Beck's Dark
Brauerei Beck & Co.
Beer Geek Stats:
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- Style:
- Munich Dunkel Lager
Ranked #202 - ABV:
- 5%
- Score:
- 70
Ranked #48,491 - Avg:
- 3.02 | pDev: 17.55%
- Reviews:
- 308
- Ratings:
- From:
- Brauerei Beck & Co.
- Germany
- Avail:
- Year-round
- Wants
- 10
- Gots
- 90
SCORE
70
Okay
70
Okay
Notes:
Reviews: 308
| Ratings: 756
| Log in to view all ratings and sort
2.98/5 rDev -1.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 3
Pours kind of a brownish color but without much viscosity to it. Small less brown in color head, 1/5" and no retention. Aroma of brown malt roasted, I don't get any skunkiness like I do from the regular version of Beck's.
Taste of metal and earth making me think of the Industrial Revolution. Slightly lighter in body than your average dunkel, somewhat brought in that direction by the higher than average carbonation. Bitterness is there, noble hop and roasted malt derived I would guess.
Its ok, not revolting, not great.
533 characters
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 3
Pours kind of a brownish color but without much viscosity to it. Small less brown in color head, 1/5" and no retention. Aroma of brown malt roasted, I don't get any skunkiness like I do from the regular version of Beck's.
Taste of metal and earth making me think of the Industrial Revolution. Slightly lighter in body than your average dunkel, somewhat brought in that direction by the higher than average carbonation. Bitterness is there, noble hop and roasted malt derived I would guess.
Its ok, not revolting, not great.
533 characters
3.02/5 rDev 0%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Pours a dark brown color with a minimal head that disappears quickly. Aroma is malt. Tastes of chocolate and dark fruits with a bit of hoppy bitterness. Smooth mouth feel.
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look: 3.25 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Pours a dark brown color with a minimal head that disappears quickly. Aroma is malt. Tastes of chocolate and dark fruits with a bit of hoppy bitterness. Smooth mouth feel.
173 characters
2.79/5 rDev -7.6%
look: 3 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.75
Beck's Dark, 5% ABV. Pours thin and black with no head, so sad. Nose is, hmmm, no nose really. Taste follows - not much, but has a moderate bitter close. Mouthfeel is OKish, overall disappointing. Might be good for putting out a fire.
239 characters
look: 3 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.75
Beck's Dark, 5% ABV. Pours thin and black with no head, so sad. Nose is, hmmm, no nose really. Taste follows - not much, but has a moderate bitter close. Mouthfeel is OKish, overall disappointing. Might be good for putting out a fire.
239 characters
2.44/5 rDev -19.2%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.25 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5
Poured into a pint glass, it has a nice dark color and a little head that fades away rather quickly. There is a little lacing left on the glass. This beer is average for a dark Euro lager
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look: 2.5 | smell: 2.25 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5
Poured into a pint glass, it has a nice dark color and a little head that fades away rather quickly. There is a little lacing left on the glass. This beer is average for a dark Euro lager
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2.18/5 rDev -27.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2
Almost undrinkable. Stale Euro lager with burnt malts. Lingering aftertaste leaves an unpleasant, stale, bitter taste. This is one of the worst beers I have ever had
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look: 3.75 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2
Almost undrinkable. Stale Euro lager with burnt malts. Lingering aftertaste leaves an unpleasant, stale, bitter taste. This is one of the worst beers I have ever had
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2.67/5 rDev -11.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.75
look...pours like an ice tea...maybe a little darker. not much head..little lace
smell...very little going on here...a hint of molasses maybe.
taste...musty cellar...danky....dungeons without the dragons.
feel...stale alka seltzer.
overall...I love beer and for me...I could do 2 of these if I had already drank 6 of anything else.
332 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.75
look...pours like an ice tea...maybe a little darker. not much head..little lace
smell...very little going on here...a hint of molasses maybe.
taste...musty cellar...danky....dungeons without the dragons.
feel...stale alka seltzer.
overall...I love beer and for me...I could do 2 of these if I had already drank 6 of anything else.
332 characters
2.83/5 rDev -6.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 2.75
Nothing to write home about. Looks dark brown, been filtered, translucent with tan head. Some lacing early on. There is a metallic flavor and mild bitterness. Finished Light and flat. Never again.
196 characters
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 2.75
Nothing to write home about. Looks dark brown, been filtered, translucent with tan head. Some lacing early on. There is a metallic flavor and mild bitterness. Finished Light and flat. Never again.
196 characters
2.3/5 rDev -23.8%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2
Beck's Dark pours a translucent brown color with no head. Grainy and skunk aroma. Taste is very grainy, cornmeal and bits of skunk. Good feel. Overall, offensive beer.
171 characters
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2
Beck's Dark pours a translucent brown color with no head. Grainy and skunk aroma. Taste is very grainy, cornmeal and bits of skunk. Good feel. Overall, offensive beer.
171 characters
3.02/5 rDev 0%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.75
Light brown where light shines through the center of the glass. No head and no lace whatsoever.
Dark toast aroma. Mild hop smell.
There are elements of burnt barley. Thin body with an elevated carbonation level. Decent bitterness in the swallow.
249 characters
look: 2.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.75
Light brown where light shines through the center of the glass. No head and no lace whatsoever.
Dark toast aroma. Mild hop smell.
There are elements of burnt barley. Thin body with an elevated carbonation level. Decent bitterness in the swallow.
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3/5 rDev -0.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
A-Pours an amber color with a slight head and lacing
A-Aroma has malt hints
T-The taste follows the nose with a malt flavor
M-A medium bodied well carbonated beer
O-A good beer
176 characters
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
A-Pours an amber color with a slight head and lacing
A-Aroma has malt hints
T-The taste follows the nose with a malt flavor
M-A medium bodied well carbonated beer
O-A good beer
176 characters
2.44/5 rDev -19.2%
look: 3 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.75
Poured from a 12 OZ bottle into a pint glass at the Pub in Gettysburg, PA. This is a complete disappointment. The beer is a dark brown with a tan head and has a metallic odor to it. The flavor is dull and flat with a metallic flavor mixed with some malt, completely forgettable.
281 characters
look: 3 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.75
Poured from a 12 OZ bottle into a pint glass at the Pub in Gettysburg, PA. This is a complete disappointment. The beer is a dark brown with a tan head and has a metallic odor to it. The flavor is dull and flat with a metallic flavor mixed with some malt, completely forgettable.
281 characters
3.24/5 rDev +7.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3
From a bottle.
Dark mahogany with very good clarity. Decent head.
Mild aroma with a flavor that is a bit better but also mild.
O: Decent except too mild.
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look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3
From a bottle.
Dark mahogany with very good clarity. Decent head.
Mild aroma with a flavor that is a bit better but also mild.
O: Decent except too mild.
157 characters
2.73/5 rDev -9.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.25 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 2.75
I grabbed a bottle from my folks' house. The bottling code states it's still good for another couple months. Poured right from the fridge into an imperial pint glass.
L: Pours a cola brown--slightly ruddy at the edges--with about an inch of tan head that dissipates very quickly down to just a weak ring that leaves minimal lacing on the glass. Moderate visible carbonation.
S: A bit of a nondescript bouquet. There's some weak malts, stewed corn, some skunk, and a bit of earthiness in the mix. Not very pleasant.
T: Cracker and bread-like malts up front, along with a bit of cracked pepper. The middle brings on the characteristic flavor of corn, lending the brew some of its sweetness. There are some lemon notes that add tartness that carries into the back end. There's more of the somewhat indiscernible malts at the close, along with a touch of earthiness and skunk.
F: Lighter-bodied, this one drinks a little thin and watery. There's some creaminess to this, but toward the end it started to feel flat. It's a bit tart, but there's no discernible bitter.
O: I know that I've had this beer years ago, and I remember it being better than this. Those adjuncts really come across quite clearly--much more clearly, unfortunately, than any malt or hop flavors. I won't be returning to this one.
1,301 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.25 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 2.75
I grabbed a bottle from my folks' house. The bottling code states it's still good for another couple months. Poured right from the fridge into an imperial pint glass.
L: Pours a cola brown--slightly ruddy at the edges--with about an inch of tan head that dissipates very quickly down to just a weak ring that leaves minimal lacing on the glass. Moderate visible carbonation.
S: A bit of a nondescript bouquet. There's some weak malts, stewed corn, some skunk, and a bit of earthiness in the mix. Not very pleasant.
T: Cracker and bread-like malts up front, along with a bit of cracked pepper. The middle brings on the characteristic flavor of corn, lending the brew some of its sweetness. There are some lemon notes that add tartness that carries into the back end. There's more of the somewhat indiscernible malts at the close, along with a touch of earthiness and skunk.
F: Lighter-bodied, this one drinks a little thin and watery. There's some creaminess to this, but toward the end it started to feel flat. It's a bit tart, but there's no discernible bitter.
O: I know that I've had this beer years ago, and I remember it being better than this. Those adjuncts really come across quite clearly--much more clearly, unfortunately, than any malt or hop flavors. I won't be returning to this one.
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2.75/5 rDev -8.9%
look: 2.75 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 2.75
When I was younger, a long time ago, this was something "crazy" you bought to be cool. Now, I recognize it for a mediocre beer at best. Some darker malt suggestions separate it from the light BMC pack and may make it more compelling, but it doesn't deliver the flavor or quality that a beer is capable of.
305 characters
look: 2.75 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 2.75
When I was younger, a long time ago, this was something "crazy" you bought to be cool. Now, I recognize it for a mediocre beer at best. Some darker malt suggestions separate it from the light BMC pack and may make it more compelling, but it doesn't deliver the flavor or quality that a beer is capable of.
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3.06/5 rDev +1.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
I have to say that in terms of a Dunkel, Hofbrau is better and as a plain old dark lager, Heineken Dark is better. It smells pretty good, but unfortunately the flavor doesn't quite deliver.
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look: 3 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
I have to say that in terms of a Dunkel, Hofbrau is better and as a plain old dark lager, Heineken Dark is better. It smells pretty good, but unfortunately the flavor doesn't quite deliver.
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3.26/5 rDev +7.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3
I was looking for a brown ale and this was as close as my local store had. mahogany color. roasty smell. while drinking it, someone next to me asked if anyone else smelled skunk. but it wasn't skunky. good carbonation. I'd buy again if I couldnt find other darker beers.
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look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3
I was looking for a brown ale and this was as close as my local store had. mahogany color. roasty smell. while drinking it, someone next to me asked if anyone else smelled skunk. but it wasn't skunky. good carbonation. I'd buy again if I couldnt find other darker beers.
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2.8/5 rDev -7.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.25 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.75
$1.49 singles cooler edition.
Appearance (3.5) : Ha. That's funny. Here I thought it was a black label but the honey colored beer along with the green bottle makes it look black. Creative. Anyways there's a pretty tall and creamy head that stands about three fingers. The body is a dark honey/oktoberfest color with about 80% opacity.
Aroma (3.5) : Wheat, caramel toasted malts, some musty grain, and earthy hop. Smells a bit like a Vienna or an Amber. A bit sweet at the end, maybe brown sugar? Not a bad or offending smell, and somewhat complex.
Taste (2.25) : Not good. I can already tell this is probably going to be a drain pour. Some sour malts with what tastes like an old jawbreaker. Old coffee grounds. Malts are a bit toasted but burnt too. Sour and bitter notes that don't really amount to anything. They are just there, and they clash. It just has this burnt flavor. And lots of ugly sour hop. It's really not good at all.
Mouthfeel (3.25) : Mildly creamy, finishes dry. Medium bodied.
Overall (2.83) : If Beck's Premium Lager didn't scare me away from the brewer, this one did. This very well may be my last Beck's beer I ever try. These guys are horrible. Whether you look at it as a dark ale or look at it as a "Dunkel", it's a fail either way. I've had both styles, neither of which this beer represents. It's burnt, sour, earthy, and bitter. Just blech. What's even worse is that it's really the definition of mediocre.
1,441 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.25 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.75
$1.49 singles cooler edition.
Appearance (3.5) : Ha. That's funny. Here I thought it was a black label but the honey colored beer along with the green bottle makes it look black. Creative. Anyways there's a pretty tall and creamy head that stands about three fingers. The body is a dark honey/oktoberfest color with about 80% opacity.
Aroma (3.5) : Wheat, caramel toasted malts, some musty grain, and earthy hop. Smells a bit like a Vienna or an Amber. A bit sweet at the end, maybe brown sugar? Not a bad or offending smell, and somewhat complex.
Taste (2.25) : Not good. I can already tell this is probably going to be a drain pour. Some sour malts with what tastes like an old jawbreaker. Old coffee grounds. Malts are a bit toasted but burnt too. Sour and bitter notes that don't really amount to anything. They are just there, and they clash. It just has this burnt flavor. And lots of ugly sour hop. It's really not good at all.
Mouthfeel (3.25) : Mildly creamy, finishes dry. Medium bodied.
Overall (2.83) : If Beck's Premium Lager didn't scare me away from the brewer, this one did. This very well may be my last Beck's beer I ever try. These guys are horrible. Whether you look at it as a dark ale or look at it as a "Dunkel", it's a fail either way. I've had both styles, neither of which this beer represents. It's burnt, sour, earthy, and bitter. Just blech. What's even worse is that it's really the definition of mediocre.
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3/5 rDev -0.7%
A: Very dark brown when it came out of the bottle. On top was a thick finger sized creamy white head that dissipated rather quick with little lacing.
S: Dark roasted grains that are over taken by a bready sweetness, but on the whole the scent is not all I wanted. It was a bit faint and not as robust as I expected from a dark beer.
T: A lot of roasted grains throughout. There are detectable hop flavors, with the higher carbonation at the beginning this is very noticeable, less so later on. While one would expect a slight sweet bread or malt flavor to follow, it hardly does. The tail end is more bitter than I would prefer.
M: Crisp and carbonated at first, as time went on and it warmed, there was a smoother feel but not a rich feel, it was a bit watery for that.
O: This is OK, it is not the most impressive beer in the world but there is no need to disparage it. It satisfies one's desire for a darker beer and certainly can fill the need for roasted flavors. I felt it was not as malty as I would have preferred. Drinkable, I would say nothing to write home about but I am writing about it so go figure.
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A: Very dark brown when it came out of the bottle. On top was a thick finger sized creamy white head that dissipated rather quick with little lacing.
S: Dark roasted grains that are over taken by a bready sweetness, but on the whole the scent is not all I wanted. It was a bit faint and not as robust as I expected from a dark beer.
T: A lot of roasted grains throughout. There are detectable hop flavors, with the higher carbonation at the beginning this is very noticeable, less so later on. While one would expect a slight sweet bread or malt flavor to follow, it hardly does. The tail end is more bitter than I would prefer.
M: Crisp and carbonated at first, as time went on and it warmed, there was a smoother feel but not a rich feel, it was a bit watery for that.
O: This is OK, it is not the most impressive beer in the world but there is no need to disparage it. It satisfies one's desire for a darker beer and certainly can fill the need for roasted flavors. I felt it was not as malty as I would have preferred. Drinkable, I would say nothing to write home about but I am writing about it so go figure.
1,126 characters
3.69/5 rDev +22.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
poured into a pint glass via bottle
color is amber
smell is a tad skunky with some maltiness
taste is a bit hoppy and some pine
medium carbonation
years ago (1990's) this was one of my favorite beers but after a recent revisit, i realize this is not a very good beer, but still holds a place in my heart
308 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
poured into a pint glass via bottle
color is amber
smell is a tad skunky with some maltiness
taste is a bit hoppy and some pine
medium carbonation
years ago (1990's) this was one of my favorite beers but after a recent revisit, i realize this is not a very good beer, but still holds a place in my heart
308 characters
2.83/5 rDev -6.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 2.75
Sampled last night on 5/5/14 and had this one many times before but has been awhile. Used to be imported from Germany but now made by Anheuser Busch. Bottle chilled down to 36 degrees F in my beer cooler and poured into a handled glass stein.
Pours a very dark amber in color with a lighter tan head that dissipates quickly that leaves some lacing when sipped but not much. Smells and tastes different to what I remember back in the '80's and early '90's even. Aroma is of roasted malts with a hint of brown sugar. Taste is on the weak side and not like I really remember. Overall, disappointed.
596 characters
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 2.75
Sampled last night on 5/5/14 and had this one many times before but has been awhile. Used to be imported from Germany but now made by Anheuser Busch. Bottle chilled down to 36 degrees F in my beer cooler and poured into a handled glass stein.
Pours a very dark amber in color with a lighter tan head that dissipates quickly that leaves some lacing when sipped but not much. Smells and tastes different to what I remember back in the '80's and early '90's even. Aroma is of roasted malts with a hint of brown sugar. Taste is on the weak side and not like I really remember. Overall, disappointed.
596 characters
1/5 rDev -66.9%
look: 1 | smell: 1 | taste: 1 | feel: 1 | overall: 1
Hi all,
Have been a long time Euro beer (mostly German) drinker since the late 60's, I know these days and even back then Beck's was never at the high end of the beer list, but it has always been good choice when nothing else was around or you were lucky enough to find a fresh barrel on tap.
Well a few weeks ago I was at one of the chain liquor stores that happen have Becks reg and dark on sale, so I picked up a few cases of the dark. Then I remembered something about Bud buying out Becks or bottling it for them here.
Now for the important part, I had a bottle of Becks dark and it was pure "PANTHER PISS" the old familiar prune-ish taste was gone. I really do not drink Bud but if I did I would imagine a can of that w/ some liquid smoke poured in. I bought a few cases of this so I figured it may or been a bad bottle or two but tried another and had a few friends over and had them try it. I really do not want to post what as said about the product.
So I guess another brewer went the way of the past selling out there heritage or perhaps just had to get out of the business as they could not keep up w/ all the new crud on the market.
To the board, sorry I'm not well versed enough on posting the characteristics , just called it as I saw it.
Shame on PUD !
1,273 characters
look: 1 | smell: 1 | taste: 1 | feel: 1 | overall: 1
Hi all,
Have been a long time Euro beer (mostly German) drinker since the late 60's, I know these days and even back then Beck's was never at the high end of the beer list, but it has always been good choice when nothing else was around or you were lucky enough to find a fresh barrel on tap.
Well a few weeks ago I was at one of the chain liquor stores that happen have Becks reg and dark on sale, so I picked up a few cases of the dark. Then I remembered something about Bud buying out Becks or bottling it for them here.
Now for the important part, I had a bottle of Becks dark and it was pure "PANTHER PISS" the old familiar prune-ish taste was gone. I really do not drink Bud but if I did I would imagine a can of that w/ some liquid smoke poured in. I bought a few cases of this so I figured it may or been a bad bottle or two but tried another and had a few friends over and had them try it. I really do not want to post what as said about the product.
So I guess another brewer went the way of the past selling out there heritage or perhaps just had to get out of the business as they could not keep up w/ all the new crud on the market.
To the board, sorry I'm not well versed enough on posting the characteristics , just called it as I saw it.
Shame on PUD !
1,273 characters
2.7/5 rDev -10.6%
look: 3.25 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 2 | overall: 3
12oz. bottle poured into a pint glass ~ had this review written for ages, just never transferred it to here.
A: Not quite opaque dark brown with a light tan head that quickly diminishes to nothing, but leaves respectable lacing. Some mahogany hues shine though with the sunlight.
S: Lots of bready malts, and not much else. A little bit of toasted malt maybe? Mostly clean here... Moving on.
T: Some weird tasting toasted malts... Not a whole lot of hop flavor; it just provides a weak touch of bitterness in the finish. It's not offensive, but there's really not much to talk about here.
M: Really light-bodied and thin with a bit of slickness that finishes a lot like a fountain soda. There's not much here to keep your palate wanting more.
O: I guess Beck's Dark isn't as offensive as it gets, but it's definitely not as good as it could be. There's definitely some good qualities to this brew, but not enough to outweigh the bad qualities. I wouldn't call it offensive, but it's definitely something to stay away from if there's other options.
1,052 characters
look: 3.25 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 2 | overall: 3
12oz. bottle poured into a pint glass ~ had this review written for ages, just never transferred it to here.
A: Not quite opaque dark brown with a light tan head that quickly diminishes to nothing, but leaves respectable lacing. Some mahogany hues shine though with the sunlight.
S: Lots of bready malts, and not much else. A little bit of toasted malt maybe? Mostly clean here... Moving on.
T: Some weird tasting toasted malts... Not a whole lot of hop flavor; it just provides a weak touch of bitterness in the finish. It's not offensive, but there's really not much to talk about here.
M: Really light-bodied and thin with a bit of slickness that finishes a lot like a fountain soda. There's not much here to keep your palate wanting more.
O: I guess Beck's Dark isn't as offensive as it gets, but it's definitely not as good as it could be. There's definitely some good qualities to this brew, but not enough to outweigh the bad qualities. I wouldn't call it offensive, but it's definitely something to stay away from if there's other options.
1,052 characters
1.88/5 rDev -37.7%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 1.5
Beck's Dark used to be my favorite all-around go-to beer. It had the perfect balance of malt and hops, that clean crisp lager body, a depth of character and richness. As with most import beers, you sometimes got a batch that wasn't as fresh as it should have been, but it was a very good to excellent product.
Since InBev domesticated it, it's turned into two-dimensional swill. Budweiser with a darker hue and different packaging. I gave the new stuff several chances in recent months, and for a period of time, I was able to compare it head to head with some of the older German-made stock some stores still had in inventory. It's been uniformly disappointing to the point I've given up entirely on it in search of a replacement. I guess they do this because the economics work - shave every production corner you can and drive up margins. It doesn't work for me. I don't drink a lot, so when I do, I want quality, and I'd rather pay a few bucks more if that's what it takes to keep a product authentic and good.
1,017 characters
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 1.5
Beck's Dark used to be my favorite all-around go-to beer. It had the perfect balance of malt and hops, that clean crisp lager body, a depth of character and richness. As with most import beers, you sometimes got a batch that wasn't as fresh as it should have been, but it was a very good to excellent product.
Since InBev domesticated it, it's turned into two-dimensional swill. Budweiser with a darker hue and different packaging. I gave the new stuff several chances in recent months, and for a period of time, I was able to compare it head to head with some of the older German-made stock some stores still had in inventory. It's been uniformly disappointing to the point I've given up entirely on it in search of a replacement. I guess they do this because the economics work - shave every production corner you can and drive up margins. It doesn't work for me. I don't drink a lot, so when I do, I want quality, and I'd rather pay a few bucks more if that's what it takes to keep a product authentic and good.
1,017 characters
2.08/5 rDev -31.1%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.25
DATE TASTED: October 12, 2013 ... GLASSWARE: Warsteiner pokal... OCCASION: celebrating PSU's unBILLeivable comeback against Michigan--and my son's fifth birthday... APPEARANCE: "dark" velvet black as night body with a brownish roadside snake-colored head; lacing is nonexistent, with a random streak or spot... AROMA: classic Beck's ping/tang hops with a doughy funky roundness; a "dirtier" version of the pilsner...PALATE: slick and oily; lightly bodied with subtle activity at the teeth...TASTE: bready, doughy and slightly malty; light hops do not really add balance or memorability...OVERALL: on the plus side, sessionable and autumnal; on the negative, almost indistinguishable from the Oktoberfest, save the presence of extra doughy malts...
747 characters
look: 2.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.25
DATE TASTED: October 12, 2013 ... GLASSWARE: Warsteiner pokal... OCCASION: celebrating PSU's unBILLeivable comeback against Michigan--and my son's fifth birthday... APPEARANCE: "dark" velvet black as night body with a brownish roadside snake-colored head; lacing is nonexistent, with a random streak or spot... AROMA: classic Beck's ping/tang hops with a doughy funky roundness; a "dirtier" version of the pilsner...PALATE: slick and oily; lightly bodied with subtle activity at the teeth...TASTE: bready, doughy and slightly malty; light hops do not really add balance or memorability...OVERALL: on the plus side, sessionable and autumnal; on the negative, almost indistinguishable from the Oktoberfest, save the presence of extra doughy malts...
747 characters
3.29/5 rDev +8.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25
A- Pours a medium, chocolate brown in color. Fairly clear in body, but sight through the beer is reduced greatly by its dark color. Larger, 3 finger head forms on top and retains very well. Lacing is good.
S- Light and very similar to regular Becks on the nose. Typical pilsner scent with a hint of skunky-ness. A little bit of bitterness in there, as well as a hint of darker malts.
T- Starts off light and grainy in flavor, before a slight hint of darker malt flavors peaks in for a brief minute. The beer ends with a slight hops bitterness that balances out the lighter flavor of the beer.
M- Rather smooth and drinkable, like most German styles. Lighter in body than most German lagers, but still giving the creamy feel. Low to medium amount of carbonation.
Overall, an underwhelming example of the style, but one of the few you can get almost anywhere in the US. Really no comparison to the same, or similar, beers on tap.
931 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25
A- Pours a medium, chocolate brown in color. Fairly clear in body, but sight through the beer is reduced greatly by its dark color. Larger, 3 finger head forms on top and retains very well. Lacing is good.
S- Light and very similar to regular Becks on the nose. Typical pilsner scent with a hint of skunky-ness. A little bit of bitterness in there, as well as a hint of darker malts.
T- Starts off light and grainy in flavor, before a slight hint of darker malt flavors peaks in for a brief minute. The beer ends with a slight hops bitterness that balances out the lighter flavor of the beer.
M- Rather smooth and drinkable, like most German styles. Lighter in body than most German lagers, but still giving the creamy feel. Low to medium amount of carbonation.
Overall, an underwhelming example of the style, but one of the few you can get almost anywhere in the US. Really no comparison to the same, or similar, beers on tap.
931 characters
Beck's Dark from Brauerei Beck & Co.
Beer rating:
70 out of
100 with
756 ratings
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