Style: Munich Dunkel Lager
ABV: 4.9%
Presentation: 6 packs of 330 ml brown bottles / Single 500 ml cans
Brewery: Warsteiner Brauerei
Country: Warstein, Germany

KANPAI! w/ Jeff Werstiuk

When most people think of lagers the first thing that comes to mind is the clear pale fizzy stuff that has practically become ubiquitous with the word beer itself. To some it boggles the mind to learn that there are dark versions of this style of beer, and the fact that all lagers were initially dark.

Lagers became a separate distinct type of beer in relation to ales when the yeast in the beer casks that the Bavarians stored in mountain caves over 500 years ago evolved to ferment on the bottom of the vessel at cold temperatures. The beer was stored in this manner in order to prevent it from spoiling during the hot summer months in a time before the luxury of modern refrigeration, and over the years resulted in a new final product that was cleaner in flavour and clearer in appearance. However “clearer” in this context meant a translucent brown, since all malted barley at this time was brown and had to wait a few more centuries until improvements in kilning technology were able to produce lighter and paler malt.

So then, the Dunkel (which means “dark” in German) was the first of the lagers for quite some time. These days the tables have turned and Dunkels seem to be more of an anomaly than anything else, at least here in North America. Yet one thing to keep in mind is that when dark malt is lagered it produces a refreshingly dry, almost wafer-like quality, quite different from its dark ale cousins on the other branch of the family tree. Along with that the body remains light and crisp just like its golden hued replacements.

As this is a lager, a tall fluted glass such as a Pilsner glass would be the best route to go to serve it in; this would ideally promote the carbonation and accentuate the subtle characteristics. However a pint glass will work as a pinch hitter for extra options. This will also taste best chilled, so around 5 minutes after pulling it out of the fridge will be the best time to serve it. As always more elements will present themselves as it warms, but you don’t want to drink this one too warm.

Your choice of glass will reveal a lager that is a clear nut brown, one that is capped with a spongy off-white head. A few passes under your nose will disclose some nutty sweet malt, a little bit of raisin sweetness, along with some toasty chocolate. The first sip is clean, and could be mistaken for a German Pils if you had your eyes closed, however further investigation will mirror what was present in the aroma: light toasty malt with a nutty character, finishing with a mingling of chocolaty wafer and noticeable grassy hops. The texture has a clean metallic feel, with a light mouthfeel and crisp carbonation.

Forget your former light standby beer the next time you plan on enjoying a good burger, the clean dark malt of this Dunkel will compliment it much better. The same goes for ribs, whether they’re barbecued or dry spare ribs, this dark lager will supplement the flavour while the crisp carbonation will cut through the sauce or the salt of either choice. For a healthier option consider pairing with a meal of roast chicken, and if you’re feeling more ambitious, a chicken stir-fry with black bean sauce and cashews (or your favourite nut) will provide a medley of corresponding flavours.

The next steps in the cooler:

From This Brewery:
Warsteiner Premium Verum
Warsteiner Premium Fresh

In-Style:
Negra Modelo
Efes Dark
Ayinger Altbairisch Dunkel
Lobkowicz Baron

Other Dark Lagers:
Alley Kat Alligator Blackened Lager
Raasted Vinter
Asahi Black
Obolon Oksamytove
Paddock Wood Black Cat Lager
BrewDog Zeitgeist

For The Adventurous:
Ayinger Celebrator Doppelbock
LTM Doppelbock Grande Cuvée Printemps
LTM Série Signature Rauchbier
Samichlaus Bier

Tags: Germany, Lager

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