What is a Red or Dark Lager?
Amber Lagers, Red Lagers & Dark Lagers: where they come from, their appearance, flavour & aroma, palate & mouthfeel, food pairings and serving suggestions are all explained in this Beer Styles 201 article.
By The Beer Community on Mar. 22, 2016
What are Red, Dark or American Amber Lagers?
Dark / Red / American Amber Lagers are German style beers that are characterized by their necessity to be in cold storage before they make their way to your glass.
American Amber Lagers were the traditional Bavarian beers before Pale Ale became popular in the late 19th Century.
American Amber Lager / Dark Lager Essential Information:
Style Region:
Germany
Appearance:
American Amber & Dark lagers usually have a reddish-brown colour with a thick white head.
Flavour & Aroma:
Darker lagers tend to have chocolaty flavours and aromas. Sometimes really dark lagers will have a licorice or anise aroma.
Palate & Mouthfeel:
You can expect variable levels of carbonation with a bit of weight, a smooth texture and a fairly short finish in an American Amber or Red Lager.
What foods pair well with Amber / Red Lagers and Dark Lagers?
Hamburgers, hummus, pizza, and gouda cheese pair well with Amber Lagers.
How to serve a Dark Lager and American Amber / Red Lager:
These beers are best drunk at room temperature and can be served in a variety of beer glasses. Try a Pilsner glass, stein or a pint glass.
Comparable styles to American Amber / Red Lagers & Dark Lagers:
Dark lagers are sometimes referred to as Dunkels. This is the German word for dark.