BJCP 2021 / 8A
Munich Dunkel
A dark lager built on melanoidin and bread crust, with little roast.
- Drink fresh
- standard strength
- dark color
- bottom fermented
- lagered
Serve: 44 to 48F, Half-liter mug
OG1.120
1.048 to 1.056FG1.030
1.010 to 1.016IBU120
18 to 28SRM40
17 to 28ABV14%
4.5 to 5.6%Taste it in order
Aroma
12 pts- Deep bread crust and light caramel
- A hint of chocolate or nuts
- No roast and a very low hop aroma
- Vague
- Malty
- Better
- Bread crust and a touch of chocolate
- Best
- Moderate-high bread crust and toasted nut aroma, faint chocolate, no roast, very low hop
Appearance
3 pts- Deep copper to dark brown
- Clear with ruby highlights
- Tan, creamy head
- Vague
- Brown
- Better
- Deep brown, clear
- Best
- Deep brown with ruby edges, brilliant, creamy tan head with good retention
Flavor
20 pts- Rich melanoidin malt that tastes like bread crust
- Low chocolate and caramel
- Gentle bitterness, dry-ish finish
- Vague
- Malty
- Better
- Rich bread and chocolate
- Best
- Moderate-high bready crust and toasted nut malt, low chocolate, low bitterness, medium-dry finish
Mouthfeel
5 pts- Medium to medium-full body
- Medium carbonation
- Smooth, creamy
- Vague
- Smooth
- Better
- Medium body, creamy
- Best
- Medium to medium-full body, creamy, medium carbonation
Overall Impression
10 ptsLifts it
- Rich bread without roast
- Smoothness
Drops it
- Roast bite
- Cloying sweetness
- Cardboard
Writing tip
Call out the malt source. Example: 'Bread crust with a hint of chocolate, smooth with no roast. Excellent depth.'
Pour these
- Altbairisch DunkelAyingerThe classic rich bread malt
- Kloster Barock-DunkelWeltenburgerRound chocolate and bread
- Alt Munich DarkHacker-PschorrA bit sweeter with toasty depth
Often confused with
- 8B SchwarzbierSchwarzbier has roasted malt, a drier finish and darker color
- 6C Dunkles BockDunkles Bock is stronger with deeper fruit
Fine here
- DMS: A trace is tolerated
Ruinous here
- Astringent: Harsh roast tannin
- Diacetyl: Butter
- Oxidized: Stale bread
Style names, numbers and vital statistics follow the BJCP 2021 beer guidelines. Descriptions and example choices are our own. Check a beer is still made before you hunt for it.