96 Hirter Morchl, Braueri 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 Primator Dark Lager, Pivovar Nachod (Czech Republic). 4.8% ABV (11/09)
Deep mahogany brown color. Lavish aromas of roasted nuts, honeyed dried peach and artisanal chocolate follow through on a round, frothy entry to a fruity-yet-dry, medium-to-full body with earthy hops and superb balance and crisp drinkability.
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 Ayinger 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 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.
90 Session Black Premium Dark Lager, Full Sail Brewing Co. (OR). 5.4% ABV (11/09)
Deep copper brown color. Aromas of chocolate-covered peach and bonbon follow through on a soft, round entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium body with tangy dried citrus, grainy raisin bread and lightly astringent, grassy, earthy hops on the crisp finish. A great session beer that will work great at the bar and grill table too.
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 and dried grapefruit on the mellow finish. Nice balance of rich flavors and drinkability
90 Hermann’s Dark Lager, Vancouver Island Brewery (Canada). 5.5% ABV (11/09)
Aromas of baker’s chocolate, smoked jerky and crayon follow through on a soft, frothy entry to a dryish medium body with creamy milk chocolate mousse and molasses-drizzled nut notes. Finishes with a smooth, mild, light hop fade. A very tasty, easygoing dark lager.
90 Capital Dark Lager, Capital Brewery (WI). 5.4% ABV (11/09)
Deep copper brown color. Lightly yeasty bread dough, dried fruit and toffee aromas follow through on a round, supple entry to a dryish medium-to-full body with great balance of savory roasted vegetable and honey baked bean notes. Finishes with a long, crisp, citrusy and mossy hop accent. A delicious and highly drinkable food beer that will go fantastically with chili con carne.
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 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 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.
85 Negra Modelo Dark Lager, Cerveceria Modelo (Mexico). 5.4% ABV (11/09)
Rich copper color. Aromas of baked beans with brown sugar and oyster crackers follow through on a round, supple entry to a dryish medium body with a crisp, mineral and hay-accented hop finish. A nice choice for chicken mole.
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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