What is dark beer? Why is it dark? We introduce the different types, the most popular brands, and even snacks to go with it.

This time,Basic information about dark beerfrom,A European dark beer brand that is easy to drink in Japan, and evenRecommended snacksWe will provide you with detailed information about dark beer!

What is dark beer anyway?

Black beer is as the name suggestsDark colored beerIt is generally characterized by a strong roasted and fragrant flavor, and sometimes flavors similar to chocolate or coffee.

Dark beer was created in the 18th century and was often consumed in cold climates.Strong flavor and satisfying tasteIt developed in Ireland and the UK, and is now loved all over the world.

Why is dark beer dark?

The reason why dark beer is dark isRoasted maltis located.

When making beer, malt is made by germinating barley and then drying it.Roasted for a long time at high temperatureDuring this roasting process, the color of the malt changes.Black or deep brownThis results in malt.

The color of a dark beer depends on how roasted the malt is, so the more strongly it is roasted, the darker the color will be, ultimately resulting in a dark beer.

What gives dark beer its unique flavor?

The unique taste of dark beer is alsoRoasted maltThe ingredients produced by roasted malt are:Caramelorchocolate,coffeeIt has a scent and flavor like

Specifically, the chemical reactions that occur during the roasting process (Maillard reactionThe complex, rich flavor is created by the reaction of amino acids with sugars to produce brown pigments and aroma) and the caramelization of the sugars in the malt.

For example, dark beers such as stouts and porters are characterized by a strong roasted flavor and often have flavors similar to coffee or chocolate.Burnt malt aromaorCaramelization of sugarsHowever, it produces a mellow and deep flavor.

Dark beer is usuallybitter tasteandsweetnessIt has a good balance of bitterness, and even if it is strong, the sweetness of the roasted malt often softens it, making it easy to drink.

When was dark beer created? The origin and history of dark beer

The origins of dark beer are quite ancient, and it is one of the oldest beer varieties in the history of beer.Early 18th century Englandwill be a major turning point.

Ancient to Middle Ages:Before the advent of dark beer

Beer itself has existed since before the Common Era and was widely consumed in Medieval Europe. At that time, the technology for drying malt was not yet developed, soNaturally, there were a lot of dark-colored beers.It is believed that...

Early 18th century: The birth of Porter

1722, London, England"Porter"This beer was named after the porters, who were popular among longshoremen.

This is the modernThe origin of the original style of dark beeris.

late 18th centuryThe emergence of stout

The word "Stout" originally meant "strong" or "dark", and developed into "Stout Porter". Eventually it became an independent beer style,Guinness in IrelandIncluding,A richer, full-bodied dark beerIt became known as.

German dark beer "Schwarzbier"

Meanwhile, Germany has a lager-type dark beer called "Schwarzbier." This is a traditional style that has been handed down since the Middle Ages, and unlike British dark beers, it has a clean taste.

The fermentation method is different from that of porter and stout ales.Low temperature fermented lager typeIt will be.

summary

era	style	region	Features
1700s	Porter	England	The original dark beer. A fragrant flavor for workers.
Late 1700s	stout	Ireland	Richer, creamier flavour
Middle Ages to present	Schwarzbier	Germany	A refreshing dark lager beer

Dark beer was born during the Industrial Revolution in the 18th century, in response to the needs of workers who wanted a "full-bodied, filling beer."A style filled with tradition and ingenuityis.

Comparing the differences between the most popular styles of dark beer

There are various styles of dark beer, mainly "porter," "stout," "schwarzbier," "dunkel," and "dark lager." Each style has different roasting levels of malt, fermentation methods, and flavors, allowing you to enjoy a wide variety of unique styles.

Check out the table below for a detailed comparison of each feature!

List of main types of dark beer

item	Porter	Stout	Schwarzbier	Dunkel	Dark Lager (Dark Lager)
Birthplace	England	Ireland England	Germany (Chubu)	Germany (Bayern)	Czech Republic
Fermentation Type	Top fermentation (Yell)	Top fermentation (Yell)	Bottom fermentation (Lager)	Bottom fermentation (Lager)	Bottom fermentation (Lager)
Malt Roast Degree	Moderate	Strong	Moderate	Modest	Moderate
Taste characteristics	Light and smooth Lots of chocolate flavour	Strong bitterness Characterized by burnt and coffee flavors	Fragrant and refreshing Slightly dry	It has a sweet and mellow taste. Malty	Mellow and sweet Soft mouthfeel
Color	Black to dark brown	Very deep black	Deep dark brown to black	Deep brown to dark brown	Dark brown to black
Representative brand examples	Samuel Smith Taddy Porter	Guinness,Samuel Smith Oatmeal Stout	Kusturitzer Schwarzbier	Erdinger Dunkel	Kozel Dark

A representative European dark beer brand that can be bought in Japan

1. Guinness Draught(Guinness Draught)

Guinness is a dark beer that represents Ireland and is very popular around the world. Guinness is a historic brewery founded in 1769.They are especially known for their stout beer., Guinness Draught is its most famous product.

The characteristics of this beer are:Creamy foam and rich malt flavorIt has the aroma of roasted malt, a slight bitterness, and a touch of sweetness. The alcohol content is relatively low at about 4.21 TP3T, making it easy to drink.

More details on GuinnessHereThis is summarized in the article.

1. Samuel Smith Oatmeal Stout
   (Samuel Smith Oatmeal Stout) 

This is one of the dark beers made by the traditional British beer maker "Samuel Smith". This brewery has a long history dating back to the 18th century and continues to make high-quality beer.

This beer has a rich roasted flavor and a sweetness reminiscent of chocolate and caramel. Oatmeal is used,Very smooth and mellow on the palateThe alcohol content is around 5%, so it's not too heavy and easy to drink, so even beginners to dark beers can enjoy it.

This beer is rich yet easy to drink, making it a popular dessert beer.

For more information on Samuel Smith Oatmeal Stout,HereThis is summarized in the article.

1. Erdinger Dunkel
   (ERDINGER Dunkel) 

This dark beer is produced by the German company Erdinger. Erdinger is a famous brewery, especially known for its wheat beers, and has many fans around the world.

This beer is characterized by its rich malt flavor and subtle sweetness. You can feel the aroma of roasted malt and the slight sweetness of caramel.The smoothness of the wheat also makes this a beer that is easy to try even for those who don't like dark beers.It is a unique beer that combines the softness of wheat beer with the richness of dark beer.

For more information on Erdinger,HereThis is summarized in the article.

What snacks go well with dark beer?

Dark beer is characterized by its deep flavor, and there are many snacks that go perfectly with it.

The best snacks to go with dark beer are those with a rich, roasted flavor.Goes well with rich ingredients and strong-flavored dishesFor example, it will taste even better if you pair it with the following snacks:

Categories	cooking	Compatibility points
cheese	Cheddar cheese	The roasted flavor of the dark beer and the richness of the cheddar cheese go together perfectly.
	Blue Cheese	The strong flavor of blue cheese and the deep taste of dark beer are a perfect match.
Red meat	Steaks and burgers	The rich flavor of the dark beer goes perfectly with the juicy meat.
	Beef stew and stews	The deep richness of dark beer enhances the flavor of stews.
Fried food	Fried chicken or French fries	The mellow sweetness of dark beer helps to reduce the greasiness of fried foods.
Smoked dishes	Smoked salmon or smoked chicken	The smoky aroma and roasted flavor of the dark beer go perfectly together.
Dessert	Chocolate cake or brownies	The chocolate flavour of the dark beer pairs perfectly with the sweetness of the dessert.

Summary: What is dark beer?

Dark beer is characterized by its deep color and fragrant flavor due to roasted malt. The most common styles are porter, stout, schwarzbier, dunkel, and dark lager, each with a different flavor and fermentation method.

It goes great with rich cheese, red meat, fried foods, chocolate, etc. Please enjoy the deep world of dark beer♪