Dunkelweizen – German for “dark wheat” – can be thought of as a Hefeweizen brewed with some select dark malted barley in addition to wheat. Accordingly, this German wheat beer style shows sweet dark malt aromas and flavors, such as chocolate, in addition to soft notes of fruit esters and phenolic spices. Typically unfiltered, Dunkelweizen beer is light brown to dark brown in color and cloudy due to yeast in suspension.
Characteristics: Malty, wheat, caramel, banana, medium-bodied
ABV range: 4.8-5.4% IBU: 10-15
Popular Dunkelweizen beer brands: Franziskaner Hefe-Weisse Dark, Weihenstephaner Hefeweissbier Dark, Erdinger Weissbier Dunkel, Ayinger Ur-Weisse, Würzburger Julius Echter Hefe-Weiss-Dunkel, Hacker-Pschorr Dunkel Weiss
Serving Temperature: Cool, 46-54°
Cheese Pairing Ideas: Asiago, Colby, Chèvre, Gouda (including smoked)
Food Pairing Ideas: Sausages, German dishes, roast chicken, roast pork
