Ayinger Altbairisch Dunkel - Privatbrauerei Franz Inselkammer KG / Brauerei Aying

BierReise

Florida

3.93/5  rDev -0.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Clear amber-brown ale with thick head that settles down quickly. Aroma is sweet malt with hints of plums, raisins and coffee. Smooth and medium bodied and slightly crisp. Flavor is highly malty and slightly sweet, fruity and nutty. I'm not a big fan of this style but this is really well done and I enjoyed it thoroughly.

Serving type: on-tap

07-22-2003 20:15:04 | More by BierReise

Mustard

District of Columbia

3.23/5  rDev -18.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Presentation: 17oz. brown bottle with no "bottled on" or "best by" date; $1.99 from Fireside Cellars in Santa Monica.

Appearance: Pours a ruddy brown with a fine, beige, two-fingered head; good retention; light, spattered, ring lacing.

Smell: Faint notes of toffee malt and ripe fruit.

Taste: Lightly sweet biscuity malt complimented by mild traces of earthy hops; roasted notes pervade. Nice, medium body.

Notes: Adequate. Certainly prefer Allgauer's Urbairisch Dunkel; not any better than Klosterbrauerei Weltenburg's Barock-Dunkel or Aktien-Brauerei Kaufbeuren's Frundsberg Dunkel.
 

Serving type: bottle

07-22-2003 05:54:25 | More by Mustard

Bruiser81

Kansas

3.65/5  rDev -7.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This beer was a deep mohagany color with an off white head, which didn't last for long. The beer is crystal clear when held to a light. The smell is a bit faint but consisted of dark fruit and strong roasted malt. The taste up front is a bit sweet with a strong malt presence. The finish is sweet, has sort of a dark fruit taste, almost like plum. I can't put my finger on it. The hops seem lacking but come through in the aftertaste a little bit. Mouthfeel is a bit sharp on the tongue with a medium body. A refreshing brew, and one I will drink again.

Serving type: bottle

07-20-2003 19:46:09 | More by Bruiser81

hotstuff

Indiana

3.58/5  rDev -9.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

When this beer was poured into my glass, it poured a large tan head with fine-small bubbles. The hue is reddish-brown and it has a caramel aroma to it. The lacing was fair on the sides of my glass. It had a hint of coffee in the taste. This was a decent Dunkel, but I have had better.

Serving type: bottle

07-09-2003 11:16:04 | More by hotstuff

beerguy101

California

3.8/5  rDev -4%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Dark Brown color, large head, malty aroma. The richly roasted malts are slightly sweet. Medium bodied. Slight hoppyness. Good balance. Mouthfeel is full and round. Finish is clean and some what dry. Aftertaste is malty. Very nice beer. Very drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

06-22-2003 09:21:08 | More by beerguy101

euskera

North Carolina

3.73/5  rDev -5.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured out a rich smoky brown with a medium sized head with plenty of staying power. Bright malty aroma. Taste is of caramel thought a bit sour on the edges. A slight alcohol feel at the very end. Smooth as silk going down. Nice tart aftertaste. A nice German brew when I'm not in the mood for a porter or stout. Will drink again easily...

Serving type: bottle

06-20-2003 13:18:52 | More by euskera

TheDM

Indiana

2.95/5  rDev -25.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

This brew poured a large head of fine to medium sized bubbles and a carbonated semi-transparent brown body. It has a mild malt aroma appropriate for a Dunkel. This brew is a bit on the fizzy side for a Dunkel. Its flavor is a bit burnt or roasted caramel and this with some spicey notes.

Serving type: bottle

06-15-2003 06:37:17 | More by TheDM

the42ndtourist

Ontario (Canada)

3.83/5  rDev -3.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Dunkel. Dark brown, some head but not a lot. Lots of malt. Typical flavours. Thoroughly average (am I just jaded by extremely flavourful beers??). Not bad at all, just not outstanding. I expected a little more from Ayinger.

Maybe this was affected by being drunk in the same week as Heritage's Traditional Dark and Liefman's Kriek. The more standard beer just didn't have a chance.

Serving type: bottle

06-11-2003 11:32:49 | More by the42ndtourist

Popsinc

Ontario (Canada)

3.43/5  rDev -13.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Redish/brown colour. Foamy head doesn't last too long. Slight maltiness in the nose. Lightly hopped. Hints of molasses & very light licorice with a pinch of caramel but yet not sweet at all. The finish is very mellow & starts to dry, almost disappearing too fast.

Serving type: bottle

05-13-2003 11:13:45 | More by Popsinc

Sigmund

Norway

4.1/5  rDev +3.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Reddish brown colour, good head. Moderate aroma of oak and caramel malts. Medium body, typical dunkel, some toffee flavour but not too sweet. Must be good with food. Lightly hopped, pleasant, easy drinking. Maybe not the greatest beer in the world, but impossible to dislike, if you like beer at all (which the other ratings prove).

Serving type: bottle

04-27-2003 15:14:37 | More by Sigmund

MJR

Missouri

4/5  rDev +1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance: Pours a reddish-amber body with perfect clarity. Lots of tiny bubbles race to the top of the glass. A light tan head starts out thick, then shrinks to a respectable cap. Fair amount of lacing on my glass.

Smell: Aroma of fresh malt with hints of caramel and a slight roasted character. There's a subdued fruitiness in there as well, but it's faint.

Taste: Very rich and malty with a slight bitterness. The flavor echoes the aroma with a dose of caramel, fruit, and roasted grain. Finishes with a bready note with a small burst of alcohol.

Mouthfeel: Thin in body with a crisp, dry mouthfeel. Finishes very clean.

Drinkability: Good stuff here. The thin body and mellow flavor profile make this a beer I could drink more then a few of.

Serving type: bottle

03-20-2003 16:09:39 | More by MJR

AudioGilz

Pennsylvania

4.2/5  rDev +6.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

It's clear dark brown/amber. A medium sized tan head forms and lasts a little while. The aroma is pretty much caramel maltiness. It's mellow and pleasing just like the flavor. Very malty this beer is, with no discernable hop character. VERY smooth, light carbonation. I really enjoyed this beer. It's light and slightly watery on the tongue, but I don't find that detracting here. I find it drinkable, very drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

03-19-2003 17:10:21 | More by AudioGilz

cretemixer

Indiana

4.35/5  rDev +9.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

This beer makes one think of fall. Auburn hues to match the leaves outside and a thick tan head that lasts and lasts. ( A portent of the snows to come?) Lace clinging to the glass like frost on the windows. Aromas of smoky deep roasted malts and fresh baked bread. My favorite tastes of Halloween--chocolate and toffee. Rich mouthfeel with medium carbonation. Enjoy this smoky brew in front of a roaring fire if you can.

Serving type: bottle

01-17-2003 05:37:17 | More by cretemixer

feloniousmonk

Minnesota

3.75/5  rDev -5.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Cream-colored head, dissolves quickly. Malt background prominent. Toffeeish sweetness, quick, but pleasing finish.Nutty flavors, coppery, metallic, even. Very little hoppiness, clean, simple. Dark lager isn't one of my favorite styles, but this has to be one the best.

Serving type: bottle

12-03-2002 14:07:09 | More by feloniousmonk

ipogios

Cyprus

3.48/5  rDev -12.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Pours a black colour topped by a thick creamy head that doesn't settle after the first few sips. Sweet malty aroma whith caramel hints. The mouthfeel is average though. This dark dunkel is an average brew tha its worth tasting

Serving type: bottle

12-01-2002 03:00:57 | More by ipogios

bditty187

Nebraska

4.05/5  rDev +2.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Dark, bloody ruby hue, a finger’s worth of fairly rocky tan head, respectable retention, fair lacing. Wonderful nose, caramely-sweet-fruity-candy… passionately delicious. Decent palate, solid malt foundation, mildly sweet, caramel, hints of hops bitterness, well-balanced, but… then… thin and slightly watery... the finish lacks substance. Mildly disappointing. This doesn’t mean that Altbairisch Dunkel isn’t worth drinking! Maybe I am being too picky… I’d still recommend trying one. Hell, overall, I am not complaining.

Re-reviewed on 03-03-03

Serving type: bottle

10-28-2002 14:23:46 | More by bditty187

NeroFiddled

Pennsylvania

4.4/5  rDev +11.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Fresh bottle. Pours a clear deep reddish/almost brown body with a firm, foamy tan head that holds well. The aroma offers a lightly nutty and toasty maltiness. The body is light with an exceptionally fine carbonation that leaves it creamy and silky smooth in the mouth.The flavor offers a rich maltiness that's clearly derived from Munich malt, and lightly toasty and cocoa-ish notes from deeply kilned dark malts. At times it can even be borderline chocolatey. The hop flavor is minimal, and the bitterness restrained, serving only to support the maltiness.

Serving type: bottle

10-24-2002 19:53:29 | More by NeroFiddled

BitteBier

Indiana

4.1/5  rDev +3.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Dark brown with hints of red on the margins. Pours with a foamy light brown head the gives way to a persistent fine lace over the top and particularly around the edge. Smell is distinctively sweet with tones that somehow recalls a Scotch ale. Taste is smooth and full, with bready, caramely sweetness. Full malty taste barely lets through any hints of hops or alcohol until the end. Very smooth mouthfeel that lingers a bit long. A really nice dark, malty beer.

Serving type: bottle

09-27-2002 19:43:05 | More by BitteBier

Murph

Arizona

4.33/5  rDev +9.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a beautiful clear brown color with a nice light brown head that slowly sinks. The brew gives off a pleasant aroma of biscuity chocolate and a slight bit of some earthy hops in the background can be noticed as well. The taste starts off with some fairly mellow, not overpowering, chocolatey malt tastes that share the space with a nice biscuity presence as well. The earthy noble hops are slightly more assertive in the taste and are perfectly balanced with the malt so as to not let the malt flavors get out of control. The brew is smooth but not too full in the mouth and remains rather refreshing for a darker/maltier brew. I really need to get to Germany so I can start sampling some of these when they are fresh. If they are this good here then I can't imagine how nice they would be when fresh on the other side of the pond.

Serving type: bottle

09-10-2002 11:52:47 | More by Murph

rastaman

United Kingdom (England)

3.5/5  rDev -11.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

An excellent little brew i think. Thin to medium body, light roasty/toasty malt flavours. Bit of chocolate and caramel in there aswell, a great session dunkel, in my opinion.

Serving type: bottle

08-11-2002 15:08:04 | More by rastaman

ryanocerus

Iowa

3.73/5  rDev -5.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Very thick creamy caramel head that stuck around for awhile. Dark ruby/near black color with good carbonation. Very sweet malty aroma which carries through into the flavor. There is a slight roasty undertone, but the malt overpowers it if cold. As it warms, the roasty and malty flavors balance a little better, but the mouthfeel is a bit thin. A very good dunkel.

Serving type: bottle

07-25-2002 09:34:51 | More by ryanocerus

Bierman9

New Hampshire

4.33/5  rDev +9.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A hard pour left this sucka with a real big, frothy head. It did thin down to a small, fine layer, and left a bit of lace. Color was an attractive, dark copper color. Wow - color! I have usually had this bier at Liebhards, the cheaper pub right across the street from the Aying Brauerei, and they always serve it in 1/2-liter crockery-type mugs - hence, no color! Nose had some malty sweetness and chocolate notes! Good body present, and nice tongue-work (sounds dirty!). Flavor shows some dark malt flavors, some chocolate again, and a hint of some fruity flavors thrown in for good measure. Nice bit of hops, in small doses, at the end for balance. Flavor improves with warmth. Looking forward to a mug of this under the chestnut trees in Aying with a plate of Rostbratwurst und Kraut! Prosit!!

overall: 4.25
appearance: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | mouthfeel: 4 | drinkability: 4.5

217

Serving type: bottle

06-23-2002 13:37:10 | More by Bierman9

oberon

North Carolina

4.3/5  rDev +8.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Nice color poured well,not overly sweet but just right.Really liked the caramelly aroma,one my favorite traditional Bavarian darks.

Serving type: bottle

06-13-2002 07:41:54 | More by oberon

Jason

Massachusetts

3.9/5  rDev -1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Presentation: 17 oz euro brown bottle with no freshness date.

Appearance: Dark brown in colour with a heavy creamed coffee coloured head that retains quite well.

Smell: Sweet toffee, caramel, light ripe fruit and hints of coffee.

Taste: Warming and chewy toasted bready malt with slight caramel and a trace fruitiness are the forefront of this brew. A touch of hop bitterness barely dents the big malt profile. A thin coffeeish finish in the end with a touch more toasted malt.

Notes: "Old Bavarian Dark Beer" is what Altbairisch Dunkel translates into. This beer is just chock-full of malt, the model dark lager for brewers to mold from. Absolutely Superb!

Serving type: bottle

06-11-2002 18:39:04 | More by Jason

jreitman

California

4.35/5  rDev +9.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Clear mahogany color with light tan head. Slightly bitter but nicely malty as well. Extremely well balanced. After drinking the heineken dark in the same session, I was worried that I was not going to like the style, but the Altbairisch proved to be a wonderful beer. Dark fruit and sweetness came across in nose and flavor. Finished s little bitter. Very nice.

Serving type: bottle

04-21-2002 08:06:41 | More by jreitman