Who says the big guys can’t brew great beer? The Jacob Leinenkugel’s brewery of Chippewa, Wisconsin has something to say for those that do. Leinenkugel’s is really a regional brewer but they’re owned by Miller Brewing, who has basically left them to their own devices since they bought them. I was reminded of how good Leinenkugel beers can be when I ordered up a foamy mug of Leinenkugel’s Bavarian Dunkel at Taco Mac.

Leinenkugel’s Bavarian Dunkel is a Munich Dunkel by style, generally a soft malty lager with dark nutty malty notes (dunkel is the German word for dark). Leinenkugel’s interpretation of the style surprised me with its robust malty goodness that exceeded my expectations for the style.

From the website:

Leinenkugel’s winter seasonal, Bavarian Style Dunkel, is a medium bodied dark lager brewed with notes of cocoa, toasted malt and mild winter spices that blend perfectly with a hint of berries. Its rich taste and clean finish make it a great addition to a winter’s day spent cozying up by a fire.

Leinenkugel’s Bavarian Dunkel has an alcohol content of 5.5% with 12 IBUs. The brewery says the beer is available November through February. I paid $5 for a 20-ounce mug and you can get a 12-pack at Target for $13.29.

My mug of Leinenkugel’s Bavarian Dunkel arrived a dark brownish to black color with a medium sized head of creamy tan foam and a lightly roasty nutty malt nose. The beer features light roast in the palate, chocolate, dry roasted nuts, and a slightly grassy balancing to gently bitter finish.

Lots of megabrewed craft beers styles can be lackluster in my experience but that is certainly not the case here. Leinenkugel’s Bavarian Dunkel is darker and roastier than some microbrewed versions I’ve tasted. It’s a winner in my book and gets extra credit for the bargain price.

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