Denison's Dunkel Lager (Dark Lager from The Brewer)

[old faithful]

Kudos to Mike Hancock aka The Brewer for brewing a fine dark German lager. I tried it at Volo last night. 23 ounces went down a treat, and it was very digestible, too. Nice chance to meet Rob Creighton albeit only briefly. Charles Maclean exited before I had the chance to say hello. I found the beer almost identical to its profile at the old Denison's. (Where did the name Denison come from, I wonder?). Good touch of chocolately malt, not too heavy, not too light with that distinctive Denison's lager yeast in the background and a nice pillowy head. Maybe the great bock of Denison's will rear its head one day, too.

Also had a bottle of Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale. While not always a fan of Cascades and similar hops, this beer showcases them to best advantage and it is bottle conditioned but showing remarkable stability after (I assume) some months in bottle. The beer tasted exactly as I recall from trips to California 20 years ago. A good model (in my humble opinion) for anyone seeking to make a big-bodied ale with North American hops, i.e., use them with discretion and ensure good body and alcohol level. 6.8% abv but I hardly knew ye.

Gary

[dhurtubise]

[quote=" A good model (in my humble opinion) for anyone seeking to make a big-bodied ale with North American hops, i.e., use them with discretion and ensure good body and alcohol level. 6.8% abv but I hardly knew ye.

Gary[/quote]

The Celebration is a REALLY REALLY hoppy american. It is wonderful, with enough malt backbone to support alot of the hops, but that beer is definitly hop forward.

[old faithful]

Yes. By "discretion", I didn't mean don't use a lot of hops, but rather blend and add them carefully and in the context of what else is going on in the beer. I have had too many U.S. beers with thin bodies and huge unbalanced raw citric/piny tastes that, to me (just my taste) are almost undrinkable. I think you need a deep malty beer to "absorb" a high hopping rate for that kind of hop taste. Celebration gets it right. I also like Liberty Ale when very fresh. Also, Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, these brewers just get the balance right for me.

Gary

[PRMason]

Michael Hancock is one of the most meticulous brewers I know. Fromingredients, to brewhouse schedules to sanitation, nothing is ever overlooked. This attention to detail is evident in all of his beers. The Dunkel, known as Royal Dunkel at Denisons, is a superb beer and I'm glad it is available.

[midlife crisis]

I agree with old faithful's last post. DFH 60 and 90 are good examples of this too. Generally, the super-hopped American ales are too much for me, but the DFH have delicious malt backing.

[DougShoemaker]

I stopped by Volo yesterday to have the Denisons Dunkel. I had a pleasant conversation with Ralph, chatting about all things beer. The Dunkel by the way was lovely. Michael Hancock, as Perry mentioned You are thoroughly meticulous, and it shows, and I Thank You Sir.

I encourage everyone to try, or re-enjoy this gem.

Cheers, Doug

[pootz]

How long till we see it in bottles Michael?

[northyorksammy]

I saw Michael tonight..says it will soon be on at C'est What

[northyorksammy]

had at C'est WHat tonight

[Radek]

Next we will get good Bock from Michael right ?

[the.brewer]

Sooner or later, Radek, it will be brewed.

[the.brewer]

Nah...... on second thoughts...........been there, done that.

[northyorksammy]

Michael, good thread on BA on Marzen today as a year-round, hint

[old faithful]

Alright Michael, how about a 1763 porter from the Combrune book, "Michael's Porter" you should call it, the double entendre would be pleasing (to me at any rate).

And don't go telling me porter isn't Germanic it sure is, it has been brewed there for a couple of hundred years at least and there are surviving or revival examples in Germany.

Gary

[mustang3]

I'm coming home from school for Easter weekend. Any chance the dunkel is still on tap anywhere or did you guys drink it all?