Dragon’s Breath Dark
Heff brewed by Bayern Brewing - Missoula, Montana
Hefeweizen is an unfiltered classic in Bavaria (“Hefe” means yeast,
a small amount of which remains in the beer). In 2004, Bayern
Brewing introducing a dark Hefeweizen, otherwise known as a
Dunkelweizen (dark wheat), to the line-up: Dragon’s Breath Dark Heff.
Dragon’s Breath Dark Heff is mild in taste, unfiltered, and 5.6 %
ABV (Alcohol by Volume). It is moderately hopped with Bavaria’s
preeminent Hallertauer Perle hops and is cold-fermented, eliminating
any harsh aftertaste.
Jürgen Knöller, Bayern Brewing’s proprietor and Brew Master, brewed
this beer style at four different breweries in Bavaria in the early
eighties. His Dark Hefeweizen won Gold at the prestigious German DLG
(German society of Food and Drink Producers Association) annual
competition consecutively from 1980 through 1985. Jürgen’s same
brew, introduced at a major U.S. beer competition for the first time
under the label “Dragon Breath Dark Heff”, received the Silver Medal
at the North American Brewers’ Association 2008 Beer Awards. Most
recently, Dragon's Breath won Gold at the 2011 US Open Beer Tasting
Championship.
Beer Review by
Beer Advocate:
Appearance - Two-finger head of rich, off-white foam that falls at a
moderate pace, leaving rings around the glass. Chocolate brown and
cloudy. Held to a light, it's apricot brown/orange.
Aroma - Biscuits, malt, and a hint of bananas.
Taste - Caramel, lightly toasted malt, touch of banana bubblegum on
the finish. There's also a trace of bittering hops for balance.
Mouthfeel - Moderately fizzy. Great structure with well-defined
body. Good carbonation. Moderately lasting finish.
Overall - When I lived in Missoula, Bayern was my favorite local
brewery and this beer was my everyday brew. This review is of the
last bottle of the several cases that came with me when I moved.
It's next to impossible to have just one. Very delicious, very
well-made. Precisely the type of the beer I enjoy as the refreshing,
rewarding sure-thing. It's even better fresh from the tap.
 
Bayern Brewing
Bayern Brewing began in Missoula, Montana, in
1987. We are proud to be the only German brewery in the Rocky
Mountains. Owner and Brewmaster, Jürgen Knöller, is a German Diploma
Master Brewer. He began brewing in 1978 at age 16. The education
that he received in Germany was a rigorous and lengthy one. It took
eight years to advance from apprentice to journeyman to Master
brewer. He focuses on quality and is truly dedicated to his
profession. Combine his education, experience and personal
dedication and you have amazing beer.
Bayern Brewing is 100% locally owned and operated. We do not
contract brew or bottle outside of our own brewery. From brewing to
filtering to bottling, every part of the process in the production
of our beer is done right here in Missoula, Montana. We produce
according to German quality standards and our dedication to the art
of brewing combined with technologically superior equipment and
old-fashioned hard work produce a product second to none.
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