Discover Dark Lager: What Is It, Where Does it Come From and Why Does It Matter?
It's back, and almost a decade in the making. Meet Dark Lager 2.0.
One of the very first styles we ever brewed at SMALL BEER, Dark Lager holds a special place in our history. First introduced almost nine years ago as a 1% beer, it quickly became a firm favourite, building something of a cult following along the way.
Now, almost a decade later, we're bringing this classic back. Same much-loved style, a new chapter and a little more room to play, with Dark Lager returning at 2% ABV.
But whether you're welcoming back an old favourite or discovering dark lager for the very first time, there's plenty to get stuck into.
WHAT IS DARK LAGER?
For stout and non-stout drinkers alike, it’s an incredibly approachable style. It brings together the rich, roasted character of dark malts, with the crisp refreshing finish of a lager.
Often mistaken for a stout or porter because of it’s deep colour, dark lager is actually brewed using lager yeast and typically fermented and conditioned at cooler temperatures. The result? A beer that delivers plenty of depth and character without losing that clean, refreshing lager finish.
But where did this intriguing style come from, how is it made and what makes it different from other dark beers?
Let’s take a closer look.
WHERE DOES DARK LAGER COME FROM?
Dark lager has its roots in Germany, where brewing traditions have been shaping beer styles for centuries.
Munich, in southern Germany, is particularly well known for Dunkel, a traditional dark lager style. Meanwhile, Schwarzbier, which translates to ‘black beer’, has it’s own history in central and eastern Germany.
Although both are dark lagers, they’re slightly different styles. Dunkel tends to showcase rich and toasted malt flavours, which Schwarzbier is typically much darker in colour with more pronounced roasted notes and a clean, crisp finish.
What they share is a combination of darker malts and traditional lager brewing techniques. It’s this balance that makes dark lager such an interesting style.
WHAT MAKES DARK LAGER DIFFERENT?
So, if dark lager looks a little like a stout or porter, what actually sets it apart?
The difference comes down to how each style of beer is brewed:
- Dark lager: Brewed with lager yeast and typically fermented and conditioned at cooler temperatures. Dark malts bring notes of toast, coffee and chocolate, whilst lagering helps create a clean crisp finish.
- Porter: Traditionally an ale, brewed with ale yeast, and known for it;s dark colour. Often richer and more full-bodied, it offers deep chocolate, caramel and roasted flavours.
- Stout: Another traditional ale style, recognised for its roasted character, with flavours ranging from coffee and dark chocolate to toasted grain.
Dark doesn’t have to mean heavy, and that’s exactly what makes this style so special.
INTRODUCING DARK LAGER 2.0
At SMALL BEER, we’ve always enjoyed challenging expectations of what a beer can be. And dark lager is a perfect example.
Our original Dark Lager was one of the first recipes developed by co-founder Felix James, alongside our SMALL BEER Lager. First brewed at just 1% ABV, it became something of a cult classic, proving that darker beer styles could deliver on flavour without relying on higher alcohol content.
So, why bring it back?
For our Head Brewer, Ben March, it was an opportunity to revive a much-loved SMALL BEER original, while bringing it back in line with our signature mid-strength ABV. It was also a chance to brew a recipe he’d never actually had the opportunity to make himself.
Returning at 2% ABV, the new release stays true to its original recipe, with the same character that made it a favourite in the first place.
A six-week lagering process allows the flavours to develop and balance beautifully. Expect a roasted coffee aroma with notes of Stout-like cacao, brought together with chocolate and black malts, a bright hop backbone and the crisp, clean finish of a Pilsner.
This is our classic, revived.
