A group of beer styles that share some common characteristics: dark color (from amber-chestnut to brown or almost black), sweetish taste, pronounced carbonation. Often they are just a dark version of light counterparts from the same manufacturers.
The malt-hop balance clearly leans towards the first component: bitterness is weakly expressed. Depending on the raw materials used, there may be hints of corn in the aroma. Fermentation is clean, but a slightly yeasty character is possible.
In the glass it forms a light creamy foam. The bouquet can be felt tones of coffee, molasses, cocoa, if there is a hop profile, it is expressed with light spicy and floral notes. Burnt taste is not allowed.
An international dark lager doesn’t have the complex flavors of a Munich Dunkel or a Schwarzbier.
Strength: 4.2-6.0%.
Density: initial 1.044-1.056, final 1.008-1.012.
Bitterness Index: 8-20 IBU.
Color: 14-22 SRM.