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Harzer Dunkel

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Gently roasted barley malt gives Harzer Dunkel a typical fine malt aroma, while the hopping stays mild. The dark Harz beer comes in at 5.0% ABV and is brewed in Altenau with aroma hops, Harz mountain water and barley from the Oker valley. Brewing in the town goes back to 1617, when local miners and smelter workers were allowed to make their own beer.

ABV
5%
Bitterness
Lightly bitter
Roasted bitterness
SRM
deep amber20
PaceA Few
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
Balance
malt-forwardhop-forward
What makes this beer itself
maltyroastedclean
malty
roasted
clean
noble hop
caramel
bready
Aroma
The nose leads with gentle, toasted barley malt notes that define the beer's identity without aggression.
not found:hoppy,chocolate,fruity,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Harzer Dunkel

◎ Appearance

Harzer Dunkel presents a deep mahogany to dark brown hue, characteristic of the Dunkel style. The beer displays good clarity with a modest, tan-colored head that shows fair retention and lacing. Carbonation is gentle and even, contributing to a refined, approachable visual presence.

deep mahoganyclearfine head retentionsoft carbonation

◌ Aroma

The nose leads with gentle, toasted barley malt notes that define the beer's identity without aggression. Subtle caramel and bread undertones emerge, while noble hop character provides a delicate herbal frame. The overall impression is warm and restrained, inviting rather than forceful.

toasted maltcaramel notesnoble hopsbread crust

◐ Taste

The palate unfolds with a malty entry that emphasizes soft roasted grain and light caramel sweetness. Mid-palate remains smooth and clean, allowing the barley character to shine without sharp edges. Bitterness is restrained at 22 IBU, finishing dry and slightly grainy with a whisper of noble hop spice.

malty foundationsmooth texturerestrained bitternessclean finish

◑ Finish

The finish is medium in length, tapering gradually into a dry, slightly grainy aftertaste. Noble hop bitterness lingers subtly without dominating, leaving the palate refreshed and ready for another sip.

dry aftertastegrainy notes
78
hopIQ score
Aroma
78
Taste
79
Appearance
77
Finish
76
Serve at 7–9°C

Serve at 7–9°C for the best flavour balance and aroma expression.

Stein

The sturdy German stein maintains temperature and keeps carbonation intact. Built for long, convivial drinking.

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Food Pairing

What to eat with Harzer Dunkel

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About Dunkel

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Dunkel?

Dunkel is a distinctive beer style with its own characteristic flavour, aroma and colour. Discover what makes it unique and find similar beers on hopIQ.

Finding a similar Dunkel

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same malty, roasted, smooth character as Harzer Dunkel will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

Compare with another beer →Explore all Dunkel beers in hopIQ →Browse Germany beers →