-
Stop lurking! Log in to search, post in our forums, review beers, see fewer ads, and more. — Todd, Founder of BeerAdvocate
Ayinger Altbairisch Dunkel
Ayinger Privatbrauerei
- From:
- Ayinger Privatbrauerei
- Germany
- Style:
- Munich Dunkel
Ranked #13 - ABV:
- 5%
- Score:
- 89
Ranked #11,494 - Avg:
- 3.98 | pDev: 9.55%
- Reviews:
- 683
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- Mar 03, 2024
- Added:
- Dec 13, 2001
- Wants:
- 108
- Gots:
- 151
Up until the Second World War, dark beer was the predominant beer type in the Munich area. The hard water found in the region played a special role in producing this specialty. In his book “Beer International”, the world-renowned English beer writer, Michael Jackson, accurately describes the Ayinger “Altbairisch Dunkel” as: “A good example of its kind. Impenetrably dark with a golden-brown gleam when held up to the light, and with a warm aroma and malty taste, while summoning up coffee taste sensations on going down. It is brewed from five types of malt (two of which are torrified dark), and it is only lightly hopped.” It is produced using the traditional double fermentation process.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by AndrewNations:
Reviewed by AndrewNations from Louisiana
3.67/5 rDev -7.8%
look: 5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
3.67/5 rDev -7.8%
look: 5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Reviewing from Notes. I had this beer during Oktoberfest 2010 in Munich. An amazing experience.
Serving type: Served on draft at the Ayinger Haus across from Hoffbrau
A - Bright brown and almost red hues that complemented the base color of a typical lagers. A very cool color that makes you want to look again.
S - Not a whole lot on the nose. Slight sweet, yeast, and bread notes.
T - Such a clean beer. The Germans do lagers so well and this one is no exception. The darker malts that make up the color and the bigger body also provided a bit more sugar but not overbearing. It was almost like a dark helles.
M - Pretty Good. A bit on the heavier side and a tad viscous but overall it worked well. Not overly carbonated
D - Great. This is a great style as the dark color and subsequent sweetness might appeal to those who are same of the same lagers.
Dec 28, 2010Serving type: Served on draft at the Ayinger Haus across from Hoffbrau
A - Bright brown and almost red hues that complemented the base color of a typical lagers. A very cool color that makes you want to look again.
S - Not a whole lot on the nose. Slight sweet, yeast, and bread notes.
T - Such a clean beer. The Germans do lagers so well and this one is no exception. The darker malts that make up the color and the bigger body also provided a bit more sugar but not overbearing. It was almost like a dark helles.
M - Pretty Good. A bit on the heavier side and a tad viscous but overall it worked well. Not overly carbonated
D - Great. This is a great style as the dark color and subsequent sweetness might appeal to those who are same of the same lagers.
More User Ratings:
Reviewed by RFBSeit68
4.71/5 rDev +18.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
4.71/5 rDev +18.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
For those who don’t think they like dark beers…this is a great example of what beer should be. Great flavor, great feel, great way to spend a Sunday!
Feb 20, 2024Reviewed by mpruden from Ohio
4/5 rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
4/5 rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Poured from a 500 ml bottle into two oval Pilsner glasses.
Looi: Dark brown, with a two-fingers light tan head that lingered, leaving plenty of lacing.
Nose: Dark malt, dark dried fruit, a hint of brown sugar.
Mouthfeel: Medium, adequate carbonation.
Attack: Grain, dark malt, slight sweetness.
Finish: Slight hop bitterness to balance.
Overall: Very drinkable, and nice depth of flavor for the style. For my money, this is the standard to which to compare all Munich Dunkels. It’s also a great contrasting pairing for the venison stew we’re enjoying with it tonight.
Oct 16, 2023Looi: Dark brown, with a two-fingers light tan head that lingered, leaving plenty of lacing.
Nose: Dark malt, dark dried fruit, a hint of brown sugar.
Mouthfeel: Medium, adequate carbonation.
Attack: Grain, dark malt, slight sweetness.
Finish: Slight hop bitterness to balance.
Overall: Very drinkable, and nice depth of flavor for the style. For my money, this is the standard to which to compare all Munich Dunkels. It’s also a great contrasting pairing for the venison stew we’re enjoying with it tonight.
Reviewed by mariposafan from Wisconsin
4.17/5 rDev +4.8%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.25
4.17/5 rDev +4.8%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.25
Reddish brown with a solid 3 finger head that lasts and laces. Smells sweet and malty, but little other character. Taste follows the aroma: sweet, malty but lacking other character that I was hoping for. Then again, very much to style. Feel is nice – nice body but a lot of carbonation to cut through it. Overall it’s a nice beer, but I might be measuring it against the Marzens I’ve been drinking lately and they have something else going for them.
Oct 14, 2023Reviewed by branko7 from Illinois
4.6/5 rDev +15.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
4.6/5 rDev +15.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
I love this beer, and this style. Malty, balanced, drinkable, tasty. Just enough hops to keep it balanced. Not overly roasted. I wish it were still the dominant style in Munich!
Jul 26, 2023
Ayinger Altbairisch Dunkel from Ayinger Privatbrauerei
Beer rating:
89 out of
100 with
1348 ratings
We love reviews (150 characters or more)! Check out: How to Review a Beer. You don't need to get fancy. Drop some thoughts on the beer's attributes (look, smell, taste, feel) plus your overall impression. Something that backs up your rating and helps others. Thanks!