95 Ur-Weisse, Privatbrauerei Aying (Germany). 5.8% ABV (6/08)
Hazy amber copper color with blanket of mousse. Creamy nougat, dark banana-orange bread, and delicate spice aromas. A round, chewy entry leads to a dry-yet-fruity medium-full body with loads of sweet wheat pastry, cream banana custard, clove, and orange blossom honey flavors. Finishes with a long, tangy creamy nougat and spice bread fade. A gentle giant of a dunkel weiss with superb drinkability.
92 James Madison Dark Wheat, The Boston Beer Co. (MA). 5.2% ABV (7/06)
Deep cloudy burnished copper color. Treacle, roasted nut, dried fruit, and faint anise aromas. A rich, frothy entry leads to a dryish full-bodied palate with honeyed rye toast, dried autumn fruits and bananas, nuts, and spices. Finishes with a long, roasted nut, dried banana, and delicately peppery spice fade. A rich roasted wheat beer.
92 Dunkel Weisse, Hacker-Pschorr Brauerei (Germany). 5.3% ABV (6/07)
Slightly hazy, deep copper brown color. Banana puree, buttered almond brittle, and sumptuous brown spice aromas follow through to a frothy and round medium-to-full body of toasted banana nut bread, nutmeg, and candied orange peel flavors. Finishes with nice a caramelized nut, earth, and delicate spice fade.
91 Franziskaner Dunkel Hefe-Weisse, Spaten-Franziskaner Brau (Germany). 5% ABV (6/08)
Hazy copper mahogany color with a fine taupe head. Nutshell, banana bread crust, and toffee aromas. A round entry leads to a dryish medium-to-full body of caramelized nuts, fig anise bread, and delicate spice. Finishes with banana pudding and dark toffee fade. A tasty choice for grilled game sausages.
90 Julius Echter Hefe-Weiss Dunkel Premium, Wurzburger Hofbrau (Germany). 5.5% ABV (6/07)
Cloudy, deep copper brown color. Toasted pumpernickel and toffee aromas. A rich, supple, and velvety entry leads to a dryish medium-full body of banana custard, dark nutty toast, cocoa, and subtle spices. Finishes with a toasty toffeed fade with a hint of citrus rind and wet stones. Well balanced and refreshing.
88 Dunkelweizen, Spoetzl Brewery (TX). 5.2% ABV (11/06)
Deep copper-mahogany color. Sour dough yeast, nuts, and dusty earth aromas. A smooth, lightly frothy entry lead to a dryish medium body of sweet dark caramel, dark raisin puree, roasted nuts, and cocoa powder flavors. Finishes with a tangy chocolate covered lemon peel and delicate spice fade. Very smooth, balanced, and highly drinkable.
87 Falken Steiner Ur-Schwarze, Privat Brauerei Bischoff (Germany). 5.2% ABV (6/08)
Russet mahogany color with an off white blanketing head. Nutshells, overripe banana, and pumpernickel dough aromas. A round, supple entry leads to a dryish medium-full body with dried banana, praline, and pudding flavors. Finishes with a mild, slightly earthy, yeast and wet straw fade.