Black Walnut Dunkel - Perennial Artisan Ales

dar482

New York

4.4/5  rDev +10.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

The beer comes in a copper dark brown.

The aroma has roasted malt, but also a lot of fruit.

The flavor has the roasted malt of a dunkel, but more light with caramel and light brown sugar. I get more fruit in here than nuts. There's a pop of bright apple, which then complements the nuttiness really well.

The mouthfeel is light and carbonation. The sweet gentle malt is wonderful on the finish.

A wonderful dunkel. More on the light side with the fruit and nuttiness instead of the deep roast of the traditional German ones. Very drinkable.

Serving type: on-tap

06-04-2013 01:50:02 | More by dar482

mdfb79

New York

4/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

From 06/01/13 notes. Had an 8 oz. pour of this on tap at Tørst in Brooklyn, NY.

a - Pours a reddish dark brown color with one inch of off white head and moderate carbonation evident.

s - Smells of walnuts, sweet vanilla, cream, fruit, roasted malts, nuts, and earthy notes.

t - Tastes of walnuts, peanuts, roasted malts, dark fruits, chocolate, toasted malts, earthy notes, musty, and light sweet vanilla. Again, tson of nuts to it, as ot be expected.

m - Medium body and low carbonation. Smooth and creamy, and easy to drink. Nice mouthfeel.

o - Overall I thought this sounded interesting and thought it worked really well. As you'd expect, there is a ton of walnut in the nose and taste, mixing nicely with the roasted and toasted malts. Worth checking out, would have it again.

Serving type: on-tap

06-03-2013 21:03:18 | More by mdfb79

JayQue

Virginia

4.05/5  rDev +2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Good, refreshing and fairly light beer. Poured into an Aventinus Weizen glass. Murky brown color with a medium size light tan head. Ruby highlights when held to a light, decent head retention and some lacing.

Aroma is good, bready malts, brown sugar, hefe style yeast and a little banana. There is also a hint of floral hops.

Flavor is similar but not quite as prominent. The walnuts add an earth musty aspect to the flavor...the hefeweizen type aspects are less pronounced. Sweetness, malts and the walnuts are the most prominent flavors. Pretty tasty.

Mouthfeel is crisp and rich. A hint of bitterness and floral hops at the end but mostly a nice bready, sweet, fairly well carbonated brew.

Good one, very drinkable and flavorful without a high abv.

Serving type: bottle

06-02-2013 01:42:30 | More by JayQue

wordemupg

Alberta (Canada)

4.03/5  rDev +1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

750ml bottle poured into tulip 30/5/13, cheers MasterSki and Sean9689 for sending the bottle

A looks like cola in color with enough clarity to almost see the other side under the large and loose beige head, one thick ring followed by lots of random patches

S smells like chocolate chip banana bread with walnuts and caramel, that's about all I get but that's more then enough to please

T earthy herbal notes and the walnuts more noticeable and the banana breads toned down, tastes pretty solid but the nose had a little something over it, some raisin as it warmed

M lighter side of medium, a little airy at first and it flattens out rather quickly, long nutty banana bread finish

O interesting version of a dunkel, no real complaints other then a a few extra bubbles in the mouth, nose was the highlight and reminded me of Grandmas baking in a good way

I'd drink this again but I feel it would be better suited for that evening when the leaves first start to fall off the trees

Serving type: bottle

05-31-2013 03:31:56 | More by wordemupg

vfalstad

Illinois

4.54/5  rDev +14.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

On Tap

Appearance: the color of a dark honey amber, like old crystallized honey. Very appealing

Smell: toasted walnuts, caramel and light molasses

Taste: it's beautifully smooth, sweet, and wonderfully balanced. It tastes of roasted walnuts (roasting brings out the sweetness and natural oils in walnuts, enhancing the flavors), sweet banana, light molasses or brown sugar and malty.

Mouth feel : smooth and tingles the tongue

Side notes: it's better than the banana walnut bread I made this morning. My first intro to dunkelweizen and it won't be my last.

Serving type: on-tap

05-25-2013 22:44:03 | More by vfalstad

tito42

Missouri

4.51/5  rDev +13.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

Poured from 750 mL champagne bottle to a tulip glass. Bottled 2/2013.

A: Murky copper, active carbonation, copper-toned and foamy head.

S: Malt, wheat, granny smith apple, bubblegum, coriander, walnuts.

T: Malt and apple backbone with wheat, walnuts, banana, and plum.

M: Medium-bodied with slightly hoppy finish and bite from the carbonation that leaves a nice warmth but doesn't linger in an unwelcome manner.

O: A very fresh and flavorful seasonal offering from a new brewery (to me). I'll definitely be picking up more of their offerings, if I can find them.

Serving type: bottle

04-20-2013 03:24:23 | More by tito42

wattoclone

Pennsylvania

5/5  rDev +25.9%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

As a huge fan of both the dunkelweiss style and walnuts I was excited to find a bottle of this at Capone's in Norristown. It was worth every penny.

Appearance: Near black, unfiltered with the expected dunkelweiss head.

Smell: Aroma of roasted walnuts, caramel and expresso.

Taste: Black walnuts, caramel, subtle fuit sweetness and coffee.

As a lover of the dunkelweiss style, I routinely keep a keg of Franziskaner dunkel in my beer cooler and many bottles of Ayinger Ur-weisse in my fridge. This is the first American craft version of dunkelweiss which rivals the Bavarian originals and even surpasses them in quality. A must try if you can find it and like the style. If only BWD was more readily available.

Serving type: bottle

04-18-2013 17:36:59 | More by wattoclone

xnicknj

Pennsylvania

3.99/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

on tap at bainbridge barrel house

Deep almost cola brown colored pour, thin white head and mild retention. Spotty lacing streaks the glass while drinking.

Toasted walnuts, caramel sweetness and toasted grains in the nose. Hints of sweetness and warmth with a continuing notion of chestnuts on an open fire.

Extremely nutty up front, toasted, roasted and broasted hints. Meaty walnuts, bread crust and caramel. Fuller backbone, decently sweet and slightly warm in the finish.

Fuller medium body, decent carbonation, creamy and smooth on the tongue. How do you effectively prevent boring people with a traditional style - evidently you walnut the crap out of it. I was into this but I could see some not enjoying it quite as much.

Serving type: on-tap

04-16-2013 22:32:58 | More by xnicknj

rfgetz

New Jersey

3.84/5  rDev -3.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Dark, almost cola like brown with haze, moderate tan tinted head. Scent brings lots of caramel with some notes of roasted nuts and grain, some dark fruit also present. Scent is quite bold with sweet malt the star and an adequate amount of roast, some earthy and grassy hops - strengthens at the end of the sip. Medium bodied, light in carbonation. Another decent beer from Perennial.

Serving type: on-tap

04-15-2013 18:08:26 | More by rfgetz

EkimGram

New York

3.43/5  rDev -13.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Taken from my beer journal dated 6/13/12

Appearance: 750mL bottle poured into standard pint. Colour is a nice walnut-brown with a large two-finger head that fades to a puffy layer on top with minimal lacing. No visible carbonation but it certainly is audible!

Smell: Faint aromas of sweet malts, bready yeast, and walnuts.

Taste: Well-balanced flavours of sweet, nutty malts, spicy yeast, and a warming boozy finish.

Mouthfeel: Medium-full body is thick, silky, and alive with plenty of carbonation. Finishes with a lingering stickiness.

Overall: A solid brew. In general, it is a pretty sweet beer but not in a cloying way. It is nicely balanced and interesting enough for me to want to finish the bottle.

Serving type: bottle

01-16-2013 04:26:30 | More by EkimGram

pudgecat

Illinois

4.08/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured into a pint glass out of a 750 mL bottle.

A- Amber brown color, thin head.

S- Nutty and smoky

T - Suprisingly well balanced, smooth, right amount of nut flavor not overpowering.

M - Smooth and light.

O- I was surprised by the light feel and flavor. I was expecting something chewey given appearance and smell.

Serving type: bottle

11-21-2012 01:14:36 | More by pudgecat

brewcrew76

Wisconsin

4/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Deep brown with ruby highlights, khaki head and plenty of foam on the sides of the glass.

S - Nutty (not sure I would have picked out walnut), sweet malts, light banana, fruity as it warms, light cocoa.

T - More dark fruits in flavor, sweet fruity bubblegum, banana, nutty, toasted bread with light cocoa.

M - Very smooth and creamy. Maybe a little thin and watery but it works really well.

D - Enjoyed all the Perennial beers i have tried so far. Interesting twist on the style.

Serving type: bottle

09-20-2012 23:45:53 | More by brewcrew76

jlindros

Massachusetts

4/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Thanks to Lukahn (Reddit) for really interesting beer. Share with rudzud.

Big fizzy creamy almost 2 finger head fades fairly quickly at first then slows and maintains, nice lacing, murky heavy looking super dark molasses color.

Nose a fruity dunkel, lots of fruity lager and esters, lots of dark brownish malts, molasses, biscuit, wheat, caramelized wheat, syrupy sweet, light earthy nutty, toffee galore, caramelized creme brulee, hint of cocoa, quite nutty as it warms almost peanut butter like.

Taste starts light syrupy and fairly sweet, lots of caramel, toffee, and molasses but not too thick and syrupy, little biscuit, some light fruity esters and apple and lager fruits, light wheat darker caramelized wheat. Some cocoa and light booze. Nuts come out more add it warns again, this time a bit more like walnuts. Finish ads a bit of booze and bitterness, light sweetness and syrupy mouth coating, bit of nuts and lots more caramel and toffee lingering.

Mouth is med to rich bodied, good carb, little syrupy and hint of booze

Overall interesting, fairly tasty, wish it had a bit more of the walnuts, but otherwise fairly tasty and well done, and quite unique.

Serving type: bottle

08-18-2012 01:01:32 | More by jlindros

rudzud

Massachusetts

3.95/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Big thanks to JLindros for sharing this beer.

A - Poured into a Kate the Great tulip a kinda clear dense hazelnut brown hue with a nice one finger mocha that left big lacing and a thick blanket.

S - Aromas of nice malty toffee caramel sweetness tons of caramel with nice background of roasted nuts. Nuts are nice and faint to start with lots of almonds (I know its walnuts though). Super inviting.

T - Lots of chocolate on this with more strong caramel, malts, ans toffee. Great toasty and roasty nuts come this out as it warms. Tasty enough but a little sweet.

M - Mouthfeel is good, not bad. Carbonation keeps it from being too heavy or syrupy.

O - Overall this was a cool beer glad I got to try it. Nice nuttiness. Quite nice and tasty, rather unique.

Serving type: bottle

08-17-2012 22:37:10 | More by rudzud

chanokokoro

Illinois

4.23/5  rDev +6.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a 750 ml bottle into weizen glasses.

Pours a dark brown with a two finger beige head. No visible lacing. A pleasing aroma with notes of banana, cocoa, subtle spice, and earthiness. Opens with subtle toffee and cocoa joined by nutty banana bread, and finishes smooth with mild earthiness. Lighter-side of medium bodied. The level of carbonation is perfect, pleasant, but not in a way that disrupts the silky, smooth mouthfeel. The black walnuts really add a new dimension to an excellent dunkelweizen base. Another excellent brew from Perennial. They have yet to disappoint.

Serving type: bottle

08-11-2012 03:07:26 | More by chanokokoro

socon67

New York

4.08/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Dark brown pour. Minimal brown foam and zero lacing. Slight carbonation.

S - Smells of black licorice and molasses. Very inviting smell. Smell of walnuts is only evident as the beer warmed. Even then, it was faint.

T - Taste is sugary sweet. Brown sugar, cinnamon, and licorice flavors. Taste of smoked almonds linders. Has a minor spicy bite at the end.

M - Very drinkable and complex beer. Feels much lighter than the style or the ABV.

O - Liked this one alot. One of the most flavorful Dunkels I've had in a long time. Would have again.

Serving type: bottle

08-07-2012 02:33:32 | More by socon67

jmarsh123

Indiana

3.68/5  rDev -7.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Thanks to drewba for the nice extra!

Pours deep brown with a small tuft of beige head that clings a bit to the side of the glass.

Big nutty aroma along with a lot of malty sweetness and some banana.

Flavor is a tad disappointing after the aroma. Typical dunkel flavors here. Some chocolate malt, wheat and banana. Maybe a bit of nuttiness, but probably wouldn't pick out that flavor if I tasted this blind.

Medium to light bodied with ample carbonation.

A well done dunkelweizen although I wish the flavor were nuttier. Not a style I have often so it was nice for a change up even if it isn't anything innovative.

Serving type: bottle

08-06-2012 21:07:55 | More by jmarsh123

Mora2000

Texas

4/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

The beer pours a brown color with a tan head. The aroma is full of toffee and walnuts, two notes that really go well together in this case. The flavor is very similar. I get a lot of sweet toffee and brown sugar notes, with some walnuts and chocolate also thrown in. Medium mouthfeel and medium carbonation. Very well done and very enjoyable.

Serving type: bottle

08-05-2012 22:10:54 | More by Mora2000

GregSVT

Texas

4.1/5  rDev +3.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

750ml bottle into a snifter

A: Pours a light brown with a light tan head that fades to a ring and leaves some lacing.

S: The nose is amazing on this one. Big notes of chocolate, cocoa powder, nuts, and sweet malt.

T: The taste is nice as well although I expected a bit more after the nose. I get all the same things from the nose but they are not as pronounced. The nutty element is a touch bigger in the taste than the nose though.

M: The feel is on the lighter side of medium bodied with a nice amount of carbonation.

O: I was impressed by this one and would love to have it again. Recommended if you can get it.

Serving type: bottle

07-17-2012 21:11:51 | More by GregSVT

homebrew311

Illinois

3.98/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Nice to see another up and coming brewery available in Chicago. Poured into Goose Island wine glass. Appearance is somewhat murky and brown, minimal head upon pour with no retention. The nose features familiar notes of dunkelweizen, plenty of orange and coriander. The walnut comes through in subtle waves as it warms in the glass. Hints at molasses and brown sugar present as well. The taste is similar to the nose. Somewhat sweet up front with lots of ripe fruits and some spice. The walnut provides a delicate nutty finish, but definitely hangs in the background. The mouthfeel is thin with medium to high carbonation. Overall, this is a unique twist on the style. It seems that brews that add nuts are hit in mis as far as the nut presence is concerned. The walnut is evident, but it did take some time to discover. Overall, worth a try.

Serving type: bottle

07-13-2012 05:35:24 | More by homebrew311

UCLABrewN84

California

3.63/5  rDev -8.6%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Thanks to DrAwkward82 for sharing this one at AndrewK’s tasting.

Pours a murky dark brown with a foamy khaki head that settles to an oily film on top of the beer. Small dots of lace drip down into the remaining beer on the drink down. Smell is of malt, brown sugar, caramel, and toffee. Taste is the same with some mild nutty flavors and a slight tartness. This beer has a good level of carbonation with a crisp mouthfeel. Overall, this is a pretty good beer with a better smell than taste in my opinion. The walnuts used in this one are pretty subtle too.

Serving type: bottle

06-26-2012 00:54:53 | More by UCLABrewN84

zeff80

Missouri

4.08/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

On tap at 1839 Taphouse - Columbia, MO

A - Poured a clear, burgundy color with a one-finger, tan head of bubbly foam. It left sudsy trails of lace on the glass.

S - It smelled of walnut, caramel, some cracked wheat and banana.

T - It had a strong nutty flavor with some sweet caramel and wheat flavors. Nice bitterness to add needed balance.

M - It was crisp, sharp and smooth. A medium bodied ale with a clean finish.

O - This was surprisingly good. I was apprehensive about black walnuts in a dunkel, but it was really good.

Serving type: on-tap

04-16-2012 01:33:34 | More by zeff80

Tone

Missouri

3.8/5  rDev -4.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Pours a black color. 1/4 inch head of an off-tan color. Good retention and great lacing. Smells of hops, sweet malt, slight roasted malt, hint of caramel malt, and a hint of wheat. Fits the style of a Dunkelweizen. Mouth feel is sharp and clean, with an average carbonation level. Tastes of hops, slight alcohol, sweet malt, roasted malt, hint of sourness, and a hint of wheat. Overall, good appearance, body, and blend.

Serving type: on-tap

04-04-2012 15:18:15 | More by Tone

n2185

North Carolina

3.38/5  rDev -14.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A: Pours a dark brown with three fingers of light tan head that recedes into a dense cap with no lacing.

S: Sweet aromas dominate at first--light fruits, bananas, and bubblegum mostly. Some darker aromas bring up the finish, with notes of nuts, cocoa, and roasted malts.

T: The flavor is also a bit sweet at first, with flavors of dates, bubblegum, and some dark fruits. Some nutty and roasty flavors follow with a bready finish.

M: Medium-light body with mid-high carbonation, this beer is pretty drinkable, though is also slightly watery.

O: An alright beer, overall, with some interesting flavors and aromas. Unfortunately they don't mesh very well, but it's still a drinkable beer.

Serving type: bottle

04-02-2012 02:55:02 | More by n2185

birchstick

Missouri

3.93/5  rDev -1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours deep brown, almost black. Smells sweet, with some caramel malts, sugary fruits, and a little nutty. Taste starts off with lots of caramel malts that move into darker fruits (grapes and plums). A little sweet nuttiness and sweet malt is on the finish. Really nice, rich flavor profile. Mouth is full bodies and smooth. Pretty solid dunkel. The walnut adds a nice layer of complexity to a pretty solid beer.

Serving type: growler

03-25-2012 00:56:05 | More by birchstick