What is Dark Beer? A Complete Guide Exploring Flavours, Types, and More

Dark beer refers to a broad category of beers that are dark in colour and have a rich flavour. Stouts, porters, and dark lagers are all different types of dark beer, yet each pint can impart entirely different notes and undertones.

In this complete guide, we explore the rich and varied world of dark beers. If you’ve ever wondered what makes a dark beer dark, what these beers taste like, how a black IPA (since the PA stands for Pale Ale) can be considered a dark beer, or where to begin with dark beer, you’ve come to the right place!

What is Dark Beer?

Dark beer, from deep amber to almost black, is a category of beer known—as you may have guessed—for its darker colour. The darker colour in these beers typically comes from roasted barley or speciality malts used during brewing. Just as toasting bread for longer results in darker, more flavourful bread, or roasting coffee beans for longer produces darker, more intense coffee, roasting barley and malt for longer also produces darker, more flavourful beers.

What Makes Dark Beer Dark?

Roasted Barley and Malts

Dark beers typically use roasted malts that have been kilned at varying temperatures to achieve different colours and flavours. The process darkens the barley grains and brings out the deep, rich flavours of dark beer. Brewers create an array of rich, flavourful dark beers by using a blend of malts, such as chocolate malt, black malt, and caramel malt.

• Malt is barley that has been allowed to germinate before being roasted. Brewers use roasted barley instead of malt for stouts, resulting in a richer coffee flavour.

Adjuncts

In addition to roasted malts, dark beers may include adjuncts like molasses, brown sugar, cocoa, or even coffee — all of which can contribute to their complexity and depth of flavour.

Mashing

This is when the roasted malts are mixed with hot water. The process converts the malt starches into fermentable sugar. The temperature and duration of the mashing process can influence the beer’s body and sweetness.

What Does Dark Beer Taste Like?

Flavour Profile

While not all dark beers taste the same, they are typically known for their rich, malty, and full-bodied flavour.  

Tasting Notes

• Chocolate: Sweet chocolate notes are common in stouts and porters
• Coffee: For those who like intense, strong coffee flavours, some dark beers contain a bitter, robust coffee taste to compliment the malty sweetness
• Caramel: Caramel notes are smooth and sweet, adding depth to the beer’s profile.
• Fruity: Like rich fruit cakes, undertones of dark fruits such as raisins, plums, and almonds add a fruity flavour to some dark beers.
• Smoky: Some porters and stouts impart a slightly smoky flavour, providing complex, savoury notes.

Types of Dark Beer

Available in various styles, dark beers can have different and unique characteristics depending on their ingredients and how they are brewed. Below, we take a quick look at some of the most popular types of dark beer.

Stout

Known for their thick, creamy texture and rich flavours, stouts — such as Guinness — are among the most popular dark beers.

• Dry Stout: Dry stouts like Guinness are less sweet. The emphasis in these beers is on a coffee-like roasted bitterness.
• Sweet or Milk Stout: These stouts contain lactose, which makes for a sweeter, creamier beer.
• Imperial Stout: With intense flavours of dark chocolate and coffee, these beers have a higher alcohol content.

Porter

Though they are similar to stouts, porters are a little lighter in body and slightly less bitter. Unlike stouts, the addition of malted barley brings out a more chocolatey flavour. Porters offer a good balance of malty sweetness and bitter hoppiness.

Dark Lager

Dark lagers are often popular around Oktoberfest. They are clean and smooth, with a balanced flavour profile that’s less bitter than dark ales.  

Dunkel: The word “Dunkel” is German for “dark.” This German-style bottom-fermented lager is malty and slightly sweet, making it easy to drink. Dunkels typically impart notes of caramel, bread crust, and chocolate. 

Schwarzbier: A German black lager known for its striking opaque black colour, hints of chocolate and coffee flavours with roasted malt and a crisp finish.

Interested in learning more about lager and ale? You may like our post about the differences between Ale and Lager.

Black IPA

Black IPAs combine the traditional hoppy bitterness of IPAs with the roasted malt flavours of stouts. These unique and balanced brews often contain warm, toasty caramel, chocolate, or coffee notes.  

Belgian Dubbel

This strong, brown to copper-coloured Belgian ale is rich with malty sweetness, dark fruity flavours, and a hint of spiciness.

How to Choose the Best Dark Beer

The answer really depends on your personal preference. Just as some may prefer a sweet and creamy latte that’s akin to a dessert and others an intense Arabica roast with no milk or sugar, some people want a thick and robust stout while others would prefer a light lager.

As with most drinks, think of the following factors when choosing your beer:

• Flavours: Do you prefer sweet and malty, bitter or intense roasts, or hoppy flavours?
• Alcohol Content: Dark beers often (though not always) have a higher ABV (Alcohol by Volume). Check the alcohol content of the beer you’d like to try first to make sure it matches your preference.

Dark Beer by Fonthill Brewing Co.

Over at Fonthill Brewing Co, we craft a porter for the colder months of the year. Where’s Me Jumper (4.7%), has a fairly small hopping schedule to allow the malts to carry the flavour. 

“We tend to get it into cask around September to give plenty of conditioning time for all the flavours to come together. After a few tweaks over the past couple of winters, we’re really pleased with the finished recipe using Fuggles and East Kent Golding hops at early and late additions.”

Paul, Head Brewer at Fonthill Brewery

Embrace the Dark Side (And the Depth of Dark Beer)

Dark beers offer a rich and varied tapestry of flavours to explore. Whether you’re looking for a sweet and creamy beer, the chocolatey notes of a stout, the rich and fruity undertones of a Belgian Dubbel, or the malty finish of a Dunkel, there’s a world of dark beers out there to enjoy. Next time you’re nearby, head down to our pub in Tunbridge Wells, where we’ll be glad to share a variety of local, craft, and well-known brands of dark beer!