BJCP 10B · German Wheat Beer
Dunkles Weissbier
A dark amber to brown Bavarian wheat beer, with banana and clove from the yeast over rich malt with toasted bread and caramel.
Dunkles Weissbier by the numbers
- Alcohol (ABV)
- 4.3 – 5.6%on a scale of 2.0 to 14.0
- Bitterness
- 10 – 18 IBUon a scale of 0 to 100
- Color
- 14 – 23 SRM28–45 EBCon a scale of 1 to 40
- Original gravity
- 1.044 – 1.056on a scale of 1.026 to 1.130
- Final gravity
- 1.010 – 1.014on a scale of 0.990 to 1.040
What Dunkles Weissbier is like
A Bavarian wheat beer that's darker and maltier than a Weissbier, with the same banana and clove yeast character. The malt brings toasted bread, soft caramel and sometimes dark fruit. It's still light on bitterness and highly carbonated.
Appearance
Light copper to mahogany brown, hazy from yeast. Dense, abundant light tan head.
Aroma
Moderate to high banana and clove alongside rich malt with toasted bread, soft caramel or dark fruit. Very low to no hops.
Flavor
Wheat and Munich malt with toasted bread, light caramel and some dark fruit, blended with the yeast's banana and clove. Low bitterness and a semi-dry finish. No intense roast or burnt notes.
Mouthfeel
Medium to medium-full body, creamy. High carbonation.
Where Dunkles Weissbier comes from
It's the dark version of Bavarian wheat beer, related to the dark beers brewed in Munich before pale lagers arrived.
Ingredients
At least half the grist is malted wheat, with Munich or Vienna malt and a little caramel or debittered dark malt for color. German noble hops in small amounts. Weizen yeast.
Brew it yourself
How to brew Dunkles Weissbier at home
Ferment at 17-20 °C (63-68 °F) to balance banana and clove, and mash at 66-68 °C (151-154 °F) so the malt has a bit more body. Go easy on the dark malts. The typical mistake is letting the roast cover up the yeast character: it still has to smell like a weizen.
Food pairing
Goes well with roast chicken, oven-roasted pork or banana bread.
Glassware: weizen glass, tall and open at the top, to show off the head and the haze.
Classic examples
- Ayinger Ur-Weisse
- Franziskaner Hefe-Weissbier Dunkel
- Weihenstephaner Hefeweissbier Dunkel
Frequently asked questions
How strong is Dunkles Weissbier?
Between 4.3% and 5.6% ABV, according to the BJCP 2021 Style Guidelines. That is a moderate strength.
How bitter is Dunkles Weissbier?
It has 10 to 18 IBUs, a very low bitterness. For reference, a mass-market lager is around 10 IBUs.
What color is Dunkles Weissbier?
Copper to dark brown: 14 to 23 SRM (28 to 45 EBC).
What food pairs well with Dunkles Weissbier?
Goes well with roast chicken, oven-roasted pork or banana bread.
Which styles are similar?
If you like it, also try Weissbier, Weizenbock and Munich Dunkel.
If you like Dunkles Weissbier, try these
Classification and statistics: official Dunkles Weissbier guidelines from the BJCP, 2021 edition. Original text by Hacer Cerveza Casera.