Aldersbacher Kloster Dunkel

Aldersbacher Kloster Dunkel by Aldersbacher Brewery​ is a Munich Dunkel and will be judged under BJCP 2015 category 8A as such. This beer pours a deep brown color with a creamy tan head that clings to the glass. It’s nearly opaque, but seems clear and can be seen through. The aroma is very rich and malty full of bread crusts, melanoidins, toast, nuttiness, medium caramel, hints of cocoa and dark fruit (raisin, plums). There is not much else beyond the malt as there is no hops and a very clean yeast profile. The flavor is similar, but takes on more sweetness, not so much from higher caramel character, but from low bitterness leading to a semi-sweet finish. This also seems to be from a fairly high final gravity as the body is medium-full yet not cloying with a rich, crisp mouthfeel. This is a great classic example of the style, but towards the sweeter side. A touch more bitterness or slightly higher attenuation would bump this to another level.