Weihenstephaner Hefeweissbier Dunkel - Bayerische Staatsbrauerei Weihenstephan

Labeorphile

Texas

4.74/5  rDev +11.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75

Poured from a bottle into a pint glass. Nice hazy copper color with a fluffy white head. Not much lacing, but not much expected from style.

Aroma is amazing. Good blend of maltiness with a hint of spice. I've heard green apple and pie spice and those are perfect descriptions.

Flavor is great as well. Good malts with the spice punching through nicely among a good level of carbonation.

A truly delicious wheat beer and another solid offering from Weihenstephaner.

Serving type: bottle

05-24-2013 01:46:09 | More by Labeorphile

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

Rutager

British Columbia (Canada)

4.38/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

Appearance. Pours a hazy amber-gold with 1.5 fingers of frothy white head.

Smell Caramel and banana, spicy belgian yeast and some bubblegum and cloves.

Taste. Caramel, banana, belgian yeast and cloves, and a little bit of light malt. Pretty light and refreshing.

Mouthfeel. Medium-light body, medium-strong but soft and smooth carbonation.

Overall. I was surprised by how much I like this one.

Serving type: bottle

05-05-2013 17:27:22 | More by Rutager

bmwats

Louisiana

4.05/5  rDev -4.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

Poured from a 500 ml bottle into a weizen.

A: Medium dark brown. Pours about a 2 finger, frothy, white head. Settles slowly and unevenly leaving little peaks and valleys as it does. Thick lacing.

S: Pecans, caramel, and roasted malt.

T: Woody, nutty, roasted malt, with hints of caramel.

M: Smooth. Syrupy and malty with a light buttery aftertaste.

D: Sip and savor.

Atmosphere is pretty great. Nice head, and lacing. Nose is full and flavorful. Flavor is nutty, and malty with some hints of caramel. Very well balanced. Overall, this is a great quaff.

Serving type: bottle

05-04-2013 07:31:04 | More by bmwats

DrDemento456

Pennsylvania

4.2/5  rDev -1.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

A - This may be the lightest Dunkel I have ever had. A shade darker than the Hefeweizen, hazy with a solid inch of sticky white head.
S - Like the Hefe its filled with banana like yeasts, coriander, and a touch of plums/dark fruit.
T - Taste is a bit sweeter than the Hefeweizen and the yeast is not as cloying which is nice. The fruity aspect blends well with the bready flavors of the malt perfectly. Wheat and orange peel is balanced.
M - Light to medium in body, very refreshing stuff.

Overall this is a great Dunkel my only gripe is not much dark fruit or dark color but I can let that slide since this beer is pure delicious.

Serving type: bottle

05-01-2013 04:16:48 | More by DrDemento456

MaximalC

Illinois

4.15/5  rDev -2.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.25

Pours a murky, burnt honey color with a cap of thick, craggy, beige foam. Aroma is fairly mild, smelling of caramel, banana, cloves, and yeast. The flavor perfectly matches the aroma, so I won't reiterate it here. I will say that the mouthfeel is divine, as the effervescent carbonation complements the flavor and body perfectly. This is very similar to their hefeweizen, just with more of a caramel flavor, which I actually find to be a little too sweet for my tastes. With that said, it's right for the style, and there's no denying the execution. This is one flavorful and refreshing beer.

Serving type: bottle

04-30-2013 00:47:30 | More by MaximalC

dar482

New York

4/5  rDev -6.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

The beer has a big head made of very little bubbles. The color is a cloudy light brown. You can barely see anythign through it.

The aroma has sweet sweet bananas, malty breadiness, yeast, bubble gum, and clove spice.

The flavor reminds me a lot of the hefeweizen and the weizenbock. It’s a maltier, bigger hefeweizen, but still refreshing. There’s a wheat, bready malt, yeast, then orange and over ripe banana. There’s a good bubbly body. There’s a slightly dry finish.

A wonderful version of the Hefeweizen that Weihenstephaner makes. Extremely drinkable and smooth. Great flavors. I prefer bigger malts, like the Weizenbock. Quite good however.

Serving type: bottle

04-22-2013 02:21:01 | More by dar482

Greywulfken

New York

4.61/5  rDev +8.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75

A: hazy warm wood brown beer in the always stunning weizen glass - fat cap of white foam left some lace arms down the glass

S: warm, sweet wheat malt and fruitier high notes

T: you are drinking dark semi-sweet wheat, hints of the banana/clove-ish-ness and traces of warm chestnut. Words can't do justice - one of the best wheat malt flavors you're going to find

M: soft, smooth, creamy, fuzzy

O: it's a world-class beer. Regardless of personal preferences, all BAs should find their way here at some point. It is an exemplary beer.

Serving type: bottle

04-21-2013 16:03:13 | More by Greywulfken

barczar

Kentucky

4.21/5  rDev -1.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Pours a murky medium brown with yeast sediment floaties and a frothy, puffy 2 inch cream head that won't quit. As it does dissipate, it leaves sticky lacing.

Orange, coriander, and banana accompany yeast in the initial aroma. Notes if clove and lemon complement the wheat character well. Citrus dominates.
There's a slightly bready note and a touch of floral sweetness.

Flavor reveals tart lemon, bubblegum, and banana underlying a wheaty, slightly bready backbone. Clove, orange, and slightly plasticy phenols add complexity. The finish is fairly bready, peppery, and floral.

Body is moderate to a touch light, with fairly high carbonation.

Definitely more malt character than the hefe, which suits my palate well. Excellent yeast esters.

Serving type: bottle

04-05-2013 21:58:31 | More by barczar

FosterJM

California

4.18/5  rDev -1.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

1760th review on BA
Bottle to Speiglau Wheat glass
500 ml

App- Out of the bottle, a mix of browns and a bit of golds.A nice puffy 2-1/2 finger head that was a long time to settle. A bit of whites flecked in the center of the glass. Nice deep cling and lace.

Smell- A very good Dunkelweizen. A good mix of the base hefeweizen with a deeper richer malt nose. A bit of dark fruits like a quad with some rich caramels. A classic aroma to say the least.

Taste- Very similar to the the Hefe from this brewery. They nail the style with a bit of malts, wheat and caramel on the flavors. Well balanced and a bit spicy. The overall flavors and tastes dont overwhelm but compliment eachother.

Mouth- A bit of a lighter medium body with a pretty thick carbonation. A bit more caramel on the residual flavors than i wouldve thought, but very good non the less.

Drink- Its in the top 250 for a reason. I like the hefe better though.

Serving type: bottle

04-03-2013 00:45:46 | More by FosterJM

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

Hendry

Vermont

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

For anyone that has travelled to Germany to taste fresh Dunkel beer, they may have experienced the same disappointment if they do not speak the language in restaurants or pubs. Unless you are buying bottled beer in a store, waiters and bartenders will purposely ignore your request and serve you the local brew (in France they did the same to me when I ordered a Paulaner: they tried to serve me Kronenbourg).

Almost opaque brown, this rich malty brew has a nice hop spice to it that sets it apart from the bland counterparts of which there are many. There is a creamy goodness to this dunkel that eludes the price and is well worth a try.

Serving type: bottle

03-24-2013 01:24:46 | More by Hendry

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

stephenjmoore

Maryland

4.36/5  rDev +2.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

A- Not really sure how to define the color of this one. Almost ranges from a watered down cola color, to a pale brown. Body is cloudy, but light makes it's way through. Big frothy tan head on top that hangs around for a while.

S- Lots of banana, wheat, grainy bread, hint of zesty citrus.

T- Great flavors of wheat, banana, caramel, grains, even some tobacco flavors sneak in towards the end. The aroma seemed similar to the traditional hefe, but the darker flavors come through in a big way in the taste.

M- Medium bodied, somewhat creamy while maintaining nice carbonation. Very pleasant.

O- Really a solid beer. Great flavors, complex, enjoyable.

Serving type: bottle

03-21-2013 00:16:32 | More by stephenjmoore

M_C_Hampton

Georgia

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

A: poured from a 500 ml bottle into a weizen glass, yellow brown colored with a huge fluffy white head that dissipates leaving some lacing, cloudy

S: yeasty, banana, clove, coriander, spice, toasted malt, biscuit

T: banana, clove, earthy, toffee, bread, caramel, malt, spices, lemon, anise

M: light to medium bodied with good carbonation, refreshing

O: an excellent dunkelweizen with all of the right qualities for the style

Serving type: bottle

03-19-2013 22:53:54 | More by M_C_Hampton

djura

Serbia

4.23/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Got it in Romania.

A - Huge foam,darker,lots of bubbles,full body,ruby color.
S - Cereals,light smell of dark fruits,very familiar hefe weiss smell.
T/M - Drinkable,crispy,smooth to drink. Full taste. Doesn't feel like dark beer,but have more complex and stronger taste then light hefe beers. No carbonation.

O - Honestly, so good beer,i could drink it instead of breakfast.

Serving type: bottle

03-14-2013 21:21:20 | More by djura

scottfrie

California

4.49/5  rDev +5.4%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

500ml bottle into SA perfect pint glass.

A: Pour a clear woody brown color with golden highlights beneath a very active, dense, thick, light tan head that lasted forever. Head eventually collapsed into a massive layer that left
S: Sweet, spicy and decadent smelling. Clove and banana dominated with hints of wheat, lemon and brown sugar. Smells awesome.
T: Clove, brown sugar, honey, wheat, dry roasted grains, molasses, banana, and faint lemon all come through, maybe with a touch of black pepper and chalky yeast as well. The finish is spicy and reminiscent of banana bread (full of nuts, raisins, nutmeg, cinnamon etc), and the aftertaste is earthy, peppery and flavored of apple juice or cider.
M: Medium-full body, fluffy, dense and soft carbonation frothy up on my tongue, with a creamy and fulfilling mouthfeel.
O: A fantastic beer and a great darker alternative to a normal hefeweizen. I’m no expert but probably one of the best in the style.

Serving type: bottle

03-06-2013 02:05:52 | More by scottfrie

guityler83

Wisconsin

4.74/5  rDev +11.3%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75

A: A hazy penny copper color on the thin part of the glass melds to dark brown leather on the thick part. Lots of pillowy big bubbles with an aggressive pour.

S: Cloves and bananna esters peek through the wheat bread armoma.

T: Bananna, toast, no hop flavor detected. Slightly sweet, but so sessionable you can't help but take big gulps.

M: moderate carb with a smooth body. nice crisp clean finish. A tingly sensation on the toungue possibly from the residual yeast, nice!

O: This is by FAR my favorite wheat beer... and its the first time I've had it. I'll be seeking out more Dunkelweizen's in the near future!

Serving type: bottle

03-06-2013 00:57:46 | More by guityler83

DIM

Pennsylvania

3.7/5  rDev -13.1%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5

a: This was a muddy looking caramel color. It poured with a massive, rocky head that refused to dissipate.

s Banana, cloves, plus hints of caramel and cocoa. Very bready overall.

t: This wasn't quite as fresh tasting as I hoped it would be. Yeasty cloves and banans lightly dusted with cocoa.

m: Maybe an old bottle, this wasn't quite as full bodied does I hoped it would be.

o: A bit of a disappointment overall. I just don't think this bottle was very fresh. Still, this wasn't bad at all.

Serving type: bottle

03-03-2013 23:41:44 | More by DIM

minterro

Michigan

4.18/5  rDev -1.9%
look: 4.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

I believe this is my first beer of this style, and little to no experience means I don't have much to go off of. Bought this beer on a whim in Hancock, MI at their CO-OP, the whole oldest brewery thing caught my eye.

A&S: From the Dunkelweizen description this beer pretty much nails the appearance category; murky brown, huge clumps of yeast, great head retention (light brown coloration). The smell isn't very powerful but it does contain pleasant banana yeastiness along with some sweet maltyness.

T&M: Super drinkable for starters. Has the classic hefewisen banana and clove tones. Similar to the nose as far as the malts are concerned. Nothing surprising or nothing standing out. very crisp with little bitterness, medium to light body.

overall: I was happily surprised by this beer. Some of these old European breweries have beer that tastes remarkably similar (mostly due to the purity laws), but this beer and this style incredible delightful. The cost on this beer is extremely low compared to the quality (I believe it was around 3 dollars). Would highly recommend this beer to anyone.

Serving type: bottle

02-21-2013 08:31:59 | More by minterro

kawilliams81

Illinois

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

Poured from a 16.9 oz bottle into a Half Acre tulip.

A- pours dark brown with a 2 finger dark tan head. Big walls and leopard spotting of lacing cover the glass.

S- sweet maple, toast, toffee, caramel

T- huge sweet malts, toast, caramel, toffee, light roast, and slight bitterness.

M- medium body and carbonation. Thick, syrupy and creamy feel.

O- very good dunkel. Huge sweet malts with some light toast notes.

Serving type: bottle

02-21-2013 03:24:43 | More by kawilliams81

StonedTrippin

Colorado

3.99/5  rDev -6.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

epic value at under 4 bucks per bottle. the pour is really cloudy brownish pinkish color, kind of odd really, with a really robust pure white head of thick foam, long lasting, and leaves good lace. the color is funky, and I think this is far superior on tap, but the beer itself is amazing. it smells like good german hefe yeast and dark wheat malt, some solid toast on the grains, and a refreshing citrus element. the flavor is identical to the nose, rich and complex, quite fruity, but a little more roast than the weizenbock or the regular hef. I like the additional body it provides, there is a nice soft feel too, although the carbonation is still quite lively. its traditional, its cheap, and its damn good. how can you beat that? I think of the four ive had from this brewery, I like the regular hefe the best, but all have been extraordinary. again, the value cannot be beat!

Serving type: bottle

02-11-2013 23:23:46 | More by StonedTrippin

Huffs

New York

4.25/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Poured into a Weiss Beer glass which developed a tan frothy head. Head was full and lasting with little lacing. Aroma was hoppy, almost grainy with a hint of sweetness and malt, Appearance was a light brown / straw color with a cloudy hue. Taste was clean and hoppy with hints of citrus and grain and slight caramel. Tasted more like a Weiss than a dark Weiss. Aftertaste was clean and dry with a light dry mouthfeel.

Serving type: bottle

01-06-2013 00:51:06 | More by Huffs

brewskifan55

Mississippi

4.23/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured into a tulip glass

A: Fig brown with a tan, two finger head that lasts and lasts. Lacing for days. What a beauty.

S: Bananas, dark fruits, cloves.

T: Follows nose with a malty base. Sweet, yeasty, caramel. Yum!

M: Medium to heavy with great, frothy carbonation.

O: A delight in drinking. A marvelous hybrid of light and dark. Recommended.

Serving type: bottle

12-31-2012 15:21:56 | More by brewskifan55

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