96 Hirter Morchl, Brauerei Hirt (Austria). 5% ABV (10/08)
Dark reddish copper color with a frothy tan head. Aromas of chocolate pudding, delicate baking spices and roasted nuts follow through on a soft, satiny entry to a dryish medium body with accents of toffee, roasted root vegetable and cream. Finishes mildly with a cocoa-dusted nut and grain fade. Fantastic.
93 Palone, Okocim Brewery (Poland). 5.5% ABV (11/06)
Dark mahogany color. Smoky dark roasted nuts and dark caramel aromas. A round frothy entry leads to an off-dry medium-full body of bittersweet chocolate, caramel apple and pear and delicate spices. Finishes with a long sweet toffee, date and raisin fade. Very tasty.
93 Hofbräu Dunkel, Hofbräuhaus München (Germany). 5.5% ABV (10/08)
Deep copper brown color. Caramelized grain and nut aromas follow through seamlessly on a silky entry to a dryish medium body with milk chocolate-covered citrus peel accents. Finishes with a long, nut bread dough and mossy stone fade. An elegant and beautifully poised dark lager that drinks effortlessly. Pair with sausages.
93 Dark Czech Lager, Bernard (Czech Republic). 5.1% ABV (10/07)
Deep brown-black teak color. Very even aromas of dark chocolate, roasted nuts and wet earth. A round, velvety entry leads to a rich, medium-to-full body of roasted espresso, cocoa and nut flavors. Finishes with a round even fade and lingering nutty earthiness. Very nicely balanced, harmonious and elegant with a great soft mouthfeel.
92 Altbairisch Dunkel, Privatbrauerei Aying (Germany). 5% ABV (10/07)
Rich mahogany color. Baker’s chocolate, soy sauce and roasted nut aromas. A round, supple entry leads to a dryish medium-full body of rich chocolate, dark toasted raisin nut bread and honeyed lemon zest with evolving layers of spice, grain and wood notes. Finishes with a long, cocoa, nut and spice fade with delicate lemon custard and coffee notes. Delightfully flavorful and balanced.
91 Munich Dark Lager, Capital Brewery (WI). 5.2% ABV (11/06)
Rich reddish brown color. Spicy, caramelized nut, malted chocolate and delicate earth aromas. A rich entry leads to a snappy medium body of tangy chocolate-covered citrus, butter roasted nut and spice flavors. Finishes with a sweet dark chocolate, earthy hop and fig fade. Very flavorful and easy-drinking.
91 Jubilate Special Reserve Dark Lager, Brauerei Pinkus Müller (Germany). 5.1% ABV (10/08)
Dark reddish copper color. Aromas of mocha and caramelized nuts follow through on a soft, supple entry to a creamy, dryish medium body with wet cereal and tangy orange and nectarine skin accents. Finishes with a smooth, gentle chocolate-covered fruit and nut fade with grassy hops in support. A finely balanced and refreshing dark lager to pair with sausages and ribs.
91 Dark Lager, Krusovice (Czech Republic). (11/06)
Dark reddish brown color. Roasted nut, burnt sugar and clay aromas. A round frothy entry leads to a dry-yet-fruity medium body of grainy roasted malt, sweet cocoa, caramelized dark roasted nuts and loamy mineral flavors. Finishes with a tangy cocoa-dusted citrus and clay-like hop fade. Classic Czech style dark lager with a wonderfully earthy edge.
90 Munich Dunkel Lager, Bastone Brewery (MI). 5.5% ABV (10/08) %{Brewpub}
Dark reddish copper color. Milk chocolate and caramel drizzled dried apricot and apple aromas have a fragrant mocha edge and follow through on a round, supple entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body with pepper, straw, dried grapefruit on the mellow finish. Nice balance of rich flavors and drinkability
90 Beerlao Dark, Lao Brewery (Laos). 6.5% ABV (10/07)
Brilliant copper color. Chocolate-covered espresso bean aromas follow through to a chewy dryish medium body with toffee and dried fruit accents and a crisp cocoa and jam fade. Pleasant. Pair with bacon wrapped shrimp or ham sandwiches.
89 Penn Dark Lager, Penn Brewery (PA). 5.1% ABV (11/08)
Reddish mahogany color. Toasted raisin nut bread and forest floor hop aromas follow through on a soft, mild entry to a dryish medium body with great balance and a delicately crisp, baked apple and mossy, hop-accented fade. Very drinkable and pure in style.
88 Winter Brew, Sprecher Brewing Co. (WI). 5.75% ABV (11/06)
Deep mahogany color. Sweet toffee, dark roasted nuts and candied dried apricot aromas. A vibrant frothy entry leads to a sweetish medium-full body of toffee, brown sugar, dried citrus fruit, spice bag and roasted nuts flavors. Finishes with tangy, sweet chocolate-covered yams and lemon peels and delicate, earthy and spicy hops. Very refreshing.
88 Berghoff Genuine Dark Lager, Joseph Huber Brewing Co. (WI). (10/07)
Deep copper chestnut color. Sweet mocha nut fudge aromas. A soft, smooth entry leads to a zesty dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body of chocolate-covered citrus peels and delicate spice flavors. Finishes with a clean, chocolate phosphate and marmalade fade. Tasty and refreshing.
88 Beck’s Dark Lager, Brauerei Beck & Co. (Germany). 5% ABV (11/07)
Deep reddish brown color. Cocoa powder and oily nut aromas. A crisp, frothy entry leads to a dryish medium body of carob dusted citrus and raisin nut toast flavors with a crisp, tangy bittersweet chocolate, citrus peel and earthy, herbal hop fade. Very nice.
87 Dark Lager, San Miguel Brewery (Philippines). 5% ABV (10/07)
Dark reddish mahogany brown color. Chocolate-covered strawberry, nut and peach aromas. A round, supple entry leads to a dryish light-to-medium body of faint nut toast and roasted corn flavors. Finishes with a quick fade.
86 Troitskoye Dark Lager, Alivaria (Belarus). 5.25% ABV (10/07)
Brilliant deep copper color. Sweet caramelized roasted nuts and treacle aromas. A round, plush entry leads to a frothy, dryish medium body of buttered toasted dark rye bread, roasted chestnut and fig flavors. Finishes with a zesty, buttered nut and earth hop fade.
86 St. Pauli Girl Special Dark, St. Pauli Brauerei (Germany). 4.8% ABV (10/08)
Deep copper brown color. Faint dark caramelized nuts, melted chocolate and raisin toast aromas follow through on a smooth, supple entry to dryish, even light-to-medium body with good balance. Finishes with a dash of nut, straw and earthy hops on the finish. A pleasant, easy drinking dark lager.
86 Hermann’s Dark Lager, Vancouver Island Brewery (Canada). 5.5% ABV (10/07)
Dark brown color. Mild dark roasted nuts and cocoa aromas follow through to lively frothy, dry medium body with hints of cider vinegar, coffee oil, cocoa and spice flavors with a zesty citrus and nut fade.
86 Dunkel Fester, River Horse Brewery (NJ). 4.7% ABV (10/08)
Dark reddish mahogany color. Roasted coffee, herb crusted cheese and cocoa aromas follow through on a round, vibrant entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body with date and roasted vegetable notes. Finishes with a chocolate-covered nut, citrus and coffee bean fade.
84 Eastside Dark Lager, Lakefront Brewery (WI). 5.5% ABV (11/06)
Deep copper color. Sour dough bread, burnt sugar and mild soap aromas. A round entry leads to a sweetish medium body of bittersweet chocolate, grainy sour dough and burnt sugar flavors. Finishes with a chocolate-covered cherry, lemon and roasted nut fade.
82 Bohemian Garnet Lager, Hideji Beer (Japan). 4.5% ABV (2/07)
Deep copper color. Dark roasted nut and treacle aromas follow through to a smooth, frothy and dry medium body with dried citrus, pecans and a mellow earthy hops fade.
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