hopIQ
ENDE
Build your DNASign in

Hofbräu Dunkel

Staatliches Hofbräuhaus München
Germany·Dunkel
Tap to rate

According to the brewery, dark lager was the first beer brewed at the Hofbräuhaus after 1589. This filtered Dunkel is brewed by decoction from pale barley malt, Munich malt and caramel malt, hopped with Herkules and Perle to 23 IBU, at 12.5 °P original gravity. It is mahogany with an ivory, stable head. Crusty bread, chocolate and toffee lead in the aroma and carry through the taste; the body is smooth yet leaner than the gravity suggests, ending with notes of dark chocolate.

ABV
5.5%
Bitterness
Lightly bitter23 IBU
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
chocolatecaramelbready
chocolate
caramel
bready
malty
dark fruit
roasted
Aroma
The nose leads with crusty bread and chocolate, supported by toffee and subtle caramel sweetness.
also:clean
not found:hoppy,fruity,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Hofbräu Dunkel

◎ Appearance

A deep mahogany pour with excellent clarity and a stable ivory head that holds throughout the glass. The foam clings persistently to the sides, leaving fine lacing as the beer is consumed. The body appears full and inviting despite the moderate gravity.

mahoganystable headfine lacingclear

◌ Aroma

The nose leads with crusty bread and chocolate, supported by toffee and subtle caramel sweetness. Munich malt character dominates, with soft noble hop spice in the background. The aromatics are clean and composed, with no sharp edges.

crusty breaddark chocolatetoffeenoble hops

◐ Taste

Chocolate and bready malt character define the palate, with caramel sweetness woven throughout. The body is smooth and rounded despite being leaner than the gravity would suggest, allowing the malt to shine without heaviness. Bitterness from Herkules and Perle hops is restrained at 23 IBU, finishing with lingering dark chocolate notes.

smooth maltchocolate-forwardmoderate bitternesscaramel sweetness

◑ Finish

A clean, medium-length finish dominated by dark chocolate and subtle roasted grain. The aftertaste remains pleasant and dry without astringency.

dry finishdark chocolate
82
hopIQ score
Aroma
82
Taste
84
Appearance
85
Finish
78
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.

+ Sign in to add your tasting note

Food Pairing

What to eat with Hofbräu Dunkel

More from Staatliches Hofbräuhaus München

Hofbräu Alkoholfrei
Hofbräu Alkoholfrei
Alcohol-Free Lager
<0.5%·Lightly bitter
Find matches →
Hofbräu Kristall Weisse
Hofbräu Kristall Weisse
Kristallweizen
5.4%·Lightly bitter
Find matches →
Hofbräu Münchner Weisse
Hofbräu Oktoberfestbier
Hofbräu Oktoberfestbier
Festbier
6.3%·Lightly bitter
Find matches →
Hofbräu Original
Hofbräu Original
Helles Lager
5.1%·Lightly bitter
Find matches →
Hofbräu Schwarze Weisse
Hofbräu Sommerzwickl
Hofbräu Sommerzwickl
Kellerbier
5.1%·Lightly bitter
Find matches →
Hofbräu Weisse Alkoholfrei
Hofbräu Weisse Alkoholfrei
Alcohol-Free Wheat Beer
<0.5%·Mild
Find matches →

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 chocolate, smooth, caramel character as Hofbräu 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 →