A very malty dark beer with a rich complex bouquet. You can buy unfiltered samples directly in Germany – they have a pronounced bready taste with earthy notes. The style originated in Munich, but is now produced throughout Germany. There are also export versions. In Franconia, the Munich Dunkel has a darker color and a bitter taste.
The bouquet has notes of toast, chocolate, nuts, creamy toffee. The hop profile gives a light spicy and floral flavor. Color – rich dark with a red tint. Filtered beer is clear, unfiltered beer is cloudy.
Despite the pronounced “maltiness”, the beer is not cloying, hop bitterness is felt. The burnt taste is contrary to style standards. The malt-hop balance tends towards the first component even at the finish.
The style is full-bodied but not heavy, drinkable, moderately carbonated, rich in flavors.
It is made from Munich malt and Pils malt. Caramelized or roasted malts can be used to deepen the color, but it’s up to the brewer not to let these ingredients influence the taste. Hops and yeast only of German origin. Decoction mashing is used to achieve maximum “maltiness”.
The style is less malty than bock and not as bitter as schwarzbier. Slightly sweeter than a Czech dark lager.
Strength: 4.5-5.6%.
Density: initial 1.048-1.056, final 1.010-1.016.
Bitterness Index: 18-28 IBU.
Color: 14-28 SRM.