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Styles · International Dark Lager

Beer style · BJCP 2021 2C

International Dark Lager

International Lager

Published ranges These are the ranges the BJCP 2021 guidelines publish for this style.

Original gravity
1.044–1.056
Final gravity
1.008–1.012
Bitterness
8–20 IBU
Color
14–22 SRM (28–43 EBC)
Alcohol
4.2–6.0 % ABV

What it is

A dark version of the international lager: color plus a suggestion of toast or caramel, without real roast bite or weight. Bitterness is low and sweetness is kept in check so it still drinks easily and cold. Dark color on a light, clean palate is the signature.

Flavor

What a International Dark Lager should taste like, on the three wheels the studio scores every recipe against. The shaded ring is the style’s range on each axis, from 0 at the center to 5 at the edge.

Hops

Hops stay in the background: none of their character belongs.

Malt

Grainy, with room for caramel, sweet/honey, toasty, chocolate or coffee/roast.

Fermentation

Clean, with room for sulfur.

Hops that suit it

None on character. The hops in this style are there for bitterness and balance, and any variety whose aroma you would notice is out of place.

Yeasts that suit it

Strains the lab made for beers like this one, whose fermentation character sits inside the style’s wheel. A strain sold by several labs is listed once; its page names the others.

And 119 more yeasts whose character fits. These are the 24 that fit best.

Style numbers, names and vital statistics are from the BJCP 2021 Beer Style Guidelines, where you will find the official descriptions. The descriptions and flavor wheels here are Beerwright’s own. Beerwright is not affiliated with or endorsed by the BJCP.