Alt Irlbacher Spezial Dunkel
Review Date 2/24/2025 By John Staradumsky
Welcome friends to another delightful beer that I am enjoying from the Webster Barnes Biergarten Collection of 24 German beers, sold at select Costco locations. That beer is Irlbacher Alt Irlbacher Spexial Dunkel from Bavaria’s Schlossbrauerei Irlbach. Webster Barnes has the following to say about the brewery, which is new to me:
Anton Irlbacher founded the brewery in 1876, operating primarily as a traditional Bavarian brewery, producing a range of beers including lagers, wheat beers, and with a few specialty brews typical of the region. Maintaining a strong local following in Irlbach has helped the brewery remain a steadfast part of the community.
Here's what the brewery says about the beer on their website:
Das Bier für alle, die es kräftig und aromatisch mögen. Ein traditionell bayerisches Spezialbier von ausgesprochen kastanienbrauner Farbe.
Which means if you don't speak German:
The beer for everyone, that is strong and aromatic. A traditional Bavarian specialty beer with a distinctly chestnut brown colour.
Irlbacher Alt Irlbacher Spezial Dunkel has an alcohol content of 5.2% by volume according to my can, the website says the version sold in Germany is 5.8% by volume.. I paid $59.99 for the box of 24 half liter cans, a good deal at about $2.50 a can. Where are you going to get a craft beer single for $2.50 these days? It happens, but it is rare. My can was stamped 05.07.2025 on the bottom. It is brewed bt Irlbach, but canned in Poland by Malcolm SA for this collection. It is stamped 05.07.2025 on the bottom, or best by July 5th of this year.
Irlbacher Alt Irlbacher Spezial Dunkel pours to a deep chestnut color with a thick creamy tan head and a nose of toasted nuts and molasses. Taking a sip, the beer is medium in body, appropriate to the style. It’s lip-smacking tasty with notes of chocolate chip cookies, toasted nuts and Russell Stover’s Molasses Chew chocolates. Finishes dry and balanced bitter with a hint of grassy hops.
Other beers in this collection:
Rittmayer Hallendorf 1422 Festbier
Klosterbrau Neuzeller Anas Geheimnisse
Klosterbrauerei Neuzeller Traditions Gebräu Imperial Porter
Eichbaum Perfekte Zeit Wheat Pale Ale
Irlbacher Premium Weihnachts Festbier
Irlbacher Premium Vollbier Hell
Glad I tried it?
T
Would I rebuy it??
*Pricing data accurate at time of review or latest update. For reference only, based on actual price paid by reviewer.
(B)=Bottled, Canned
(D)=Draft
