Andechser Dunkel

Brewed by Klosterbrauerei Andechs
Style: Dunkel
Andechs, Germany

0.5L bottle, courtesy of Schutzenliesel. Thanks, Tom! Pours a dense, deep copper color; fluffy, very light-tan head excellent retention and texture; lacing that coats the glass; formidable head here; great pour. Gorgeous presence of smoked meats, caramel, and tobacco in the nose; some brown sugar, but nothing overly sweet; a very nice, spicy smoke character that’s lovely here; crisp, refreshing nose. Medium mouthfeel: solid amounts of caramel, light brown sugar notes, and that persistent smoked meat note appearing in the background; a touch of a metallic presence, but that quickly dissipates; a refreshing, lively, fully attenuated dunkel: this puts so many American renditions to shame; excellent, just not as dense or as savory as their doppelbock. The smoked meat note shows prominently again in the finish, alongside light caramel and hints of brown sugar; again, no residual stickiness or anything close to it; crisp and lively and perfectly balanced at the end.

Draft. Drak brown to amber color. Roasted almost smoky malt aroma. Lightly fruity and hints of caramel. Very drinkable, but very satisfying. Very little bitterness and concentration of malt falvor with little aftertaste.

From a bottle that I picked up in Dinklesbuhl; I think I opened this up in Salzburg. I think I liked this one more than their more esteemed brew. Color was a dark amber/auburn with a foamy head. Aroma of roasted malt, smoke, caramel and sweet malt. Flavor was much of the same; pretty smoky and nutty.

Golden-brown colour. Very toasty aroma with light chocolate accents. Earthy, toasty character with some bitter chocolate and a late nuttiness. Decent example of the style - simple and clean.

500. Thanks, BVC! Clear medium brown with a little loose gray on top. Mild earthy smoky nose. Beautiful light body. Easy drinking, smoky, woody, earthy, leafy mid-palate. Awesomely sessionable little dark lager with no flaws, but has shockingly little flavor compared to the Hard Ball Dark we drank right before it. Especially given that it’s abv is 10% higher.

Draft @ Nurnberg Andechs. Is a gorgeous dark brown glowing coppery red in the light with an aery head. Aroma is bready, with bread crust. Juicy quaffable palate is just right. the flavors are simple brown bread and some caramel malts. I really don’t want anything more than a very drinkable liquid bread experience. The beer delivers.

Bottle in Osaka. Medium brown with a red-orange tint. Nice, pitted, tan head. Dry caramel and roasted malt aroma. Very light body. Think taste. Sweetish, with a decent lingering caramel flavor that dries out in the end. OK balance, but rather flavorless. Does not cross the oceans well. Was much nicer on tap at the monastery.