put you into that morphine-like stupor though, so I would recommend switching to another style at that point as far as drinkability goes.

Serving type: bottle

03-25-2011 18:52:21 | More by keeper006

alexolit

California

4.13/5  rDev -3.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I bought a bottle of this beer at Number One Liquor in Redondo Beach, CA.

The beer poured with a two-finger head and a cloudy, honey-brown complexion. The head retention was good seeing as the head lasted throughout. The aroma was pleasing, presenting with a light spiciness, fruity esters, a bread-like heartiness, and no noticeable hop presence. The taste bore a strong malt sweetness, light spiciness on the tongue, and cloves. The mouthfeel is pleasing with a light coating left on the tongue. Overall, this is a good beer, hearty and satisfying.

Serving type: bottle

08-06-2011 02:57:37 | More by alexolit