A Dunkel is a dark, German style lager. Yes, Barley's does lager.

This is a great session beer, meaning you can enjoy several without getting blotto. Originally brewed in Bavaria, Dunkel means "dark" in German. The style is robust without being overbearing.

Before modern brewing, beer was made primarily to preserve and sanitize water. The side effects of the resultant beverage were probably desired as well.

Breweries in Bavaria especially became known for their reddish-brown, malty lagers.

Dunkels are remarkable in that they are deep and complex, but not very heavy or strong. The characteristic ruby brown color comes from the use of Munich malts.

While a dunkle is malt-forward and the hops are subdued, the hops are noticeable in the aroma and provide just enough bitterness to keep the brew from being sweet..

If you're intereswted in comparisons, pick up Ayinger Altbairisch Dunkel, EKU Rubin, Isenbeck Premium Dunkel, Lowenbrau Premium Dark, Dinkel Acker Dunkel, Warsteiner Dunkel, or Hacker-Pschorr Alt-Munich Dunkel.

So what's with the 1516?

Simple. That's the year that the German Beer Purity Law (or Reinheitsgebot) was passed. The law made it illegal to brew beer in Germany using anything other than malt, hops, water and yeast. Dukel was the first style brewed under this law.

We pay tribute to this fine regulation with Barley's 1516 Dunkel.

Barley's 1516 Dunkel

Style Guidelines: German style Dunkel

Rotation Schedule: Usually in the late spring

Food Pairings: Smoked chicken; Barley's smoked and grilled wings; barbecued salmon; venison; German cured sausage

Body: medium

Color: Ruby brown

Grain: British lager, pale and wheat; American pale

Bittering Hops: Argentinian Cascade; Nothern Brewer

Finishing Hops: Liberty; Argentinian Cascade

Original Gravity: 1.062

IBUs (estimate): 20

Alcohol By Volume: 5.8%

First Tapped: April 8, 2009

Barley's Smokehouse & Brewpub Ale House No. 2xx 1130 Dublin Road Columbus OH 43215