Beerlao Dark
Lao Brewery Co.
- From:
- Lao Brewery Co.
- Laos
- Style:
- European Dark Lager
Ranked #76 - ABV:
- 6.5%
- Score:
- 76
Ranked #38,270 - Avg:
- 3.31 | pDev: 16.62%
- Ratings:
- | reviews: 95
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- Jan 23, 2026
- Added:
- Dec 31, 2005
- Wants:
- 6
- Gots:
- 21
SCORE
76
Okay
76
Okay
Beerlao Dark is an award winning beer brewed with the finest ingredients and roasted malt. A full-bodied tasted experience with a golden brown color.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by bluejacket74:
Reviewed by bluejacket74 from Ohio
3.71/5 rDev +12.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
3.71/5 rDev +12.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
330 ml bottle, MFG JB/AE/BJBD stamped on the back label and I have no idea what that means. Label says 6% ABV. Served in a pint glass, the beer pours a clear reddish/brown color with not quite an inch off-white head. Head retention and lacing are both good enough. The aroma is nice but muted, it smells like caramel, dark bread, and some toffee. Taste is similar to the aroma but with more of a kick, and there's the addition of a little bit of nuttiness. Mouthfeel/body is light/medium, it's smooth and easy to drink with a moderate amount of carbonation. I thought this was an enjoyable brew, certainly worth a try if you get the chance!
Aug 04, 2024More User Ratings:
Reviewed by AzfromOz from Australia
3.4/5 rDev +2.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25
3.4/5 rDev +2.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25
I grabbed this at a random Thai 7/11 on Phuket in January 2026 and drank it the next day. I was in a hurry so notes are perfunctory.
L: Dark brown with almost no head or bubbles in the glass.
S: Very neutral - I couldn't pick up anything despite stuffing my nose right into the glass.
T: Dark malt, burnt toffee, caramel. Acrid earthy bitterness. A touch of minerality on the swallow. Far more expressive than the nose.
M: The mouthfeel is slightly thin, with low carbonation.
O: This is an ok dark lager, but overall mostly very middling in all aspects.
Cheers!
#779
Jan 23, 2026L: Dark brown with almost no head or bubbles in the glass.
S: Very neutral - I couldn't pick up anything despite stuffing my nose right into the glass.
T: Dark malt, burnt toffee, caramel. Acrid earthy bitterness. A touch of minerality on the swallow. Far more expressive than the nose.
M: The mouthfeel is slightly thin, with low carbonation.
O: This is an ok dark lager, but overall mostly very middling in all aspects.
Cheers!
#779
Rated by BenZan
4.65/5 rDev +40.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
4.65/5 rDev +40.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
The taste and look is very refreshing. Has a nice roasted flavor and uses black rice.
Nov 26, 2025
Reviewed by JonnoWillsteed from England
2.6/5 rDev -21.5%
look: 2.75 | smell: 2 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25
2.6/5 rDev -21.5%
look: 2.75 | smell: 2 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25
I just found these unposted notes from years ago:
L- Dark chestnut, clears to ring.
S- Little.
T- Light, nothing prominent. Some malts.
F- Light for 6.5%
O- Lighter than expected. Would pair well with spicy food.
330ml bottle 6.5% BB: 7-3-16
L-
S-
T-
F-
O-
330ml bottle 6.5% BB 7-3-16
Nov 04, 2024L- Dark chestnut, clears to ring.
S- Little.
T- Light, nothing prominent. Some malts.
F- Light for 6.5%
O- Lighter than expected. Would pair well with spicy food.
330ml bottle 6.5% BB: 7-3-16
L-
S-
T-
F-
O-
330ml bottle 6.5% BB 7-3-16
Reviewed by elNopalero from Michigan
3.24/5 rDev -2.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25
3.24/5 rDev -2.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25
Adding to my international count.
Pours cola-colored from the bottle with some subdued roasty notes and a touch of wet cardboard. Thin finish. Inoffensive, easy drinking, if forgettable.
Jul 04, 2023Pours cola-colored from the bottle with some subdued roasty notes and a touch of wet cardboard. Thin finish. Inoffensive, easy drinking, if forgettable.
Reviewed by jkblr from Indiana
3.77/5 rDev +13.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
3.77/5 rDev +13.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
330mL bottle stamped MFG: JA/JI/BJBB poured into a shaker pint glass at fridge temp 6% ABV. The beer pours bright light brown in color with light khaki head. The head recedes to a thin ring and single layer of bubbles. The aroma is mild with toasted malt. The taste is semisweet toasted malt. Minimal bitterness. The mouthfeel is thin bodied with average carbonation and a mostly dry finish. Overall, good beer.
May 21, 2023
Reviewed by Sigmund from Norway
2.68/5 rDev -19%
look: 3.75 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5
2.68/5 rDev -19%
look: 3.75 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5
Oct. 2012: Shared 330 ml bottle at local tasting. ABV is 6.5%. Dark reddish brown colour, moderate off-white head. Unusual aroma, marzipan / artificial almond flavouring, some caramel and rice. The flavour has some caramel malts, but is not very sweet. Hints of almond essence again. Esoteric, but not a great beer.
Mar 08, 2023
Reviewed by VABA from Virginia
3.5/5 rDev +5.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
3.5/5 rDev +5.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Pours a light brown color with a slight head and lacing
Aroma has caramel malt hints
The taste follows the nose with a pleasant caramel malt flavor
A medium bodied well carbonated beer
A good Dark Lager
May 28, 2022Aroma has caramel malt hints
The taste follows the nose with a pleasant caramel malt flavor
A medium bodied well carbonated beer
A good Dark Lager
Reviewed by MikeWard from Pennsylvania
3.33/5 rDev +0.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
3.33/5 rDev +0.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
330ml bottle into a pint glass. No freshness dating.
Clear watery brown body. Small white head shrinks to a ring and covering, a little lacing.
Musty sweet aroma, not as unpleasant as it sounds.
On tasting, it begins very sweet, quite malty. As it warms, it seems to get a little harsh.
Mouth just about reaches medium. Finish a little harsh.
Overall, a bit of an up and down beer, not something I'll likely repeat.
Oct 10, 2021Clear watery brown body. Small white head shrinks to a ring and covering, a little lacing.
Musty sweet aroma, not as unpleasant as it sounds.
On tasting, it begins very sweet, quite malty. As it warms, it seems to get a little harsh.
Mouth just about reaches medium. Finish a little harsh.
Overall, a bit of an up and down beer, not something I'll likely repeat.
Reviewed by milkshakebeersucks from Maryland
2.86/5 rDev -13.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 2.75
2.86/5 rDev -13.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 2.75
Clear brown appearance; actually, it was exactly the same color as the bottle itself. Average size off white head and spotty lacing. Muted, sweet, caramel malt aroma that turned vegetal as it warmed. Taste of maple syrup over rice. Light-to-medium bodied mouthfeel with good carbonation. Sticky sweet finish.
Oct 28, 2020Rated by beerrat from Virginia
4.38/5 rDev +32.3%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
4.38/5 rDev +32.3%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Amber on the Darkside.
Strong lager smell
Taste like a Vienna lager
Apr 18, 2020Strong lager smell
Taste like a Vienna lager
Rated by Jsteez from Utah
3.52/5 rDev +6.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
3.52/5 rDev +6.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
A good dark lager: crisp and refreshing after a hot day in the Laos sun.
Dec 27, 2019
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