Good Dark Beers

Airhog · 01-21-2005, 06:15 PM

The only beer I have ever remotely enjoyed has been Sapporo Dark. However, i can no longer find it anywhere, so I wonder if anyone else had some good dark beer suggestions.

Coffee Warlord · 01-21-2005, 06:20 PM

Guinness.

Schmidty · 01-21-2005, 06:29 PM

Well, I am a beer connoisseur, so I can think of many favorites, but it would depend on the characteristics that you enjoy in beer. Let me look up Sapporro Dark and if I can find some good matches. (www.beeradvocate.com is one of my favorite sites.)

Schmidty · 01-21-2005, 06:32 PM

Dola-

Before I come back with some good matches, here's a quickie that almost everyone loves: Oatmeal Stout (particularly Samuel Smith's, Young's, or Bell's).

cthomer5000 · 01-21-2005, 06:44 PM

I'm a big fan of Heineken Special Dark (or Dark Import or something like that... they changed the name recently).

SlapBone · 01-21-2005, 06:44 PM

Pete's Wicked Ale
Chimay Blue Label
Arrogant Bastard Ale

Schmidty · 01-21-2005, 06:45 PM

After a quick inspection, I can't find a "Sapporo Dark". The closest thing I can find is a "Sapporo Black" from Sapporo Breweries Ltd. This beer doesn't appear to me to be an actual "dark" beer (stouts, porters, etc.), but more like a typical european amber ale.

In that case, I have a ton of recommendations depending on your region. I have my favorites, but some are tougher to get now that I'm out west. There a few decent, cheap ones out here such as Alaskan Amber, or New Belgium's Fat Tire Ale. Let me know more info and I'll hook you up.

SlapBone · 01-21-2005, 06:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schmidty

A

In that case, I have a ton of recommendations depending on your region. I have my favorites, but some are tougher to get now that I'm out west. There a few decent, cheap ones out here such as Alaskan Amber, or New Belgium's Fat Tire Ale. Let me know more info and I'll hook you up.

Oh...I thought he was asking for a DARK beer

SlapBone · 01-21-2005, 06:49 PM

Dola

New Belgium's 1554 is rather DARK.

Senator · 01-21-2005, 06:50 PM

I consider Bass pretty dark but I know nothing of beers really.

Schmidty · 01-21-2005, 06:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SlapBone

Dola

New Belgium's 1554 is rather DARK.

New Belgium's Trippel is the cheapest way to get buzzed in history, and it tastes GREAT!!!

Schmidty · 01-21-2005, 07:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SlapBone

Oh...I thought he was asking for a DARK beer

Those two reccomendations are for people that think they want to drink "dark" beer, but would in actually gag the first time they tasted the smokey, hoppy taste of uber stout or the carmel, peaty taste of a real scotch ale. People like my wife.

Crapshoot · 01-21-2005, 07:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coffee Warlord

Guinness.

What he said...

Crapshoot · 01-21-2005, 07:05 PM

Also, Bass is pretty good - but its very much a beer you like or dislike strongly...

gi · 01-21-2005, 07:05 PM

Stony Creek Vanilla Porter is a good dark beer. Sam Adams makes a somewhat decent dark beer. Caffrey's is my favorite, but a good dark beer is nice on that taste buds every once in a while.

JonInMiddleGA · 01-21-2005, 07:05 PM

I can't seem to find any "official" mention of Sapporo Dark, but Googling it in quotation marks produces numerous references from both restaurant menus/reviews as well as beer conversation on a variety of bulletin boards. One of those conversations even says specificially that this is different than Sapporo Black, and a couple of others describe it as being especially hard to find.

Now, to the original question

There's Guinness, and then there's everything else.

Okay, that said, among the "everything else" possibilities, you might consider some of these that I've found at least tolerable:

--cheap from the grocery store: St.Pauli Girl Special Dark
--dining out: Negra Modela (one of the best beer "surprises" I ever tried)
--Just in case you find it: Sam Adams Double Bock (limited run/seasonal beer that I never seem to find but really enjoyed when I did)

gi · 01-21-2005, 07:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JonInMiddleGA

--Just in case you find it: Sam Adams Double Bock (limited run/seasonal beer that I never seem to find but really enjoyed when I did)

I still have a bottle of the triple bock I am reserving for a special occasion.

JonInMiddleGA · 01-21-2005, 07:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gi

I still have a bottle of the triple bock I am reserving for a special occasion.

Airhog · 01-21-2005, 07:10 PM

Thanks for the suggestions, I will have to try guinness next then

Schmidty · 01-21-2005, 07:11 PM

Ok, since everyone else is giving you a few easily acqiured beers, I'll give mine an then shut up:

Samuel Smith's Oatmeal Stout

Samuel Smith's Imperial Stout

Rogue Ale's Shakespear Stout

I can't can't stop myself from talking about beer, so you may hear from me again in this thread despite myself.......

terpkristin · 01-21-2005, 07:11 PM

I second Samuel Smith's Oatmeal Stout.
Youngs makes some great stouts. I especially like the double chocolate stout.
Oddly enough, Sam Adams' Cream Stout isn't bad.
I also second Guinness (WOOT! CW!)
Porters are nice, too. I had a maple porter one time. Wow, that was insanely good. It was made by a local brewery, though, and I don't believe they bottle it (damn shame, too). But I imagine others might make one.

Yum.
Now I want beer, dang it..
~tk

Schmidty · 01-21-2005, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by terpkristin

I especially like the double chocolate stout.
~tk

Hell yeah! I love the cans with the little plastic ball in them. The only problem with this stout is that I can only drink 2 before it's just too rich for me.

JimboJ · 01-21-2005, 07:23 PM

I saw that double chocalate stout, and was going to try it, then I looked at the price. I think it was close to $40 for a case!

Does it really taste like chocolate? Seems like the perfect beverage for a chocoholic/alcoholic like me.

Coffee Warlord · 01-21-2005, 07:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by terpkristin

Now I want beer, dang it..
~tk

Half hour till my friends arrive and it becomes Guinness time!

Neener neener.

Schmidty · 01-21-2005, 07:33 PM

I'm drinking a glass of white wine with dinner. I feel like such a pussy.

terpkristin · 01-21-2005, 07:34 PM

*contemplates going out to get beer, now that everybody else is having some*

Logan · 01-21-2005, 07:39 PM

Natty Light.

digamma · 01-21-2005, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gi

I still have a bottle of the triple bock I am reserving for a special occasion.

I've had one bottle of Triple Bock. I'm also a huge fan of Double Bock when I find it. And the Cream Stout someone else mentioned.

thesloppy · 01-21-2005, 08:21 PM

Deschutes' Black Butte Porter = best beer ever, closely followed by their Obsidian stout. Although that information is probably near useless for anybody outside of the NW.

clintl · 01-21-2005, 08:22 PM

Black Butte Porter is indeed excellent.

Anchor Porter is another good one.

gi · 01-21-2005, 08:22 PM

Got a big bottle of chocolate bock too...mmmmm......

ice4277 · 01-21-2005, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schmidty

Bell's

Great stuff. I was in K-Zoo last weekend and greatly enjoyed downing a couple of Sledgehammers at Bilbo's before the Western/MSU hockey game. Good times.

Raven Hawk · 01-21-2005, 08:59 PM

Here are my favorites, most have been listed, so I'll throw a resounding "Second!" on those:

1. Samuel Smith's Imperial Stout
2. Samuel Smith's Oatmeal Stout
3. Guiness Stout
4. MacEwan's Scotch Ale

scooter · 01-21-2005, 09:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schmidty

Well, I am a beer connoisseur. . .

How could you not be with Boundary Bay Brewery in your backyard!

My wife is a homebrewer and currently has six beers on tap (pale ale, porter, and 4 kinds of belgians). Anyone want directions on how to get here?

gi · 01-21-2005, 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scooter

How could you not be with Boundary Bay Brewery in your backyard!

My wife is a homebrewer and currently has six beers on tap (pale ale, porter, and 4 kinds of belgians). Anyone want directions on how to get here?

Raises hand.

Schmidty · 01-21-2005, 09:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scooter

How could you not be with Boundary Bay Brewery in your backyard!

My wife is a homebrewer and currently has six beers on tap (pale ale, porter, and 4 kinds of belgians). Anyone want directions on how to get here?

Well, I just moved out here about a year ago and have a family, so I don't have a lot of time to explore what's not in my local distributor. Not only that, but I miss all of my favorites from the midwest (particularly Michligan, my home state).

I'll definitely check out Boundary Bay now though.

Schmidty · 01-21-2005, 09:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gi

Raises hand.

I think he means Washington, since I'm here now. :P

scooter · 01-21-2005, 09:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gi

Raises hand.

Drive west, when you hit the Pacific Ocean, turn right. We're right there

scooter · 01-21-2005, 09:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schmidty

I'll definitely check out Boundary Bay now though.

My wife is the beer geek in our family. She said to check out the Fairhaven Red Apple market for a good selection of beers.

She also wanted to let you know that there is a beer festival next weekend (Jan 29) in Port Townsend. Great selection of local breweries will be represented. PM me if you want more info.

AlexB · 01-21-2005, 09:49 PM

Go Irish/Northern English: Caffreys, Guiness Bitter (if you can find it - think it's only in cans), Kilkenny's, John Smith's Smooth, Boddie's Gold (Boddington's Gold) - can't go wrong!

timmynausea · 01-21-2005, 09:56 PM

Bell's is the best.

Loren · 01-21-2005, 10:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SlapBone

Pete's Wicked Ale
Chimay Blue Label
Arrogant Bastard Ale

I dont drink except maybe a dos equis once a year, but I buy the man here Arrogant Bastard Ale (wonder whyyy

) and he loves it, soo I'll second this on his behalf.. I had a taste of it and wanted to cut off my tongue

GoldenEagle · 01-21-2005, 10:31 PM

No true Texans have posted in this thread yet.

Honolulu_Blue · 01-21-2005, 10:32 PM

Bell's is great. Love that beer.

Certainly can't go wrong with Guinness.

Though, after spending 3 years in Belgium, there are a ton of glorious dark Belgium beers:

Leffe Brune
Chimay (Blue, White, or Red)
Grimbergen Brown

All solid beers. Chimay Blue and the Grimbergen are guaranteed to get your fucked up quickly.

There are a ton of other good Belgian beers. I do miss them.

Honolulu_Blue · 01-21-2005, 10:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoldenEagle

No true Texans have posted in this thread yet.

Shiner Bock? That's a dark beer. Man, I love that stuff.

terpkristin · 01-21-2005, 10:50 PM

Hey, I'm a true Texan.
Born in Dallas, baby.

~tk

GoldenEagle · 01-21-2005, 10:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Honolulu_Blue

Shiner Bock? That's a dark beer. Man, I love that stuff.

Ding Ding Ding

Where is JeeberD at when you need him?

Noop · 01-21-2005, 10:54 PM

Rubber ur self....with the ice cold beer...slowly do that is goes down smooth... I am perv let me leave... slowly............ ..... .... ... .. .

JeeberD · 01-21-2005, 11:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoldenEagle

Ding Ding Ding

Where is JeeberD at when you need him?

Computer troubles all day, just got 'em figured out.

I LOVE me some Shiner. Best friggin' beer there is...

gi · 01-21-2005, 11:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scooter

Drive west, when you hit the Pacific Ocean, turn right. We're right there

Go that way, really, really fast. If something gets in your way, turn.

01-21-2005, 06:29 PM	#3
Schmidty Coordinator Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Early, TX	Well, I am a beer connoisseur, so I can think of many favorites, but it would depend on the characteristics that you enjoy in beer. Let me look up Sapporro Dark and if I can find some good matches. (www.beeradvocate.com is one of my favorite sites.) __________________ Just beat the devil out of it!!! - Bob Ross

01-21-2005, 06:32 PM	#4
Schmidty Coordinator Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Early, TX	Dola- Before I come back with some good matches, here's a quickie that almost everyone loves: Oatmeal Stout (particularly Samuel Smith's, Young's, or Bell's). __________________ Just beat the devil out of it!!! - Bob Ross

01-21-2005, 06:45 PM	#7
Schmidty Coordinator Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Early, TX	After a quick inspection, I can't find a "Sapporo Dark". The closest thing I can find is a "Sapporo Black" from Sapporo Breweries Ltd. This beer doesn't appear to me to be an actual "dark" beer (stouts, porters, etc.), but more like a typical european amber ale. In that case, I have a ton of recommendations depending on your region. I have my favorites, but some are tougher to get now that I'm out west. There a few decent, cheap ones out here such as Alaskan Amber, or New Belgium's Fat Tire Ale. Let me know more info and I'll hook you up. __________________ Just beat the devil out of it!!! - Bob Ross

01-21-2005, 06:50 PM	#10
Senator FOFC's Elected Representative Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: The stars at night; are big and bright	I consider Bass pretty dark but I know nothing of beers really. __________________ "i have seen chris simms play 4-5 times in the pros and he's very clearly got it. he won't make a pro bowl this year, but it'll come. if you don't like me saying that, so be it, but its true. we'll just have to wait until then" imettrentgreen "looking at only ten games, and oddly using a median only, leaves me unmoved generally" - Quiksand

01-21-2005, 07:05 PM	#16
JonInMiddleGA Hall Of Famer Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Behind Enemy Lines in Athens, GA	I can't seem to find any "official" mention of Sapporo Dark, but Googling it in quotation marks produces numerous references from both restaurant menus/reviews as well as beer conversation on a variety of bulletin boards. One of those conversations even says specificially that this is different than Sapporo Black, and a couple of others describe it as being especially hard to find. Now, to the original question There's Guinness, and then there's everything else. Okay, that said, among the "everything else" possibilities, you might consider some of these that I've found at least tolerable: --cheap from the grocery store: St.Pauli Girl Special Dark --dining out: Negra Modela (one of the best beer "surprises" I ever tried) --Just in case you find it: Sam Adams Double Bock (limited run/seasonal beer that I never seem to find but really enjoyed when I did) __________________ "I lit another cigarette. Unless I specifically inform you to the contrary, I am always lighting another cigarette." - from a novel by Martin Amis

01-21-2005, 06:20 PM	#2
Coffee Warlord Head Coach Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Colorado Springs	Guinness.

01-21-2005, 06:44 PM	#6
SlapBone High School JV Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Houston, Texas	Pete's Wicked Ale Chimay Blue Label Arrogant Bastard Ale

01-21-2005, 06:49 PM	#9
SlapBone High School JV Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Houston, Texas	Dola New Belgium's 1554 is rather DARK.

01-21-2005, 07:05 PM	#14
Crapshoot Grizzled Veteran Join Date: Dec 2003	Also, Bass is pretty good - but its very much a beer you like or dislike strongly...

01-21-2005, 07:05 PM	#15
gi College Prospect Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Berkley, MI	Stony Creek Vanilla Porter is a good dark beer. Sam Adams makes a somewhat decent dark beer. Caffrey's is my favorite, but a good dark beer is nice on that taste buds every once in a while.

01-21-2005, 07:10 PM	#19
Airhog Captain Obvious Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Norman, Oklahoma	Thanks for the suggestions, I will have to try guinness next then __________________ Thread Killer extraordinaire Yay! its football season once again!

01-21-2005, 07:11 PM	#20
Schmidty Coordinator Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Early, TX	Ok, since everyone else is giving you a few easily acqiured beers, I'll give mine an then shut up: Samuel Smith's Oatmeal Stout Samuel Smith's Imperial Stout Rogue Ale's Shakespear Stout I can't can't stop myself from talking about beer, so you may hear from me again in this thread despite myself....... __________________ Just beat the devil out of it!!! - Bob Ross

01-21-2005, 07:11 PM	#21
terpkristin Grizzled Veteran Join Date: May 2003 Location: Ashburn, VA	I second Samuel Smith's Oatmeal Stout. Youngs makes some great stouts. I especially like the double chocolate stout. Oddly enough, Sam Adams' Cream Stout isn't bad. I also second Guinness (WOOT! CW!) Porters are nice, too. I had a maple porter one time. Wow, that was insanely good. It was made by a local brewery, though, and I don't believe they bottle it (damn shame, too). But I imagine others might make one. Yum. Now I want beer, dang it.. ~tk __________________ GO TERPS! https://www.flickr.com/photos/terpkristin https://twitter.com/terpkristin

01-21-2005, 07:23 PM	#23
JimboJ High School Varsity Join Date: Aug 2003	I saw that double chocalate stout, and was going to try it, then I looked at the price. I think it was close to $40 for a case! Does it really taste like chocolate? Seems like the perfect beverage for a chocoholic/alcoholic like me.

01-21-2005, 07:33 PM	#25
Schmidty Coordinator Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Early, TX	I'm drinking a glass of white wine with dinner. I feel like such a pussy. __________________ Just beat the devil out of it!!! - Bob Ross

01-21-2005, 07:34 PM	#26
terpkristin Grizzled Veteran Join Date: May 2003 Location: Ashburn, VA	contemplates going out to get beer, now that everybody else is having some __________________ GO TERPS! https://www.flickr.com/photos/terpkristin https://twitter.com/terpkristin

01-21-2005, 07:39 PM	#27
Logan Head Coach Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: NYC	Natty Light.

01-21-2005, 08:21 PM	#29
thesloppy Pro Starter Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: PDX	Deschutes' Black Butte Porter = best beer ever, closely followed by their Obsidian stout. Although that information is probably near useless for anybody outside of the NW.

01-21-2005, 08:22 PM	#30
clintl College Starter Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Davis, CA	Black Butte Porter is indeed excellent. Anchor Porter is another good one.

01-21-2005, 08:59 PM	#33
Raven Hawk College Starter Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Thunderdome	Here are my favorites, most have been listed, so I'll throw a resounding "Second!" on those: 1. Samuel Smith's Imperial Stout 2. Samuel Smith's Oatmeal Stout 3. Guiness Stout 4. MacEwan's Scotch Ale __________________ Owner of The Shreveport Pride in The CFL

01-21-2005, 09:49 PM	#40
AlexB Pro Starter Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Newbury, England	Go Irish/Northern English: Caffreys, Guiness Bitter (if you can find it - think it's only in cans), Kilkenny's, John Smith's Smooth, Boddie's Gold (Boddington's Gold) - can't go wrong!

01-21-2005, 09:56 PM	#41
timmynausea College Starter Join Date: Dec 2002	Bell's is the best.

01-21-2005, 10:31 PM	#43
GoldenEagle Grizzled Veteran Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Little Rock, AR	No true Texans have posted in this thread yet. __________________ Xbox 360 Gamer Tag: GoldenEagle014

01-21-2005, 10:32 PM	#44
Honolulu_Blue Hockey Boy Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Royal Oak, MI	Bell's is great. Love that beer. Certainly can't go wrong with Guinness. Though, after spending 3 years in Belgium, there are a ton of glorious dark Belgium beers: Leffe Brune Chimay (Blue, White, or Red) Grimbergen Brown All solid beers. Chimay Blue and the Grimbergen are guaranteed to get your fucked up quickly. There are a ton of other good Belgian beers. I do miss them. __________________ *Steve Yzerman*: 1,755 points in 1,514 regular season games. 185 points in 196 postseason games. A First-Team All-Star, Conn Smythe Trophy winner, Selke Trophy winner, Masterton Trophy winner, member of the Hockey Hall of Fame, Olympic gold medallist, and a three-time Stanley Cup Champion. Longest serving captain of one team in the history of the NHL (19 seasons).

01-21-2005, 10:50 PM	#46
terpkristin Grizzled Veteran Join Date: May 2003 Location: Ashburn, VA	Hey, I'm a true Texan. Born in Dallas, baby. ~tk __________________ GO TERPS! https://www.flickr.com/photos/terpkristin https://twitter.com/terpkristin

01-21-2005, 10:54 PM	#48
Noop Bonafide Seminole Fan Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Florida	Rubber ur self....with the ice cold beer...slowly do that is goes down smooth... I am perv let me leave... slowly............ ..... .... ... .. . __________________ Living in an Oligarchy.

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