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Zwergla

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Zwergla takes its name from the little dwarf rolling a barrel in the brewery's crest and is Fässla's best-known beer. This bottom-fermented dark lager is brewed from 13.5 °P to 6.0 percent and pours a deep mahogany with reddish glints. Soft on the palate and lightly malty, it shows caramel, toasted bread crust and hazelnut, with a touch of dark fruit and cocoa from the darker malts. Carbonation is lively, the hops stay restrained, and the finish is round and gently sweet rather than bitter.

ABV
6.0%
Bitterness
Lightly bitter
Roasted bitterness
SRM
deep amber20
PaceA Few
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
What makes this beer itself
MaltHop
carameltoastynutty
caramel
toasty
nutty
malty
dark fruit
chocolate
Aroma
The nose is dominated by fresh, yeasty notes characteristic of unpasteurized lager, with pronounced grain and subtle bread-like aromas that hint at the malt's gentle sweetness.
also:roasted,clean,bready
not found:hoppy,fruity,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Zwergla

◎ Appearance

Fässla Zwergla presents a pale golden hue with characteristic haziness from its unfiltered nature, displaying natural cloudiness that reveals the beer's authentic cellar beer character. The carbonation is gentle and refined, producing a modest white head that settles into a thin, persistent collar. The turbidity is inviting rather than off-putting, showcasing the living yeast and grain particles that define this traditional style.

pale goldenhazyunfilteredmodest head

◌ Aroma

The nose is dominated by fresh, yeasty notes characteristic of unpasteurized lager, with pronounced grain and subtle bread-like aromas that hint at the malt's gentle sweetness. Earthy undertones emerge beneath, suggesting the cool cellar maturation, while a mild tartness adds complexity without aggression. The overall aromatic profile is delicate and inviting, emphasizing simplicity and authenticity over bold hop character.

yeastygrainyearthysubtle bread

◐ Taste

The palate entry is crisp and refreshing, with a full-bodied malt character that provides substantial mouthfeel despite the moderate 5.2% ABV. Mid-palate flavors balance malty sweetness with a subtle tartness and dry grain quality, creating a harmonious, food-friendly profile without aggressive bitterness. The beer drinks smooth and clean, with the yeast providing depth while maintaining the refreshing character that defines Kellerbier tradition.

maltybalancedsmoothfull-bodied

◑ Finish

The finish is dry and clean with a lingering grain character that fades gracefully without harshness. A subtle tartness persists on the palate, leaving a refreshing impression that invites another sip.

drycleanrefreshing
82
hopIQ score
Aroma
78
Taste
83
Appearance
80
Finish
81
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 Zwergla

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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 caramel, toasty, sweet character as Zwergla 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 →