BJCP 2021 / 2C
International Dark Lager
A smooth dark lager with gentle roast and no harshness.
- Any age
- standard strength
- dark color
- bottom fermented
- lagered
Serve: 40 to 45F, Pint or mug
OG1.120
1.044 to 1.056FG1.030
1.008 to 1.012IBU120
8 to 20SRM40
14 to 30ABV14%
4.2 to 6.0%Taste it in order
Aroma
12 pts- Light roast, caramel or chocolate
- Very faint hop
- Clean
- Vague
- Dark
- Better
- Light roast and caramel
- Best
- Low roasted malt and caramel aroma, faint chocolate, clean lager yeast
Appearance
3 pts- Deep amber to dark brown
- Clear with ruby highlights
- Tan head
- Vague
- Dark
- Better
- Brown with ruby highlights
- Best
- Deep brown with ruby edges when held to light, clear, tan head that fades
Flavor
20 pts- Light roast and caramel sweetness
- Low bitterness
- Smooth, clean finish
- Vague
- Roasty
- Better
- Light roast with some caramel
- Best
- Low roasted malt and caramel sweetness, mild chocolate, low bitterness, smooth clean finish
Mouthfeel
5 pts- Medium-light to medium body
- Medium to high carbonation
- Smooth
- Vague
- Smooth
- Better
- Medium body, smooth
- Best
- Medium-light body, smooth, medium carbonation, no harsh roast bite
Overall Impression
10 ptsLifts it
- Subtle roast
- Clean finish
Drops it
- Burnt acrid roast
- Sweet sticky finish
Writing tip
Separate roast from sweetness. Example: 'Gentle roast and light caramel, smooth finish. Roast character stays in the background.'
Pour these
- Negra ModeloGrupo ModeloToasty caramel with a clean finish
- Shiner BockSpoetzl BreweryLight roast, a smooth finish, sold as a bock but drinks as a dark lager
Often confused with
- 8A Munich DunkelMunich Dunkel has more bready melanoidin and no roast
- 8B SchwarzbierSchwarzbier is drier with more roast and noticeable bitterness
Fine here
- DMS: A trace is tolerated
Ruinous here
- Astringent: Acrid grip from over-roasted grain
- Diacetyl: Butter
- Oxidized: Papery notes
Style names, numbers and vital statistics follow the BJCP 2021 beer guidelines. Descriptions and example choices are our own. Check a beer is still made before you hunt for it.