Good Dark Beers

[Airhog]

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]

Guinness. :)

[Schmidty]

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]

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]

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

[SlapBone]

Pete's Wicked Ale
Chimay Blue Label
Arrogant Bastard Ale

[Schmidty]

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]

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]

Dola

New Belgium's 1554 is rather DARK.

[Senator]

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

[Schmidty]

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]

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]

Guinness. :)

What he said...

[Crapshoot]

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

[gi]

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]

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]

--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]

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


:mad:

[Airhog]

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

[Schmidty]

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]

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]

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]

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]

Now I want beer, dang it..
~tk

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

Neener neener. :)

[Schmidty]

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

[terpkristin]

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

:D

[Logan]

Natty Light.

[digamma]

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]

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]

Black Butte Porter is indeed excellent.

Anchor Porter is another good one.

[gi]

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

[ice4277]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

Raises hand.

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

[scooter]

Raises hand.

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

[scooter]

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]

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]

Bell's is the best.

[Loren]

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 :confused: ) 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]

No true Texans have posted in this thread yet.

[Honolulu_Blue]

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]

No true Texans have posted in this thread yet.
Shiner Bock? That's a dark beer. Man, I love that stuff.

[terpkristin]

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

~tk

[GoldenEagle]

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

Where is JeeberD at when you need him?

[Noop]

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

[JeeberD]

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]

Drive west, when you hit the Pacific Ocean, turn right. We're right there :D
Go that way, really, really fast. If something gets in your way, turn.

:D

[WSUCougar]

Rogue Ale's Shakespear Stout
Best. Stout. Ever.

[terpkristin]

If any of you are ever in the DC area, be sure to check out The Brickskeller downtown. They hold the Guinness Book of World Records for most beers available (or something like that). Their list includes many unique beers from all around the world (organized by country of origin), which is how I've tried some of the ones talked about here. And hell, if you're going to Brickskeller, call me. I'll go with ya ;)

~tk

[rockboy70]

If any of you are ever in the DC area, be sure to check out The Brickskeller downtown. They hold the Guinness Book of World Records for most beers available (or something like that). Their list includes many unique beers from all around the world (organized by country of origin), which is how I've tried some of the ones talked about here. And hell, if you're going to Brickskeller, call me. I'll go with ya ;)

~tk

I second the Brickskeller. Been to DC twice, and went there both times. Last time me and three buddies had a bar tab literally a yard long with all the different beers we tried. It would have been even more scary if we didn't have to leave early to catch the metro back to the hotel.

[McSweeny]

Nothing beats Guinness Draught. Nothing.

and i have several in the fridge waiting to be consumed during the blizzard :)

[terpkristin]

When we went to Brickskeller for my 23rd birthday, we ran a $500 tab. :D

Granted, there were probably 25 of us there all said and done. It was a VERY good thing I wasn't driving.

As for the snow...dammit, I should've gone out and bought beer last night. All I gots here is hard cider (which I keep on hand for when a friend of mine who's allergic to beer comes by) and liquor. But I really want a stout!!!

~tk

[Coffee Warlord]

Nothing beats Guinness Draught. Nothing.

and i have several in the fridge waiting to be consumed during the blizzard :)

Trouble is, bottled Guinness or canned Guinness...suck. The ONLY way to drink it is on tap.

I need to build a kegerator and set up my own personal guinness dispensing unit. :)

[McSweeny]

Trouble is, bottled Guinness or canned Guinness...suck. The ONLY way to drink it is on tap.

I need to build a kegerator and set up my own personal guinness dispensing unit. :)

true, on tap is far and away the best

i hear lots of people say they don't like it in cans or in bottles, but i like it just fine in either bottle or can form

[McSweeny]

I need to build a kegerator and set up my own personal guinness dispensing unit. :)

dola

my buddy has been rummaging around dumps and landfills for pieces of old refridgerators so he can build his own kegerator. He was less than satisfied with the prices kegerators go for. Yes, he's a bit of a whack job, but it will be pretty sweet if he ever finishes it

[Daimyo]

Guiness and Negra Modela are my favorite easy to get dark beers.

[Coffee Warlord]

i hear lots of people say they don't like it in cans or in bottles, but i like it just fine in either bottle or can form

I'm certainly one of them.

I'd much rather buy a good hefeweizen (my second favorite type of beer, next to stout) for home consumption than Guinness.

[Cringer]

hefeweizen is a favorite of mine too CW. Henry Weinhard's being my choice just because I'm a northwest boy...

And as someone answered for me already, I love...

Arrogant Bastard Ale (http://www.bottledbeer.co.uk/index.html?beerid=420)

Stone Brewing Co.
Arrogant Bastard Ale

ABV 7.2% • Vol 651 ml • bottle • USA • Mid-price • Flavour 7.5
Other beers from Stone Brewing Co.
Other beers from USA

This large, printed, brown bottle is covered with abuse, suggesting, for example, that you (the drinker) are 'not worthy', along with a tirade on the back suggesting that you're not sophisticated enough to appreciate such an aggressive beer. 'Keep Refrigerated Numbskull!!' is another example of this - so we chilled before sampling. It pours a pleasant chestnut brown colour, with a fine-bubbled, long-lasting head. The nose is leather and pine, with vegetal, perhaps nettly, hops and a touch of light citrus fruit. However, this doesn't leave you prepared for the flavours that assault you on drinking...
In the mouth it is immediately bitter, astringently so, with nutty, treacly malt flavours bursting through. This bitterness lasts throughout and lingers for absolutely ages. It is very dry indeed, but with a balancing grainy malt body that still leaves the palate clean. There are tantalising glimpses of other flavours, such as grapes or red fruit, but it's very difficult to pick these out from the massive bitter onslaught. Hop character is very metallic and minerally, slightly nettly, slightly earthy. Alcohol is evident as a rich, warming sensation accompanying the bitterness - though the strength is easy to underestimate. Finish is of very bitter dark treacle, lingering as a malty bitterness that takes a long time to fade.
Aggressive? For sure. Arrogant? Certainly. But it's got plenty to be arrogant about - this is an excellent ale. As long as you can handle the relentless bitterness.

[WSUCougar]

You hefe fans need to check out Schlafly's The Tap Room (or Bottleworks) in STL. Best hefeweizen I've ever had.

[WSUCougar]

dola
Henry Weinhard's being my choice just because I'm a northwest boy...
Wow, a kindred spirit! "I'll have a Henry's" is all it takes. That takes me back...

[Cringer]

dola

Wow, a kindred spirit! "I'll have a Henry's" is all it takes. That takes me back...

Good stuff, not world class or anything but a beer that I always love to get a couple cases of and bring home when I get up that way on vacations.

[Terps]

Mackeson's XXX Stout.

[Qwikshot]

The only way I survived in England was on a diet of Guinness. That smooth creamy taste...mmmmmmm

We had just gotten off the plane, smack dab in London, we head to the first pub we can find, the waiter has a multicolored mohawk. He asked what I wanted to eat...

"I'll have a pint"

And all was right with the world...

[Qwikshot]

I'm certainly one of them.

I'd much rather buy a good hefeweizen (my second favorite type of beer, next to stout) for home consumption than Guinness.
When I was in Germany, I did so enjoy their beer. And the quantity they gave you, is like America's fast food quanity for soda...

Fantastic...wish I was heading back there again.

[Coffee Warlord]

Alright Qwik. When all goes well and I manage a trip to Europe...you're coming with. :)

[Qwikshot]

Alright Qwik. When all goes well and I manage a trip to Europe...you're coming with. :) Cool...I don't eat much, I don't complain, and I'm a happy drunk.

[Cringer]

Cool...I don't eat much, I don't complain, and I'm a happy drunk.

Do you look good in a cheerleader or schoolgirl uniform too? :D

[moriarty]

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

Guinness rules ... period.

If at all possible, get it on tap (preferrably from an authentic irish bar who cares about keeping it fresh). If you want it at home, get the cans - they have the widget to give you the foamy head. Second best is the bottles with the widgets. Don't even try the older bottles without the widgets (if they still sell them). And if you ever get a chance to try fresh in Dublin ... oh, my.

Also, if it's your first time drinking Guinness, don't just jump right in. You have to let it settle. Wait a minute or so after pouring (you'll see the rich head forming) before you savor. Enjoy.

If you're one of the rare individuals who tries a few Guinness and decide you don't like it, then I highly recommend trying Murhpy's stout. Also, Samuel Smith's Oatmeal stout is quite good as well.

[ice4277]

If you're one of the rare individuals who tries a few Guinness and decide you don't like it, then I highly recommend trying Murhpy's stout.
I'm one of the 'doesn't like Guiness' crowd, but when I was in London I could drink nothing bu Murphy's. Good stuff.

[JeeberD]

Alright Qwik. When all goes well and I manage a trip to Europe...you're coming with. :)

I wanna go!

I miss Germany... :(

[Kevin]

Nothing beats Guinness Draught. Nothing.

and i have several in the fridge waiting to be consumed during the blizzard :)

For God's sake, get it out of the fridge! You'll ruin it! Keep it in the basement so it's slightly below room temperature. Beer is like wine. The darker the colour, the warmer you serve it.

[gi]

For God's sake, get it out of the fridge! You'll ruin it! Keep it in the basement so it's slightly below room temperature. Beer is like wine. The darker the colour, the warmer you serve it. Cellar temp is best. Around 50 degrees. I do think the lighter creamy beers taste good at that temp. Caffrey's and Kilkenny are my favorite at that temp.

[andy m]

samuel smith's taddy porter
fullers london porter
bombardier
theakstons old peculiar

are good and dark.

[gi]

Oh and I emptied my liter of Sam Adams Chocolate Bock last weekend. Very good.

[Fritz]

Black Radish Beer made by the Weeping Radish (http://www.weepingradish.com/) is my favorite brew

[JonInMiddleGA]

For God's sake, get it out of the fridge! You'll ruin it! Keep it in the basement so it's slightly below room temperature. Beer is like wine. The darker the colour, the warmer you serve it.

Thank you Kevin.

I don't know how in the heck I let that crime in progress escape my attention.

{wanders off mumbling something about "cold Guinness ... BAH !"}

[Alf]

- Guinness
- Beamish
- Murphy's

[HighandOutside]

Do yourself a big favor and try Penn Dark from the Pennsylvania Brewing Company. Yuengling Porter is very good as well.

http://www.pennbrew.com/

http://yuengling.com/

[SlapBone]

Ding Ding Ding

Where is JeeberD at when you need him?

Dude... Shiner is what my 4-year old drinks.

In all seriousness Shiner was the first beer I was exposed to in college. Now... It's just way too common but I still love the stuff. It is what I drink at the astro games. In the early nineties you were lucky to find it anywhere but Spec's here in Houston.