Effective Munich dunkel lager (given noir-like dark ale labeling) contrasts cocoa-seeded black chocolate chalking, peat-smoked molasses malting and buttery toffee sweetness against coarse hop roast. Mild nut-roasted rye-pumpernickel breading overcomes fizzy phenol fizzing and slick schwarzbier-styled mocha plasticity. 2012 version boasted richer dark chocolate malting and deeper peanut-shelled hazelnut-walnut conflux.
Tag Archives: dark lager
(NEUMARKTER) LAMMSBRAU DUNKEL
Easygoing organically barley-malted Bavarian dark lager retains soft-watered flow, dewy earthen funk, and banana-browned fruit-dried nature to timid caraway-seeded rye-breaded spine. Amiable fig-date-prune sedation, reticent chocolate-covered raisin paucity, and meager chocolate nibs influence find space between. Likable light-bodied German beer may not have enough stylistic honeyed wheat efficacy but milder tastes will be appreciative.
DOGFISH HEAD MILES DAVIS BITCHES BREW
Celebrating the 40th anniversary of Jazz-fusion masterpiece, Bitches Brew, uncommon ebony-hued honey-brewed Imperial Stout-affiliated dark lager better defined as complex schwarzbier. On tap, shiny-leafed berry-like gesho influence affixes sarsaparilla flow to grain-seared cocoa-malted Baker’s chocolate frontage, tar-like hop-charred walnut-singed bitterness, and mildewed cellar-dwelled black grape dankness. Filmy black chocolate midst picks up espresso-milked Anisette reminder, spicy cardamom lilt, and gooey anise ascension. Rich port-bourbon wining fills out clean mocha finish. In bottle, kiln-smoked maple malting picks up chocolate-covered raisin sway and peppery-hopped Belgian chocolate spicing. Worthy salutation’s nearly as interesting as legendary artist Miles Davis.
ALHAMBRA NEGRA
Indecisive deep maroon-bodied soft beige-headed dark lager (caught betwixt less resilient rauchbier and styptic Schwarzbier) drapes beechwood-smoked malts across suspect chocolate-anise bitterness, losing glazed ham and cured meat illusions as sharp-tongued phenol hop char increases. Ashy earthen astringency, wavered cocoa-fig sourness, and roasted nut harshness deplete marble rye hints.
CUSQUENA DARK LAGER
Peculiar seim-flat maroon-hued moderate body remindful of sweet milk stout brings syrupy maple smokiness to dry cigar leaf pleasantry, rain-drenched charred redwood spell, and dry pulp tinge. Thin watery finish depletes brown sugar caress and tar-like backdrop. Don’t be fooled by its beautiful chocolate aromatics. Creamy caramel-chocolate center gets overbearingly cloy, ruining relaxing mood. Also sold as Cuzco Dark Peruvian Lager.
HARPOON MUNICH TYPE DARK LAGER
LOUNY DARK LAGER
SAGRES PRETA DARK LAGER
Cascading brownish tan bubbles provide nice visual accessory while pouring frothy-headed ruby-maroon Schwarzbier. Way too slick on the blanched backend (and a tad phenol besides) to recommend to serious dark lager admirers. Yet chalky nuttiness, black chocolate coarseness, fig-licorice twinge and evasive blackened wood bitterness nearly make up for poor cardboard finish.
(WARMINSKO-MAZURSKIE) DUBLIN IRISH STYLE DARK LAGER
ARCOBRAU BAVARIAN DARK WHEAT LAGER
DE GROEN’S DARK LAGER
HEINEKEN DARK LAGER
Luminescent chestnut-hued dark brew counters lighter Heineken Lager’s astringent bitterness by straying from typical yeast-soured hop pungency characteristic of most Dutch brews. Pleasing sweet caramel nose leads to roasted barleymalt mouthfeel dominating sweet ‘n sour chocolate, cocoa, and coffee. But timid finish and fizzy assertion block much-needed grain inertia.




