König Ludwig Dunkel - Kaltenberg International / König Ludwig International GmbH & Co.KG

Douberd

Netherlands

3.35/5  rDev -10.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Long neck brown bottle, 330 ml, bought in Germany. Poured into a lager glass at home. ABV 5,1%.

Dark brown colour on the body, with lots of activity in it. Two fingers of off-white, creamy head with good retention.. After a bit most of the foam disappears, becoming a thick film covering the beer's surface.
Very nice aroma of roasted malts, along with some chocolate.
Taste follos the nose. Roasted malts, some caramel too now and the chocolate flavour more obvious on the finish, giving this beer a nice bitter aftertaste.
Thin to medium on the body, light carbonation and a long dry finish.
Overall a good session dunkel.

Serving type: bottle

01-14-2013 17:45:13 | More by Douberd

sDon

3.84/5  rDev +2.7%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This is a solid Dunkel. There is a little foam, not too much carbonation, and a nice taste -- dark chocolate and coffee but not sweet or bitter. No alcohol detected (at least for me) and it is very drinkable.

At the same time, there is not as much going on in this beer in terms of taste as some other Dunkels: cf. Augustiner Dunkles beer, even Hacker Pschorr Dunkles, which has a more refreshing and satisfying flavor. A clear finish, but with not much to make you remember it.

Serving type: bottle

01-11-2013 23:59:33 | More by sDon

Tomais

Germany

3.75/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pilsner glass

Huge bubbles, frothy off-white head. Reminded me of sea froth after a storm on the beach.. Recedes fairly quick. Little lacing. Looks a like a dark red-lemonade against the light, otherwise a very clear mohogany brown.

Smells malty alcoholic sweet and bitter. Not burnt, but not far off - well toasted I guess.
A little bit of toffee or caramel hard-roasted on the baking tray.

There's a good balance between the initial fruity malt, with the hops -and some bitterness- in the background. Malty again on swallowing. Nice flush of carbonation with the malt,
Tastes good, but it doesnt quite live up to the more complex smell.

Very drinkable - with snow outside at any rate ;-)
BB 25 06 2013

Serving type: bottle

10-29-2012 19:22:36 | More by Tomais

karait95

Mexico

3.63/5  rDev -2.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A: color is dark reddish, head is not so big so retention is almost not present. Carbonation is also low bit a small layer keeps on top of the beer.

S: not very intense, some toasted malts are present after smelling a lot, not much is clearly noticed.

T: flavor is good,toasted malts are present again but this time flavor is intense not as faint as aroma.

M: refresh and balanced, more a neutral beer than a changing sensation all the time has little sweetness and little bitterness.

A beer just a little above average.

Serving type: bottle

10-08-2012 03:34:33 | More by karait95

rarbring

Sweden

3.35/5  rDev -10.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A clear brown red hinted brew, a tan head with little lacing but some curtains.

Smelling caramel, bread and some soy sauce.

Sweet brown bread, caramel, dried red fruits, honey. Some bitter (rye) bread crust.

Little carbonation, soft and smooth, a small body, a slightly dry finish.

A light rather airy beer, with a short impression.

Serving type: bottle

08-04-2012 19:27:12 | More by rarbring

Hoppsbabo

United Kingdom (England)

4/5  rDev +7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Smell: Malt, malt and more malt, as malty as you like.

Appearance: A very noisy, light mushroom coloured two-finger head which dissipates slowly. Translucent mahogany body, absolutely no bubbles.

Taste: The aroma is misleading. From the first swig I get a complex symphony of roasted malt and honey, and maybe some citrus. A lovely lager. Despite the lack of bubbles it's quite fizzy but probably just right though. It's metallic but not detrimentally so. Okay, just been for a whizz and a most intriguing aroma has developed in my mouth, like a woody sauna aroma, or maybe walnut with a hint of brandy. Complex - nice.

Overall: There's a place for everything and this lager is in its place. I was very put off by its harsh roasted malt nose but that's because I'm a hops man. But a good beer is a good beer, and this is a bloody good beer. I'd have it again, no troubles.

Serving type: bottle

02-20-2012 16:02:59 | More by Hoppsbabo

bigrzman

Pennsylvania

4.15/5  rDev +11%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

This beer has a mohogany color with a thin white head. Carbonation is tight and small. Smells include earthy hops and caramel malts. the taste is complex with toasted malts, chocolate, almonds, and earthy/medicinal hop bite. mouthfeel is balanced for malts and hops, slightly creamy and silky, and tinfling amd slightly drying. Overall this is a very good dunkle.

Serving type: bottle

01-17-2012 11:37:32 | More by bigrzman

flyingpig

United Kingdom (Scotland)

4.15/5  rDev +11%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Dark brown, huge brownish-white creamy head, good retention.

Mix of roasted malts and a sweet nutty, chocolate aroma along with hints of caramel.

Roasted malts and rich nutty flavour with sweet malts & chocolate at the back.

Smooth with a medium body & very refreshing. Good carbonation.

An excellent beer & up there with the best dunkels I have tried thus far. Rich & creamy, real easy to drink.

This is 1 of 1001 beers to try before you die:
http://abarwithnoname.wordpress.com

Serving type: bottle

06-14-2011 00:18:14 | More by flyingpig

kojevergas

California

3.75/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Served on draught into a Konig Ludwig Dunkel .3L glass in Berlin, Germany.

A: Pours a dark brown colour with a lovely head of moderate cream and fair retention. Appealing.

Sm: Light scent of treated barley, very hoppy but subtle. Maybe some chocolate.

T: Chocolate and cream on open to balanced build of hops with a creamy finish. Rather nice. The cream is balanced on either side of the body yet the chocolate bleeds into the body, a very nice effect in a dunkel.

Mf: Silky but not too dry or wet. Glides along the tongue like a hydroplaning tyre. Quite fantastic. Dry on the open, but not overdone.

Dr: If the open wasn't so dry, I could down pint after pint, but this beer doesn't go for repeated session style drinking; it's meant to be enjoyed. Give it a go, lads.

Serving type: on-tap

03-10-2011 21:20:37 | More by kojevergas

spointon

Illinois

4/5  rDev +7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A friend brought me this bottle (and others) straight from Germany in his suitcase. Poured from a 500ml brown bottle into a clear mug.

A= This beer poured a deep blackish brown with a creamy white 1" head. The eventually head dropped to a skim that left some decent lace on my glass.

S= Aroma was light roast, malty sweetness, dark fruit.

T= Started off sweet and dark-malty with a kiss off roasted malt to take the edge off. Not cloying in any way but certainly balanced toward the sweeter side of things. Light noble hop detectable but faint through the middle. Finished pretty clean and refreshing.

MF= Medium body with a nice spritzy carbonation and prickly feel.

D= As far as I know this was only my third Dunkel beer and I liked it a lot. Very drinkable and pretty refreshing, though I wouldn't want one on a 90 degree day. Would pair exceptionally well with a steak or with smoked meats.

Serving type: bottle

03-09-2011 07:20:54 | More by spointon

Theicon44

North Carolina

4.28/5  rDev +14.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

KLD (Konig Ludwig Dunkel is just too much to type...) is typical of dark wheat beer, but certainly better than most in all respects. It's taste hints of caramel, molasses and honey but neither flavor is overpowering, nor do they detract from KLD's surprisingly easy drinkability. I first tried it in the tourist town of Rudisheim on the Rhine river. I was immediately impressed with the beer's taste - far and away the best dunkelweiss I have ever had - but was later even more impressed at how un-filling and light KLD was for a typically heavy style of beer. I'm sure the calorie count doesn't reflect this, however, even if they do go down like a domestic light.

Serving type: bottle

03-01-2011 16:10:47 | More by Theicon44

rtepiak

Poland

3.65/5  rDev -2.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

an extremely well place leanness to this dunkel which makes it, in this case, susceptible to aging conflicts. this beer was a bit metalic but not overpoweringly so. malt is toasty perfect with a subtle sour apple. a one dimensional toasty. not sweet. and somewhat appetite inducing.

Serving type: bottle

02-26-2011 23:57:08 | More by rtepiak

jneiswender

Massachusetts

3.85/5  rDev +2.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Had on draft at a restaurant near Neauschwanstein Castle. Served in a half liter mug cool.

A-dark brown gem body, off white head.

S-creamy smell.

T-cereal, jolly rancher, raisin, just enough floral hop for balance.

M-medium to full

D-very nice beer. Nice with food. Not outstanding but very good. I would drink this beer again.

Serving type: on-tap

08-10-2010 16:55:03 | More by jneiswender

jmhart

Georgia

3.3/5  rDev -11.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

On tap with dinner in Aachen.

A- Came out a DARK brown with a white head that faded into nearly nothing. It didn't appear as thick as I would have assumed.

S- Rich roasted malt flavors: caramel, prunes, a little nutty.

T- A kind of surprising sweetness hits first, a little sweeter than others I had on my trip. Underneath the flavor were some nice stewed dark fruits like prunes/raisins. Caramel and nuts complemented the fruit. If anything, the sweetness kind of covered up the other flavors.

M- Relative to the style, it was pretty light bodied without much carbonation or bite. Overall, I felt the mouthfeel was lacking.

D- The sweetness was a bit much for being so light bodied which made it a little difficult to finish.

Overall, not the best dunkel I had while touring Germany. It was nice to broaden my experience with the style, but I would be unlikely to purchase this again.

Serving type: on-tap

06-21-2010 00:02:01 | More by jmhart

RuudJH

Netherlands

3.65/5  rDev -2.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

0.5 l bottle encounter with a dark German lager.

Dark ruby colour, soapy head that hangs in, not much carbonation.

Smell is a bit like a lager, but with roasty notes. It has hops and yeast.
Taste is equal: roasty character is a bit faint. Hops and yeast have to work hard to get through. There's a balanced aftertaste of bitterness and sweet malts.

Mouthfeel is light. I could do with a bit more bubbles.
All in all an ok experience. A dark beer is often good with some food.
Have some bread with cheese or sausage with this.

Serving type: bottle

06-11-2010 14:32:17 | More by RuudJH

feloniousmonk

Minnesota

4.1/5  rDev +9.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Clear, cola brown appearance, big, booming, beige head.

Aroma: caramel and toffee, sweet malt, but well tempered.

Taste: Smooth and malty, caramel and toffee all over the palate, minimal hops, great texture, tons of tastiness going on.
Medium bodied...supremely drinkable dunkel, not lacking in any way, good texture, great play on the palate. Leaves you asking for more and more.

This will go down in history, not as the best beer I've had, or even the best dunkel, but the beer my friend/customer David brought back for me from Deutschland....after having a stroke!!! Who does that? What, A, man!

Serving type: bottle

06-07-2010 09:09:06 | More by feloniousmonk

Brabander

Netherlands

3.75/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Bought this beer last week in Germany with many other beers. I didn't know this beer so i tried it. Poured in a dutch beerglas the head is very nice and big with almost no lacing.

The beer itself is darkamber, not brown. I could smell some caramel and coffee. Very little carbonation.

For a dunkel beer the beer is not that dark,nice to drink.

Serving type: bottle

04-23-2010 21:10:56 | More by Brabander

soju6

Missouri

3.85/5  rDev +2.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Beer is a nice mahogany brown with a good head and light carbonation. The smell is like roasted caramel, sort of sweet. The taste is a bit sweet with a bitterness. It has a balanced flavor with a medium body that is smooth and easy to drink. This is a drinkable brew which seems to go best with food.

Serving type: bottle

04-18-2010 12:08:57 | More by soju6

sunrisesolara

Austria

3.68/5  rDev -1.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

.5L emptied into a Pokal.

A: Pours a deep mahogany with a fluffy 2-finger tan head which receeds to a thick ring. Good lacing throughout.

S: Roasted barley malt, bread, dark chocolate, faint hint of almonds.

M: Light-to-medium bodied with decent carbonation.

T: Very malty, caramel. Earthy hops are quite reserved, with just enough spice to make their presence known. Lemon zest at the end, finishes clean with a lingering nutty aftertaste.

D: Certainly goes down quickly and without any fuss. Not the best Dunkel out there, but this would certainly make a good session beer.

Serving type: bottle

04-16-2010 14:53:37 | More by sunrisesolara

mwagner1018

Minnesota

3.93/5  rDev +5.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Reviewed from a recent trip to Germany.

A- Deep dark brown, light creamy head, thin very minimal lacing.

S- Caramel, mild cocoa bitterness, malt, bourbon vanilla, raisin or dates.

T- Sweet up front, nice malt, clean progression to deep dark fruits, raisin-plum, mild bitterness from the noble hops. Nice deep complexity.

M- Light to Mild Medium body, carbonation delivers, fits style, smooth creaminess, nice light balanced bitterness.

D- Good Bavarian style dunkel, nice balance, clean, fits nicely with the style, rich and nicely aromatic, but lacks in the full flavor, have had better more complex examples.

Serving type: bottle

02-21-2010 01:23:30 | More by mwagner1018

Travlr

District of Columbia

3.95/5  rDev +5.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A: Dark chestnut brown with a thin tan head and moderate lacing.
S: Dark fruit aroma with malt and caramel, some vanilla.
T: Flavor starts with sweet malt and progresses to plums and dates, slight bitter finish.
M: Slightly on the thin side, consistent with the style.
D: Good example of a dunkel, nice enough, but not outstanding.

Serving type: on-tap

01-03-2010 17:03:38 | More by Travlr

mdagnew

United Kingdom (Northern Ireland)

4.2/5  rDev +12.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

500ml bottle bought online from Beersofeurope.co.uk

Poured a deep dark burgundy red... Creamy tan head poured quite thick then faded fairly quickly to very thin layer... A fair amount of carbonation drifts to the surface... no real lacing...

Aroma - Roasted biscuity malts, toffee / brown sugar sweetness, dark fruits (plums, blackcurrents, some figs), faint smokiness, nutty, peppery hops, some bready / malt loaf notes...

Taste - Nice toasted bready notes, biscuity maltiness, quite tart dark fruits (definite plums and blackcurrents, some apples and strawberries), definite nutty sweetness, molasses / treacle notes, spicy / peppery hops just coming through the maltiness...

Feel - Quite smooth then some sharpness comes through... medium bodied... very drinkable - could have a few of these in one sitting...

Overall - An excellent example of a Dunkel and supremely quaffable... recommended...

Serving type: bottle

12-24-2009 13:34:51 | More by mdagnew

czfreeman

Michigan

4/5  rDev +7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Konig Ludwig Dunkel pours a medium brown, light ruby tones around the corners of the glass. The bier really produces quite a lovely head, light tan rocky, riaing out of the top of my glass, nice lacing.
Aromas of light smoky wood-like notes,brown sugar-maltiness, light figginess, raisin, digging a bit past the initial sweetness, light mineral-like bitterness and a touch of peppery spice. alls finished with a slight bitter hop bite that finishs the beer cleanly, however a bit watery and not quite as full or "musty" as other examples I have recently tried.
Flavor is light, clean and not sweet in the least. Like a very light English mild ale, medium carbonation, smooth malt sweetness, light smoky tobacco like mustiness,slightly sweet caramel, chocolate, toast, and a light nuttiness.
Wheras it sems mot people immediatly write this beer and others of the style based on reading previous reviews, upon a little R&D of the style and why it is a light beer, this beer really fits the tee of a dark colored, yet light bodied and highly drinkable brew.
I find myself liking this more as subsequent sips follow, the light body and slighty sweet nutty character would play really well against a spelt encrusted seared venison loin, with a barley risotto and porcini mushrooms to complement the nutty character of the brew. Well crafted, and I look foward to trying it again.

Serving type: on-tap

10-30-2009 19:53:09 | More by czfreeman

engisch

New Jersey

3.5/5  rDev -6.4%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This beer pours weird. It has a carmel brown color, but it pours with a thick head and has bubbles that coat the inside of the glass. The smell and aroma is nothing special and is of sweet malts.

The taste is that of a typical dunkel style. It's a good balanced beer. It has nice lacing all the way down to the last sip.

Overall, if you are looking for a decent beer, this is a safe tastey dunkel.

Serving type: bottle

07-30-2009 18:03:23 | More by engisch

jbro434

Switzerland

3.25/5  rDev -13.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Nice deep brown with a decent off white head that faded quickly with decent lacing. Malty and slightly sweet, nothing in the upfront taste to offend. Mouthfeel was pretty much the same with hints of chocolate, a bit thin. Finish was bitersweet chocolate nothing overpowering, nothing to make it very memorable either. All in all, a decent beer for the type and nothing I would turn down or try again if given the chance.

Serving type: bottle

06-29-2009 08:23:26 | More by jbro434