Hopf Dunkle Weisse

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 7 | Mouthfeel: 8 | Flavor: 7 | Overall: 7

Well carbonated, an easy pour produces an initially three-finger thick, amber-tinged, tan colored head that rests on top of a murky, dark, brownish, concentrated amber colored brew. When held up to the light the beer shows tons of carbonation bubbles as well as a hazy, ruby hue and the head even leaves some spotty lacing as it subsides, but never dissipates. Appetizing aromatic notes of bananas, pear, definite clove and a touch of juicy-fruit are noticed up front. After resting a bit a distinct, sweet, cooked apple notes becomes quite noticeable. Behind these notes is a crusty, toasted bread note, browned-crushed soda crackers and a touch of grassy wheat. I am quite surprised how distinctly fruity this is; it is nice, but a bit atypical.

Soft and creamy feeling up front, but the biting, zippy carbonation soon kicks in and keeps this fairly light as it flows across the palate. The beer is fairly dry, especially for a Dunkle, but does this without coming off as thin. Lightly tart as wheat beers often are, this accentuates an apple like fruit note as well as a touch of apricots. This fruitiness is not as distinct as the aroma was. The beer finishes with a characteristic phenolic character reminiscent of cloves; it is actually a bit spicy when coupled with the zesty carbonation. Also in the finish is a dusty, slightly grassy malt / grain character that is pretty nice, though hard to notice at times. There is also a touch of toasted malt character in the long finish.

As the beer warms a bit a touch of dusty cocoa flavors start to come out, but only just a hint. This is a tasty Dunkle Weizen; it is not a prototypical example, but I like that balance it strikes between fruit & phenolics. Definitely an enjoyable brew. The tartness makes this quite easy drinking.

Purchased: Plaza Liquors, Tucson, AZ

Aroma: 7 | Appearance: 7 | Mouthfeel: 7 | Flavor: 7 | Overall: 8

This beer really struck a chord with me. I really wasn't sure what to expect going in to this, but in the end I was pleasantly surprised. The aroma was chocolate covered cherries/raisins, carmelized bananas and a touch of brown sugar. Appearance is chocolatey brown in color with a smallish, off-white creamy head. My first thoughts on the taste was metal. After it warmed up a bit, more of the fruity esthers came out, a touch of wheat. Caramel bananas tied it all together. Really an easy drinking wheat beer.

Aroma: 7 | Appearance: 7 | Mouthfeel: 8 | Flavor: 8 | Overall: 7

I've been working on trying to broaden my horizons a bit lately, and partially on a whim picked up four different 500mL German Dunkleweizen's. Not only to make myself appreciate less hoppy styles of beer, but to make drinking a huge IPA or two later on seem like a reward....! ;)

Anyway, first of this flight of Dunkle's is Hopf's offering. Deep brown appearence, with a nice airy aroma. Not as dark and as dank as I seem to remember from this style -- in fact, pretty tasty. I know it really should not be hoppy (per the BJCP style guidelines), but I kept wondering what this would be like with a solid dry-hopping of Spalt or Saaz (the homebrewer in me..., always thinking ahead). Either way, as it stands now, this is still a nice change of pace for me, and one that I look forward to comparing with other German Dunkle's in days to come.
//TB

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 7 | Mouthfeel: 8 | Flavor: 7 | Overall: 7

Medium brown color. Medium head. Aroma is banana, cloves and cherries. A light to medium bodied dunkel. Lightly roasted malts with a very pronounced banana and clove tones. Pronounced, but not overpowering. Kind of light bodied for a dunkel. Flavor does not live up to the expectations of the aroma. Light and refreshing. Mouthfeel is full and round. Finish is clean and smooth. Aftertaste is slightly sweet.

Aroma: 10 | Appearance: 6 | Mouthfeel: 5 | Flavor: 4 | Overall: 5

cloudy pale brown colour, fine head, nice lace, banana and corn aroma, smooth, light-bodied,with a touch of acidity

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 7 | Mouthfeel: 8 | Flavor: 7 | Overall: 7

Dark ruby and brown colored body. A large slightly tan head. aroma is bubblegum and some peanuts with grass. The taste is bubblegum and peaches with some slight apple. There is just a hint of nutmeg spice. Nice version of the style. Almost a perfect summer beer.

Aroma: 10 | Appearance: 8 | Mouthfeel: 4 | Flavor: 7 | Overall: 8

Brown pour with big tan head. Aroma is banana, malt and wheaty. Had a bit of a thin, tinny mouthfeel with tastes of malt, malt and more malt. Nice lacing throughout.

Aroma: 7 | Appearance: 6 | Mouthfeel: 6 | Flavor: 6 | Overall: 7

Not a whole lot going on with this one. Dark color with a large head. Did I actually pour any beer into my glass? All I see is foam. Some big maltiness shows through in the flavor with a hint of banana and dough. A bit thin and not awe inspiring. Doable I guess.

Aroma: 7 | Appearance: 8 | Mouthfeel: 7 | Flavor: 9 | Overall: 8

This is a tasty dunkel weisse, sort of banana taste in there somewhere, sweet and yeasty. A little watery on the palate, which makes it very good rather than great.