Hofbräu Dunkel - Hofbräuhaus München

shigg85

Japan

3.88/5  rDev +3.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Had this on tap at Kaizerhof in Yurakucho, Tokyo. Poured into a glass stein. As a German dunkel on tap, I was hoping for a bit more from this. It was a decent brown lager, but lacking a bit in appearance and smell. Perhaps from a bad pour (although I can't think so because the guys at Kaiserhof were pretty pro), but I found it just sitting in a foamless, bodiless state without much aroma of anything but a bit of roasted malts. The taste was decent enough, and I would drink it for fun, but not much to write about here. Good, but not amazing.

Serving type: on-tap

07-02-2012 01:00:02 | More by shigg85

Megahertz

Missouri

4.58/5  rDev +21.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

11.2oz Green bottle into a shaker. Why green, hofbrau? Why? My beer store has UV filters, but still, they only work so well, and even then, we don't know how it was handled before they get it...

A - Crystal clear brown with a massive off-white head that forms a nice, close pillow. Lots of lacing.

S - Slightly chocolatey with an herbal background. Very pleasant.

T - Smooth, doughy malt sweetness with a dark caramel note. Very light herbal hop flavor noted.

M - Light bodied with low to medium carbonation.

O - Wow, could I put down a few of these. They sure know how to do lagers in Munich.

Serving type: bottle

06-05-2012 21:49:23 | More by Megahertz

BeardedBoffin

Minnesota

4.08/5  rDev +8.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

The brew pours from the green bottle a deep copper, caramel color with a few centimeters of dishwater foam. In-depth malty aroma mixes with freshly toasted, almost nutty, character. That strong malt dominates the flavor--toasted malt to biscuit. The hops raises its head toward the end to provide a nice balance. This is a smooth and tasty brew.

Serving type: bottle

05-01-2012 23:55:37 | More by BeardedBoffin

StonedTrippin

Colorado

3.65/5  rDev -2.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

had this one at the hofbrau house in las vegas. pours a thin dark brown color with a 4 inch foamy white head into a solid liter glass. the appearance in this presentation makes the beer for me. the beer itself however, is lackluster. smells like german malts sure, maybe a touch of brown sugar and yeast as well, but nothing particular arousing here. flavor is a standard dunkel, smooth and drinkable for a darker beer. plenty of roast on the malt profile, and a bready/doughy finish makes this one feel like breakfast for me. feel is fine, mellow bubbles and a medium body. i could hammer these, and i think thats the point. the atmosphere of the pub and the good traditional bavarian grub made this beer seem better than it really is, but still its one ive come to appreciate.

Serving type: on-tap

04-24-2012 23:59:31 | More by StonedTrippin

UCLABrewN84

California

3.65/5  rDev -2.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Pours a clear dark orange with a 1/2 inch foamy khaki head that settles to an oily film on top of the beer. Small streaks and dots of lace form around the glass on the drink down. Smell is of dark malt and some slight caramel aromas. Taste is slightly sour with some dark malt, bread, and caramel flavors. This beer has a good level of carbonation with a crisp mouthfeel. Overall, this is a pretty good beer but I think this one smells better than it tastes.

Serving type: bottle

04-13-2012 01:13:15 | More by UCLABrewN84

RodneyFarva

Spain

3.68/5  rDev -2.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

500ml bottle poured into a Paulaner stein

a: pours a deep brown/ruby color, two finger head quickly dissipates to a thin film. not much lacing going on.

s: some roasted malts, a bit of hops, maybe some honey sweetness, but nothing much else.

t: starts with a strong roasted malt flavor, some hints of honey and spices, and ends with a strong kick of hops bite and carbonation. really nice.

o: a lot more complex than most munich dunkels - quite nice - and I liked the contrast of dark malts and hops.

Serving type: bottle

03-14-2012 19:59:10 | More by RodneyFarva

mikeg67

New Jersey

4.05/5  rDev +7.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

On tap at Rosie’s Wine bar. Pours ruby with a long lasting white head. Aroma is of grain, toffee and honey. Medium, slightly crisp body. Toffee toasted malt, noble hops and some cloves combine on the palate for a clean, fresh taste. Long hoppy finish is supported by sweet malt. This is a world-class dunkel.

Serving type: on-tap

02-15-2012 16:21:47 | More by mikeg67

Sharkophile

New York

3.78/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Had this on two occasions during the Superbowl, once with steak and salsa verde and once by itself. (Very good pairing in case anyone is wondering) Poured into a Hofbrau Stein glass and appears brown with some reddish hues in the light, and a large off-white head that dissipates quickly and hardly leaves any lacing.

S: Aroma's quite restrained, but with pleasant roasted malts and a touch of hops.

T: Taste is much more rich and complex than the nose would suggest, with caramel, dark fruit (date, raisin), carob which fades to some spicy, herbal hops and alcohol for a lingering, dry, slightly roasty finish.

M: Medium body with quite alot of carbonation, which has pretty fluffy texture. Lends the flavors some subtlety. Very nice.

O: A very good Munich Dunkel. Nothing's really in your face, but everything is balanced impeccably.

Serving type: bottle

02-07-2012 05:22:03 | More by Sharkophile

KarlHungus

Minnesota

4/5  rDev +6.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This beer pours a clear ruby color. The head is one inch of off white foam that recedes slowly into nice lacing. The aroma is of caramel, and toffee with some nice fruity and floral notes. The taste is similar to the aroma with a clean refreshing finish. The mouthfeel is slightly lighter than medium bodied with moderate carbonation, and a velvety texture. Overall, this is a good dunkel that I would drink again.

Serving type: bottle

01-10-2012 02:39:14 | More by KarlHungus

eric5bellies

Australia

3.45/5  rDev -8.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Drank from my Erdinger Weizen glass.

A - Pours a clear deep Mahogany colour with a tanned head that retains well and laces.

S - Aromas are sweet, with some caramel and a little fruit.

T - Lots of honey up front, followed by bread and yeast, the finish os dry and a little bitter.

M - Medium body and carbonation.

O - Not a bad Dunkel and worth a try.

Serving type: bottle

01-08-2012 15:45:04 | More by eric5bellies

NuclearDolphin

Minnesota

3.88/5  rDev +3.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured into a 16oz Pint Glass

Appearance - Dark Brown color with a very clear/transparent look with minor carbonation. Head is fairly foamy, slightly brown and pours a 2 finger width.

Smell - Sweet Caramel along with some roasted malts. There's also some yeast and bready smells in here too, but there's also a slight buttery scent to it as well.

Taste - Surprisingly sweet Toffee/Caramel flavoring with a very buttery flavor surrounding it. The roasted malts here are also fairly prevalent. Interesting combination, but it works really well!

Mouthfeel - It's a light in body and the carbonation is pretty good as well, so it's pretty easy to drink. It's not quite what you would call creamy, but it still is an easy drinker!

Overall - It's not what you would call complex in flavor, but it tastes great and it's very easy to drink! What more could you ask for?

Serving type: bottle

01-08-2012 05:10:54 | More by NuclearDolphin

eduardolinhalis

Switzerland

3.78/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

500ml bottle poured in a mug.

A: Pours a deep amber clear color. Forms a big tanned and bubbled head. Good retention and many lacings left

S: Smell is sweet and malty. Caramel malts. Yeasts. Very honey. Bit of citrus hops in the end.

T: Honey bomb. Caramel and caramel malts, roasted malts, yeasts and flowery hops. Dry taste, nevertheless. Very mild bitter aftertaste

M: Medium body. Medium carbonation

O: Good drinkability. Good beer. Hofbräu usual quality

Serving type: bottle

01-03-2012 11:39:25 | More by eduardolinhalis

garymuchow

Minnesota

4.08/5  rDev +8.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Nice rich malt character with a darker caramelized quality and toffee. Very slight yeast note.
Very attractive. Brilliantly clear brown with red highlights. Tan head that settles slowly and leaves nice lacing.
Ahhh, very German in taste. Still with the richness of malt. Less sweet than what the aroma may have anticipated. Hints of hop flavor and medium length on the finish.
Classic lager feel with a slight increase in body. Very clean in character and perfectly carbonated.
Boy, good lagers can really be under appreciated. This is nice. I'd take a fresh one (stupid green bottles, why would they do that) every time.
Many thanks Todd.

Serving type: bottle

01-01-2012 19:19:37 | More by garymuchow

Paincane

Georgia

4.05/5  rDev +7.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A: Dark brown pour into 1L dimpled Hofbrauhaus mug in Munich. Produces a tan head with a moderate amount of lacing.
S: Aromas of roasted malt and barley.
T: Roasted malt, caramel and slight toffee flkavors are present.
M: Medium-full bodied with mild carbonation.
O: It does not get any better than enjoying a liter of a great Dunkel with the HB Wurst platter and sauerkraut. This was a definite must while visiting Munich. Very glad I did it and would enjoy another.

Serving type: on-tap

12-22-2011 21:16:13 | More by Paincane

BelgiumBill

Virginia

3.53/5  rDev -6.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Medium brown with amber and ruby highlights topped by a vanishing canvas colored head.

Smelled of sweet malts, grain, rice.

Rich and malty with nice caramel sweetness, grains.

Low carbonation with a quick clean finish. A hint of bite at the end.

Overall a solid, highly drinkable brew that was a good match for my turkey sandwich.

Serving type: bottle

12-20-2011 18:34:26 | More by BelgiumBill

StoneBrewFanatic

Virginia

3.53/5  rDev -6.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A - Pours deep copper with a red hue into my snifter with two fingers of off white head, moderate retention and minimal lacing.

S - Grain/bread malts, caramel, molasses and mild dark fruit.

T - Less sweet than anticipated, grainy, bead malts, mild caramel, rather bitter from start to finish and at the end the malts make their presence known again.

M - Feels kind of thin and over carbonated.

O - Easy to drink, nothing too exciting though.

Serving type: bottle

11-28-2011 22:20:04 | More by StoneBrewFanatic

soju6

Missouri

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

A: Pours a crystal clear mahogany color with a good head that fades to nice lacing.

S: Aroma of roasted malt and caramel with a hint of fresh grain.

T: Has a taste of roasted malt, with caramel and nuts. Mild bitterness and a dry finish.

F: medium body, crisp and smooth. Well balanced.

Goes down easy, nice representation of the style.

Serving type: bottle

11-25-2011 12:50:37 | More by soju6

RepMichigan

Michigan

3.65/5  rDev -2.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

drank from a 12oz bottle

A: dark almost black

Smell: smells a little skunky, not in a bad way but how all HB smells to me, i enjoy it

Taste: taste like a dark beer, a little generic. Smoky and a little bit of malt to it. very nice taste

Mouthfeel: good carbonation, goes down smoothly

Overall: a great beer not very complex but enjoyable simple

Serving type: bottle

11-24-2011 21:01:40 | More by RepMichigan

Halcyondays

California

4.05/5  rDev +7.7%
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

11.2 oz. bottle,

A: Pours a clear brown with a medium white head, solid retention.

S: Nice slightly roasted smell, with fresh bread, bordering on dopplebock. Best after it warms up a bit.

T: Has some minerality upfront with a classic malt profile in this style. Tasty.

M: Light-bodied, crisp biting carbonation. Smooth, clean finish.

O: This was a nice find in the import section. Glad it wasn't skunked. Well worth a pick up at $1.59 a bottle.

Serving type: bottle

11-20-2011 03:44:05 | More by Halcyondays

B967ierhunter177

Pennsylvania

2.33/5  rDev -38%
look: 3 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

This beer pours a clear, dark amber with 3/4 inch head and lasting lace. The aroma is a bit skunked with some caramel, and sweet roasted malt. The flavor is of caramel, root beer barrel candy, grass and a hop tang in the finish. The mouthfeel is light-medium, a bit sticky. Hofbrau Dunkel is an average beer, recommended.

Serving type: bottle

11-17-2011 01:16:30 | More by B967ierhunter177

skypup

Germany

4.03/5  rDev +7.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On Tap from BH Haus brewery in Munich.

A- Clear, deep brown, with a thick fluffy head, good retention and lots of lacing.

S- Roasted malts, some hints of toffee.

T- Roasted malts, toffee, cereal grain (like malt o meal), and mellowed to a nice balance of bitterness with very little hoppines.

M- mild bodied for a dunkel.

D- Great beer, tried one and then had to have a Mass just to make sure I liked it. Enjoyed with a pork knuckle.

Serving type: on-tap

10-30-2011 08:35:00 | More by skypup

schoolboy

Ohio

4.18/5  rDev +11.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

I was in Bavaria last when I was 13, in 1970. I drank a few beers then but I have no idea what they were. I would like to think this was one of them. This is a beautiful beer, sitting in the glas and smelling nice too.

It tastes as good as it looks. A malty, hoppy pleasure. It makes me REALLY want to go back to gGermany and visit my grandfather's grave.

Serving type: bottle

10-22-2011 18:45:03 | More by schoolboy

EpicWI

Wisconsin

4.33/5  rDev +15.2%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

A. Poured from a 330ml bottle into a glass stein. 2+ fingers of a light tan foam that quickly dissipates. Clear deep reddish brown.

S. Heavy malts, with caramel and yeast coming through.

T. Earthy and malty, with a pleasant sweetness that tapers to a slight bitterness at the back of the throat. Smooth, but smoothness broken by slightly heavy handed carbonation.

M. Has the light to moderate yet still slightly chewy body distinctive in the Bavarian lagers.

O. A great beer, on of my favorites. I think it's mildly over carbonated, but forgivably so. About as good as it gets in this style.

On a side note, this one of my favorites all around, and also my "go to" choice whenever cooking a recipe that calls for an unspecified style of beer.

Serving type: bottle

10-21-2011 00:08:14 | More by EpicWI

DCon

Missouri

4.15/5  rDev +10.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

For my 400th Review, I am dedicating this one to the Hofbrau Dunkel I just enjoyed on Sunday @ the St. Charles Oktoberfest off of Main Street (St. Charles), MO for $14. Tapped from the Blue/White Checkered Tap Handle w/ Hofbrau Dunkel written in white on it into a 1Litre Hofbrau Oktoberfest Plastic Stein. Enjoyed only one of these but could have had many more.

Aroma- Has a very rich malt and strong caramel aroma. Can tell it is going to be an extremely sweet taste and clean brew as well.

Appearance- Received with a 1 finger head that has decent retention (hard to judge when its is a 1Litre glass). Has a deep copper/amber color body with a nice red tint to it. Minimal lacing on the Stein.

Flavor- Very strong Munich malt taste with this caramel flavor dominating the entire drink. Very low hops are present but does have a light bitterness. Tastes like a clean lager that is enjoyed at the Kerwe.

Mouthfeel- Medium Bodied, Light-Medium Carbonation, Smooth, and leaves an awesome caramel flavor on the tongue.

Overall Impression- While not being @ an Oktoberfest/ Kerwe Festival since Fall 2009, this brew brought back memories and also is my favorite from Hofbrau! Most their biers are pretty average and spot on with characteristics, but this ones flavor was over the top and enjoyed every last drop out of this Litre. What will be #500 for me? Who knows...

Serving type: on-tap

09-28-2011 16:00:20 | More by DCon

Flounder57

Massachusetts

3.9/5  rDev +3.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

11.2 oz bottle poured into a pint glass. Reminds me of the huge Dunkel I had at the Hofbrauhaus in the Southside of Pittsburgh.

Appearance: A little bit head that has reduced to a thin layer and has left some lacing on the glass. A nice amber/mohogany color with good signs of carbonation.

Smell: Very malty sweetness good with no hop aromas. A little grainy too.

Taste: Sweet caramel malts and a little bitterness.

Mouthfeel: Easy drinking, smooth, a little chewy, and a decent amount of carbonation for this nice dunkel.

Overall: Just like I had in Pittsburgh, this dunkel is delicious. Now all I have to do is go to Munich so I can order a few liters or drink out of the boot.

Serving type: bottle

09-25-2011 18:05:40 | More by Flounder57