Problematic ‘Alpine-style dark wheat ale’ sustains sour-malted rye-pumpernickel blandness, phenol dried fruiting and dismal nuttiness. Though never catching fire, red grape-fig-date tartness and banana bread illusions nearly save the day.

Phenol murky brown dark wheat ale comes up short in limited ’08 release. For starters, dry-bodied banana souring needs to be pushed forward. Next, its lack of spicy clove-coriander sweetness, dearth of pineapple-orange fruiting, and off-putting smoked peat malting mire cocoa-tinged raisin-prune-fig tartness. Finally, moldy earthen usurpation ruins bland yellow-fruited finish. Busily muddled 2012 version chucked sweet and sour banana tartness in all directions, expanding stylish boundaries as unexpected beechwood smoking cluttered vinous red grape coarseness, musty grape-stemmed Muscat wining and yellow raisin snip.

A.k.a. dark wheat, this medium-bodied Bavarian tends toward the lighter side, as dry plum-raisin souring picks up mild malt creaminess alleviating clove-banana recess. Floral hop dusting drapes lucid mocha backdrop.

Booze-charged caramel-wafted dark wheat beer with creamy mocha malt palate and rising prune undertones intercepted by high-octane alcohol-fueled hop bittering. Buttery honey-nut follow-up reaches dry almond wine finish. Depending on individual taste, this coppery German is either pure platinum or fools gold – but it’s always inviting.

Casual fizz-hopped bitter underscores sourdough yeast with orange-peeled lemon rind tang, but scant caramel creaminess compromised by indecisive malt impact and dry cork must.

Sturdy chartreuse-bronzed dark wheat beer allows sour yeast and subtle grains to impede soft hop-fizzed citric-soured banana-clove surface. Delicate barley-roasted burnt caramel pleasantry daubs dried prune overtures and soft floral undertones, reaching buttery sourdough finish. Enjoyable, but not essential.

Creamy ruddy amber full body retains overripe banana-clove sweetness, cinnamon-toasted apple jacking, and brown sugared cocoa buttering to warm barleywine finish. Prune-plum-fig sourness, cider-y green grape pucker, and dry bourbon boozing nestle tertiary red cherry, sugared date, and butterscotch notes.

Sinewy yeast texture, Bavarian malt creaminess, and fizzy hop carbonation give soda-like dark wheat a refreshing combination. Though lacking explosive red wine-like essence sometimes typical of its class, soft lemon-clove perk and roasted barley backbone expand surprisingly smooth sedation.

Dark wheat brew with natural cherry flavoring and sweet wine essence. Fizzy-hopped cracked wheat punctuation adds depth to rich chocolate malt finish. Consistently rewarding without being too obtuse in its slurry fruited nature.

Succinct tawny-clouded meringue-headed dark wheat combines crystalline malts, sourdough yeast, and musty citric spicing in brisk manner. Clove nose gets minor floral yeast and restrained banana backup while leathery earthiness absorbs tart raisin-fig-date riptide by orange blossom finish. A bit soft for its exalted class, though.

Made from a 1444 recipe, this reddish-brown Belgian-styled ale has sassy appeal but lacks focus. Dark roasted grains blend with exotic spices and smoked mocha-chocolate, but flaccid wheat finish needs extra strength. Brewery defunct: 2005.

Delicious pearly-headed dark wheat saddles lusty banana-clove-coriander theme with sweet ‘n sour orange tang and vanilla-spiced nutmeg-jasmine easement to baked bread spine of totally exquisite German.