Dunkel

This beer style works just fine on its own as a fall or winter party tap—but it also makes a great base for winter-themed fruited or spiced beers.

This international-style dark lager works well on its own as an easy-drinking crowd-pleaser—but it also works well as a relatively base for fruit or other flavor additions.

Whether you’ve got hop fatigue or are hunting some crowd-pleasing flavors—for autumn weather, holiday fare, or any time of year—this dark wheat beer in the German style need not be challenging to brew.

Great to brew or drink at any time of year, the too-often-overlooked Bavarian-style dark wheat beer offers crowd-pleasing flavors and looks impressive in the glass.

From longer decoctions to key considerations when using dark malts in the mash, Bierstadt cofounder Bill Eye explains how their approach to darker lagers differs from that of paler ones—and also why they avoid dextrin malt.

Full of malt depth yet dry, leaner than a doppelbock yet sneaky in strength... Once you brew a dunkles bock, you’ll wonder why you don’t have one on tap year-round.

While drinkability remains the supreme goal, the dark side of Planet Lager can offer richer delights than the brighter styles. Despite their more exotic look, they can also be surprisingly light and refreshing. Here are five top picks from the pros.

Steve Holle, founder and managing partner of the KC Bier Company in Kansas City, Missouri, describes their deliberate, details-oriented approach to brewing traditional German-style lagers.

Lagers are enjoying a moment with American brewers, as savvy drinkers discover their subtlety and nuance. But which ones do brewers themselves gravitate toward? We asked five for their faves.

Not all dark beers—and most especially not all dark lagers—are the same. Take some time to parse the different dark lager styles out there and consider not only how they differ but also how we can modify our brewing approaches to produce them.

With the right grist and careful fermenting, you can get the best of the malt flavors in this Munich Dunkel without leaving an impression of sweetness. But, there’s an important caveat to keep in mind: don’t go too far.

A slightly more seductive and deeper version of its more popular counterpart the Hefeweizen, Slam Dunkelweizen is like a piece of banana bread with honey and chocolate chips.

A darker, stronger version of Bavarian wheat beer. A crisp wheat flavor is balanced by a slight chocolate maltiness. A mild clove/banana flavor accents the spicy character of Tradition hops.

A rich and toasty lager, well balanced with a crisp finish for drinking year-round.