Ayinger Altbairisch Dunkel

Brewed by Brauerei Aying
Style: Dunkel
Aying, Germany

2006 bottle drunk on 9/30/06.
Dark beige-walnut colored head is very forthcoming and shows fine retention. Light webs of lace are produced as it recedes down the glass. The chocolate-amber colored body has deep auburn tints and demonstrates a medium-high clarity.
Poignant touches of vinousness and berry-skins are peppered about a softly sweet, chocolate-caramel maltiness that deftly allows a crisp lager yeast bite to creep in towards the end, finishing dry and quite elegant. Some definite traces of almonds, walnuts and light coffee beans arise from the dark malts and stretch the complexity. A touch of grassy, dusty hoppiness is minimally noted. Gentle on the nose, and with well-defined notes that work well together. Medium strength of aroma, no alcohol apparent, no lagering/brewing flaws.
Very sweet up front, moreso than the aroma would suggest, with a nougat and toffee creaminess, that blends nuttiness and light vinousness as well. Some breadiness and light acidity from the dark malts begin to dry things out, while a robust carbonation helps pull apart the sweetness as well. Light buttercream, coffee cake and vibrant berry-like melanoidins sit on the end, surviving the lightly crisp yeastiness. Very delicate, as a dunkel should be, with nothing even remotely overdone. Quite possibly, nothing here is going to rock your world, but the execution/brewing is near-flawless. Perhaps a touch too much on the carbonation, and the finish could stand to be more biting for a lager, but the overall attenuation is well-done, and the flavors are quite elegant.

This has to be the most consistantly good German brewery I have come across. This poured very dark clear amber with a nice dense egg shelled colored head. The aroma has rich bready toffee and creamy malt. Medium / light body with some soft carbonation. Starts with a bit of astringency and roasted malt that is very smooth and velvety. There is also a good amount of dry toffee. The finish has some spice added in with the rest. A very enjoyable dunkel.

The 17 ounce bottle poured a deep reddish amber colored beverage with a small creamy off-white head that was mostly diminishing but left some lacing on the glass. The aroma was nicely balanced with notes of molasses, coffee and slightly burnt malt. The body was medium to full with a soft, smooth carbonation and a crisp, dry texture. The flavor starts off lightly sweet and then begins to take on a hint of tartness that grows through the middle and then levels off. The tartness lasts through the medium-long finish.

Dark brown with a garnet color when held up to light. Sweet smell of munich malt, hints of chocolate and nutty overtones. slight bitterness of noble hops. good overall dunkle

Bottle: Clear brown colo with small tan head. The aroma is sweet malts and slightly metallic. The taste has rich flavors of caramel and toffee. The feel is fairly thin with lots of carbonation and a seet aftertaste. Its a good beer with pizza.

500 ml bottle. Dark brown and crystal clear.Tall merengue-like white head. Slightly oxidized aroma, probably caused by the beer being past its best before date about a couple of months. Dark malty grainy oxidized aroma. Smooth texture. Malty rich grainy flavours. Little bitterness. What hops is there is nicely balanced by the malts. Chewy and very drinkable.

Bottle pours brownish and slightly cloudy with a foamy offwhite head that stays well and laces some. Aromas of nuts, caramel and light chocolate. Flavor is quite malty, caramel, chocolate, and nuts with a touch of coffee as well. Smooth easy drinking with a soft mouthfeel and a lingering malty finish.

Sweet aroma, walnut coconut and honey in there. Dark brown colour, little white foam. Taste quite smokey, cherry as well. Long finish.