93 Primator Dark Lager, Pivovar Nachod (Czech Republic). 4.8% ABV (11/09)
Deep mahogany brown color. Lavish aromas of roasted nuts, honeyed dried peach, and artisanal chocolate follow through on a round, frothy entry to a fruity-yet-dry medium-to-full body with earthy hops and superb balance and crisp drinkability.
93 Hofbräu Dunkel, Hofbräuhaus München (Germany). 5.5% ABV (11/11)
Deep copper brown color. Rich caramelized nut, dark peach bread, and melted chocolate aromas with a supple, dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body and a rich roasted corn and kale-accented finish. A delicious robust dark lager.
93 Ayinger Altbairisch Dunkel, Privatbrauerei Aying (Germany). 5% ABV (11/11)
Deep copper brown color. Aromas of dark roasted grains, malted toffee, and mocha with a delicate hint of dried spiced meat with a supple, dryish medium-to-full body and a touch of melted wax, saffron and turmeric on the frothy, creamy, grilled root vegetable-accented finish. A robust, earthy beer with tons of flavor.
92 Dunkel, Privatbrauerei Hofmühl (Germany). 4.9% ABV (11/11)
Deep chestnut brown color. Mild roasted nut and toast aromas with a supple dryish medium body and a crisp, cocoa and pepper-accented finish. A clean, precise dunkel.
90 Hermann’s Dark Lager, Vancouver Island Brewery (Canada). 5.5% ABV (11/09)
Aromas of baker’s chocolate, smoked jerky, and crayon follow through on a soft, frothy entry to a dryish medium body with creamy milk chocolate mousse and molasses drizzled nut notes. Finishes with a smooth, mild light hop fade. A very tasty, easygoing dark lager.
90 Capital Dark Lager, Capital Brewery (WI). 5.4% ABV (11/09)
Deep copper brown color. Lightly yeasty bread dough, dried fruit, and toffee aromas follow through on a round, supple entry to a dryish medium-to-full body with great balance of savory roasted vegetable and honey baked bean notes. Finishes with a long, crisp, citrusy and mossy hop accent. A delicious and highly drinkable food beer that will go fantastically with chili con carne.
90 Bock-Damm, Damm Brewery (Spain). 5.4% ABV (11/11)
Rich brown color. Malty aromas of toasty nut bread, chocolate with a supple, dry-yet-fruity medium body and a crisp, earthy hop finish.
89 Session Black Premium Dark Lager, Full Sail Brewing Co. (OR). 5.4% ABV (11/11)
Deep brown color. Hoppy chocolate covered citrus aromas and flavors with a crisp, dryish medium body and a refreshing lettuce, pepper and cocoa finish.
88 Organic Dark Lager, Neumarkter Lammsbräu (Germany). 4.8% ABV (9/10)
Bright copper color. Aromas of cocoa and molasses drizzled roasted nuts. Round and silky with a dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body. Notes of raisin bread toast, hay, and citrus cream round out the finish nicely. A nice easydrinking dark lager that will shine with sausages and roasted vegetables.
88 Zatec Dark Lager, Zatec (Czech Republic). 5.7% ABV (11/10)
Mahogany brown color. Rich chocolate covered nut, dried fruit, and bread aromas with a round, supple medium-to-full body and a juicy citrus and autumn fruit and grassy, minerally hop finish. Tasty.
87 Munich Style Dunkel, Frankenmuth Brewery (MI). 5.1% ABV (12/11)
Copper brown color. Aromas of toasted date bread, mocha and roasted nuts with a soft, frothy medium body and a tangy, cocoa-dusted orange rind, grilled bread and leafy greens-like hop finish.
83 Negra Modelo Dark Lager, Cerveceria Modelo (Mexico). 5.4% ABV (11/11)
Caramel honeyed fruit aromas and flavors with a dryish light body and a frothy, quick breezy finish with nut bread and cayenne jicama notes. Uneventful.
82 Dark Cloud Dunkel, Mother Earth Brewing (NC). 4.6% ABV (11/10)
Dull copper mahogany color. Soapy, scrambled egg, burnt toast, and lemon yogurt aromas with a soft, silky light-to-medium body and a creamy egg custard and spicy earthy hop, nutskin and clay finish. A bit of a roller coaster.