TRUEBRÜ Munich Dunkel | Advanced All Grain Beer Kit | 6 Gal
TRUEBRÜ Munich Dunkel is an advanced all-grain recipe kit built to produce a rich, smooth and highly traditional Bavarian dark lager. Every malt in this kit is Weyermann malt imported from Germany. The grist is driven almost entirely by Munich I and Munich II malts, creating layers of toasted bread crust, fresh-baked bread and deep malt richness without becoming sugary, roasty or heavy.
A small addition of Carafa Special III develops the deep copper-brown color and subtle cocoa depth expected in the style without harsh roast character. Melanoidin malt reinforces the rich, bread-crust malt character traditionally developed through decoction mashing. Hallertau Mittelfrüh provides smooth bitterness and a restrained floral, spicy and herbal noble-hop character.
Flavor Profile
Rich Munich malt, toasted bread crust, light cocoa and gentle nuttiness lead into a smooth, clean lager finish. Bitterness is restrained and balanced, keeping the beer malt-forward without becoming sweet or cloying.
Advanced Step-Mash Recipe
This is an advanced all-grain kit that uses a multi-step mash. An electric brewing system or other mash setup with accurate temperature control is highly recommended.
- 145°F for 20 minutes
- 156°F for 50 minutes
- 168°F mashout for 10 minutes
Brewers using a non-temperature-controlled mash tun can still complete the step mash through carefully calculated boiling-water infusions or by using a decoction mash, but accurate volume and temperature calculations are required.
Simplified Single-Infusion Option
For brewers who cannot perform the full step mash, mash at 153°F for 60–75 minutes, followed by an optional 168°F mashout. The beer will still remain within style, although attenuation and malt expression may differ slightly from the intended step-mash version.
About Decoction Mashing
Decoction is the traditional Munich Dunkel mash method. A thick portion of the mash is removed, heated and boiled, then returned to the main mash to raise its temperature. A double decoction repeats the process for a second temperature step. Decoction can build intense malt depth and Maillard character, but it also adds considerable time and complexity to brew day.
This recipe intentionally does not require decoction. A small amount of melanoidin malt is included to help reinforce the rich, layered malt character associated with decocted German lagers while keeping the process practical for modern all-in-one systems.
Recipe Targets
- 6 gallons into the fermenter; approximately 5 gallons finished
- Original Gravity: 1.054
- Final Gravity: 1.013
- ABV: 5.4%
- IBU: 23
- Color: 19 SRM
- Carbonation: 2.4 volumes CO₂
- Designed around 67% brewhouse efficiency
Kit Includes
- 12.81 lb freshly measured grain bill
- 3 sealed 1 oz packages of Hallertau Mittelfrüh hops
- Whirlfloc and measured yeast nutrient
- Complete printed recipe card with mash schedule, water volumes, fermentation schedule and style targets
Use 2.75 oz of the included hops and discard the remaining 0.25 oz. We keep the hop packs sealed rather than opening and repackaging them.
YEAST IS NOT INCLUDED AND IS SOLD SEPARATELY.
Recommended liquid yeast: Omega OYL-114 Bayern Lager
Recommended dry yeast: Lallemand Diamond Lager. Additional suitable options include SafLager W-34/70 and CellarScience GERMAN.
For a cold-fermented 6-gallon lager, use an appropriately sized starter or sufficient packs/sachets according to the yeast manufacturer's pitching guidance.
Water salts are not included. The recipe is designed around reverse-osmosis water and includes the target water profile and measured salt additions on the recipe card.
Freshly assembled and packaged to order by TrueBrü Homebrew Supply.