American Lager - Dark Lager

BJCP 01-B

AROMA

Little to no malt aroma. Little or no roast malt aroma since the color is usually derived artificially from the addition of dark caramel brewing syrups. Hop aroma may range from none to light flowery hop presence. Slight fruity aromas may exist from yeast and hop varieties used. Low levels of "cooked-corn" aroma due to DMS may be noticeable. No diacetyl.

APPEARANCE

Deep copper to dark brown with bright clarity. Foam stand may not be long lasting.

FLAVOR

Crisp with some low levels of sweetness. Roasted malt flavors, very low to none; often the dark color is from dark caramel brewing syrups rather than roasted malts. Hop flavor ranges from none to low levels. Hop bitterness at low to medium levels. No diacetyl. No fruitiness.

MOUTH FEEL

Light to somewhat medium body. Smooth, although a well-carbonated beer.

OVERALL

A colored version of lighter American lagers with little or no dark malts used. Somewhat sweeter than its pale cousins with a little more body.

INGREDIENTS

Two- or six-row barley, corn or rice as adjuncts and potentially artificially colored with dark caramel brewing syrups.

COMMERCIAL EXAMPLES

Michelob Dark, Lowenbrau Dark, Beck's Dark, Saint Pauli Girl Dark.

VITAL

OG: 1.040-1.050 IBUs: 14-20 FG: 1.010-1.012 SRM: 10-20 ABV: 4.1-5.1%