ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT
DARK BEERS IN ONE PLACE
Embrace the chill with flavour this winter
As the crisp chill of winter creeps in, what better way to snuggle up than to crack a can of something dark, rich, and toasty?
You got it! It’s time to embrace the season and dive headfirst into the tantalising world of dark beer as your preferred winter warmer. From Stouts to Porters, Dark Ales, and even the creamy delights of Milk Stouts, all the tips needed for embarking on a flavour-filled journey through the cold weather are here!
Why are dark beers, dark?
It’s all about the base! Where IPA’s are all about the hops, malt played second fiddle. In dark beers, it’s the opposite. Malt gives the dark beer gives dark beer its colour and, more importantly, its toasty aroma and flavour.
Malt is simply barley, germinated and kilned. Germination unlocks the sugars barley stores as a starch so the yeast can turn those sugars into alcohol. Kilning stops the barley from fully sprouting, and depending on how hot and in what way the barley is kilned, different malts are made.
Base malts like Pale and Pilsen are kilned slowly and form the base for most dark beers. Specialty malts are kilned hotter, some to the point of roasting. There are also crystal malts that are stewed to caramelise the sugars.
Malts like Munich, Vienna, brown, chocolate, and black patent malts make for dark beers with roasted flavours, sweet flavours, coffee flavours, and even burnt toast flavours. The ratio of these malts to base malts makes for a staggering range of different types and flavours of beer.
Dark beers can range from surprisingly light-bodied to rich and creamy. They can be as sweet as milk chocolate or as bitter as burnt coffee. Here’s a quick tour of the most popular styles.
STOUTS 101
Let’s kick things off with Stouts. These bad boys are like a warm hug for your taste buds, boasting a bold, roasted flavour profile that’s just begging to be savoured fireside or in the cozy confines of your man cave (if you’re lucky enough to have one!)
The term “stout” once referred to a stronger beer. Strong porters were called stout porters, then just “stouts.” In addition to more alcohol, stouts are usually drier and roastier than porters.
Imperial Stout
Originally brewed by British brewers for Russia’s Catherine the Great, Imperial Stouts are big, boozy, mildly bitter beers that lend themselves nicely to aging — especially in wood barrels once used for whisky or bourbon, giving the stout oaky, vanilla flavours.
PERFECT TIME FOR PORTERS
The Porter got its name from the dock workers in early 18th century London who favoured the dark, heavy, usually aged beer. Often overshadowed by their Stout counterparts, Porters are the unsung heroes of the dark beer world. They’re rich, they’re complex, and they’re downright delicious. Think of them as Stouts’ slightly lighter, more approachable siblings. With their slightly, lighter colour, lacking the stronger roasted bitterness of a Stout, with sumptuous notes of chocolate, toffee, and maybe even a hint of nuttiness, Porters are the ultimate companion for a chilly evening spent indoors. And for the adventurous souls out there, why not give a Milk Stout a try? It’s the perfect balance of rich, malty goodness with that creamy twist we all love.
Here's the twist – enter Milk Stouts.
Also known as a “Sweet Stout” Milk Stouts have the milk sugar lactose added to the fermentation. Yeast can’t digest lactose and what remains gives the beer a hint of sweetness and an extremely silky mouthfeel.
These crafty cans take the stout experience to a whole new level with their creamy texture and subtly sweet finish, thanks to the addition of lactose. It’s like dessert in a glass, without any of the guilt. Imagine indulging in a pint of silky goodness, perhaps with a tantalising hints of chocolate or a whisper of vanilla. Pure bliss, right?
oatmeal stouts
Not surprisingly, oats are added to the grain bill of an Oatmeal Stout. Oats impart a creaminess and rounder mouthfeel, similar to milk stouts, but tend to offer a bit less sweetness.
come to the dark side
Dark Ales
While they may not be as well-known as Stouts and Porters, Dark Ales pack a flavourful punch. From smooth and malty to bold and hoppy, these beers come in all shapes and sizes. Some even boast a subtle fruity twist that adds an exciting new dimension to your drinking experience. So, next time you’re filling your beer cart, don’t overlook the Dark Ale section – you might stumble upon your new favourite winter brew!
Dark Lager
Dark Lagers are created from well-roasted barley and hops. This blend adds richness to the final beer and plenty of unique flavours.
Black IPA
Black IPA is an IPA that uses a bit of dark specialty malts to turn the beer inky black. These are generally nicely balanced beers — with the strong, bright hops offsetting the rich and toasted notes from the malt.
Cheers to the season of dark, toasty indulgence!
So, there you have it – a crash course in dark beer – an all you need to know about Dark Beer as your favourite winter warmers, complete with a milky twist! Whether you’re cuddled up at home or braving the elements and heading out, raise a glass to these cold-weather champions. Stouts, porters, dark ales, and milk stouts – they’re all here to keep you warm, toasty and happily buzzed until spring rolls around.
Be sure to check out some of our favourite winter warmers below!
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