What can we say about the Bull City Burger and Brewery in Durham, NC that hasn’t been said many times already? BrewChief adores this majestic nectar factory and we think all beer fans worldwide owe it to themselves to make annual BCBB pilgrimages. Too much? Fair enough. Let’s just say that this brewery tops our list of what this craft brew rich region has to offer. On top of creating an array of fantastic beers, brewmasters Seth and Luke are also fantastic guys. I have long believed that success should never correlate with ego, and this is a value I often find on display when visiting BCBB. Case in point: I recently sat down with Luke to share a cold brew, and by cold brew I mean the first two pours of their brand new DPAC Dunkelweizen. Seriously, how often do you get a chance to sample and discuss a brand new brew with the brewer himself, without it being some sort of special event? Just two dudes enjoying some good beer.

In the glass, DPAC Dunkelweizen has a murky brown coloration and comes across as quite thick. It comes with a creamy tan head that has very good retention. On the nose, a sweet banana bread aroma fills the area around the glass. It’s very warm, very fruity, and very welcoming. I also found a complimentary spice note that added a touch of zest. I couldn’t wait to dive in for that first taste.

I’m here to tell you that the aroma comes nowhere close to doing this beer justice. All of those delightful smells burst into powerful flavor notes. The bananas are rich, sweet, and complimented by a faint citrus. Couple it with a thick, creamy mouthfeel and you can’t help but conjure up images of banana milkshakes. The hops are present, but muted to the point of secondary. They do a really good job of balancing the sweetness without getting in the way. The spice note comes into fruition as a savory clove flavor. The finish is malty sweet and exits very light, leaving only a few sweet morsels as an aftertaste.

Overall, Bull City Burger and Brewery’s DPAC Dunkelweizen is a fantastic brew that I could happily enjoy all day long. Its rich yet approachable flavor makes for one awesome session brew. Consequently, I can recommend this beer to any and all beer fans. Seasoned drinkers will find it to be a flavorful treat, while novices will find it to be an enriching new experience. For non-residents, DPAC refers to the Durham Performing Arts Center, a large performance venue just down the street from BCBB. I think my new favorite Durham outing will involve a good show at DPAC, then swinging by BCBB for even more DPAC. Cheers!