Beck's Dark - Brauerei Beck & Co.

Nerudamann

Arizona

3.33/5  rDev +9.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Look - Very dark amber in color, almost brown. Two fingers worth of foam that dissipates somewhat slowly. Good carbonation.

Smell - Seems to have a pretty balanced smell. I can't seem to smell it being more toward the hoppy or malty side.

Taste - A little bit of a bitterness from the hops, but that is subdued by something else...something just a bit sweet. Not too strong of an aftertaste, but it's there.

Mouthfeel - Medium..good balance between thickness and wateriness.

Drinkability - Not too bad for a darker beer from Becks. I'm not of a fan of their pilsener, but this style I like better. Not very fulfilling in terms of taste complexity, but the taste isn't bad, and the aftertaste not too strong. Easy enough to come back to.

Serving type: bottle

08-13-2010 05:23:49 | More by Nerudamann

beers2danno

Florida

3.75/5  rDev +23.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

I started drinking this in College on tap at a restuarant that served minors unknowingly. Since then I still enjoy it with a steak and when it is on sale. I wouldn't pay $14 for a 12er, but $10 or $11 is ok.
A...clear coffee colored with light tan head, holds for a short period of time.
S...roasted malty aroma only when head is still there.
T...creamy, toasted maltiness, somewhat coffee like.
M...like a German dark beer should be, slightly heavy but not alot, somewhat carbonated.
D...It goes great with a steak and probably other red meats, i'll try it with a medium rare burger next.

Serving type: bottle

07-29-2010 01:49:30 | More by beers2danno

darkmartin

Virginia

3.15/5  rDev +4%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Appearance: Pours to a dark, reddish brown with a frothy tan head. Head doesn't seem to last long and leaves minimal lacing.

Smell: Fairly grainy, with slight traces of toasted malts.

Taste: Flavor is quite bland, very faint evidence of hops and grassy tones.

Mouthfeel: Clean with very little carbonation.

Drinkability: Very average taste makes it bearable when superior choices are unavailable.

Serving type: bottle

07-22-2010 05:25:42 | More by darkmartin

jsprain1

Minnesota

2.8/5  rDev -7.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 3.5

A- Appearance is a nice brown color, super clear with a thick head on that bears pretty good retention and lacing.
S- smell is of toasted malt, a bit of hoppiness, but mostly just malt and "import lager" smell.
T- Taste is initially malty, but has some metallic element to it common to foreign imports. The hops seem a little lost, as they are present but didn't seem to fuse in with the rest of the beer properly.
M- this, for me was where the beer went wrong. too thin and the carbonation was a little bit to sharp when i wanted smooth.
D- this is a decent session beer, and if you're looking for a beck's/heiniken/amstel type beer, this is actually not a bad choice. all in all, it just didn't do it for me.

Serving type: bottle

06-30-2010 06:23:05 | More by jsprain1

wahhmaster

Virginia

2.48/5  rDev -18.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.5

Poured from a 12 oz. bottle into a Pilsner Urquell pilsner glass.

Appearance: Pours a very dark brown color with reddish hues. Has a large, foamy head that dissipates quickly and leaves spotty lacing.

Smell: Very grainy with hints of grassy hops. A slight spiciness comes out here as well.

Taste: Starts with a grassy hop bitterness. Develops into a sweet, malty finish with hints of toastiness. Has an unfortunate metallic taste to it as well.

Mouthfeel: Thin and watery...

Drinkability: A pretty boring lager. I definitely wouldn't pay for this again. There are much better beers for the price.

Serving type: bottle

06-25-2010 17:21:51 | More by wahhmaster

Mosstrooper

California

2.7/5  rDev -10.9%
look: 4 | smell: 2 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

Poured from 12oz bottle into 23oz NY Mets pilsner glass.

Appearance: Dark copper color with a large off-white head that leaves behind pretty thick lace.

Smell: Grainy, with some floral and herbal notes and lots of grassiness.

Taste: Sweet caramel beginning with a grassier finish.

Mouthfeel: Lighter body with sharp carbonation and a watery finish.

Drinkability: This beer is largely unimpressive- not terrible, but nothing I would try to have again.

Serving type: bottle

06-09-2010 02:09:01 | More by Mosstrooper

wesclaypool

California

1.95/5  rDev -35.6%
look: 3 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 1 | overall: 2.5

A favorite of my mom's, so a mother's day review is in order.

a - Stays true to its title, very dark with dark amber/brown color where the light comes through. Pretty decent head upon initial pour, but faded quickly.

s - Not much going on in terms of smell. Standard, crisp lager-type smell.

t - Bitter at first with no real aftertaste. Can't really discern any special flavors that pop out.

m - Thin, crisp carbonation.

d - Not bad if its all you have, certainly drinkable. Wouldn't go out of my way for it though.

Not my favorite, sorry mom. Happy Mother's Day anyway!

Serving type: bottle

05-09-2010 22:25:33 | More by wesclaypool

BeerManDan

California

3.08/5  rDev +1.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

When poured the color was a dark amber with very little light tan foam and no lace. The smell had a hint of roasted malts and hop's. The taste had a nice balance of bitter/sweetness for a German Lager. This was a pleasent surprise for a mass produced German Lager!

Serving type: bottle

04-26-2010 10:47:00 | More by BeerManDan

SAABtech

Texas

3.08/5  rDev +1.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

was introduced to this beer from an old boss. i think he drank it so that no one else would ask for one... normal appearance, smell but sub par taste stale, oxidized finish that remindes me of pecan shell bitterness.
drinkable because nothing is very intense. kind of bland if you dont think about it much.

Serving type: bottle

04-11-2010 04:53:54 | More by SAABtech

jt31914

Michigan

2.42/5  rDev -20.1%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

12. oz bottle:

A: dark in color with a decent amount of head; pretty carbonated brew.

S: Smell is very faint malty and graininess. Subtle and slightly boring

T: Taste is watery, the worst part of the beer. It is kind of grainy and malty, but it is all too underdone and simple. Nothing exciting and nothing new here; the taste has some kind of odd fruity note on the finish also.

M/D: Very drinkable since it isn't the heaviest dark lager, but I'm not a huge fan of this one... purely average.

Serving type: bottle

03-15-2010 01:09:26 | More by jt31914

tone77

Pennsylvania

3.43/5  rDev +13.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Poured from a green 24 oz. bottle. Has a very dark brown color with a 1/2 inch head. Smell is overwhelmingly of malts. Taste is good, lots of malts with a hint of caramel, finishing slightly bitter. Feels medium bodied in the mouth and has average drinkability. Overall this is a good quality beer.

Serving type: bottle

03-02-2010 15:23:18 | More by tone77

rednrag

Oklahoma

3.75/5  rDev +23.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I once played in a band with a guy whose favorite band was the Rolling Stones and whose favorite beer was Beck's Dark. Well, he was killed in 1995 when a bomb went off in downtown OKC. Anyways,Steve, my brother, I'm listenin' to "Gimme Shelter" and drinkin a Becks Dark. This one's for you. Love ya.

Serving type: bottle

02-27-2010 20:43:12 | More by rednrag

Reagan1984

Massachusetts

3.13/5  rDev +3.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Thick beige head forms atop this beer. Decent retention actually. Shoe Leather brown color with decent clarity.. A little lighter in color than I remember. No lacing at all

Aroma is fairly bright. Grains, a bit of grassy hop aroma. Slight malty notes.

My God this is watery vs the appearance. Pretty much a straight grainy malt flavor. While I knew this was Beck's and didn't expect much, I am blown away how mild the flavor is. Slightly metallic as well. Straight malt flavor with a touch of caramel. Not really sweet at all. Finishes fairly crisp.

Thinner in body then you would imagine.

I bought this single so that I could taste this again, since its been years. It will be years again. Many Many

Serving type: bottle

02-06-2010 22:25:47 | More by Reagan1984

Tilley4

Tennessee

2.88/5  rDev -5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

A fairly dark looking brown in the glass with a creamy thick head... Not outstanding to look at but nothing horrible either....

Rather bland aromas of perhaps some roasted malt but mostly that damn green bottle skunk.. I hate that..

More skunk in the flavor as well... The malts are there and while the beer itself isn't offensive, the skunky aroma and flavor are...

On to the next one here... Glad I got to try it but I won't be going back...

Serving type: bottle

01-29-2010 03:26:24 | More by Tilley4

mempath

Pennsylvania

2.58/5  rDev -14.9%
look: 2 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

this is still better than most any everyday american corporate brew, but still a tepid pour that foams up a little, looks nice and dark and goes flat very fast. looks like flat pepsi. a slight malty/bready nose that poofs away quickly. tastes crisp for a split second and it's drinkable. ok mouthfeel. flat fast. nothing keeps it crisp. but this is drinkable enough and i can't say it tastes bad. it's just not impressive. so many better choices out there. i bought this because it was 1.99 for a 24 oz. bomber. something to drink on the way home while i carried the treasure box of much better brews from more impressive breweries. onwards...

Serving type: bottle

01-23-2010 00:11:35 | More by mempath

flagmantho

Washington

3.6/5  rDev +18.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured from 24oz bottle into a pint glass.

Appearance: clear, deep brown with a little amber hue with a finger of light tan head which dissipated rather quickly. Overall, not bad at all.

Smell: sweet malt aroma with notes of caramel. Perhaps a little on the sweet side, but I still quite like it.

Taste: malty, slightly grainy lager taste but pretty well executed in my opinion. There are hints of the caramel that I got in the aroma as well.

Mouthfeel: lightish body but a nice level of carbonation led to an appealing light-yet-creamy mouthfeel. I like it.

Drinkability: quite nice. It's lager-lightness makes it refreshing and its darkness makes it somewhat more complex and interesting than a normal lager. It reminds me of Negra Modelo; I'm sure it would go great with Mexican food.

Serving type: bottle

01-11-2010 05:24:59 | More by flagmantho

Minkybut

Virginia

2.95/5  rDev -2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

I poured this beer into my tumbler at 45 degrees. The beer was black as it should be and poured a big head. The beer was a nice mahogany color. The beer was skunky smelling as most Becks are. Taste was green like just about every beer like this, kinda Heiny tasting or like a St. Pauli Girl IO will not buy again.

Serving type: bottle

01-01-2010 16:57:28 | More by Minkybut

Clydesdale

District of Columbia

2.88/5  rDev -5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

A: Pours a deep, dark chestnut brown color. The tall, tan head has a thick, frothy texture. Retention is pretty solid, with a spattering of lacing left along the glass.

S: Aroma is primarily of standard herbal German hoppiness along with a muted toasty caramel character. Some vaguely fruity and metallic notes are also noticeable.

T: Some moderate toasty sweetness, with mild caramel flavor. A musty, vaguely fruity, herbal/grassy hop flavor is accompanied by a medium bitterness. Again, a modest metallic flavor.

M: Medium bodied. Rather watery, with thin carbonation. A somewhat mealy, astringent grainy finish.

D: There are worse beers out there, but this is pretty pedestrian. Metallic, musty, and yes, a bit skunky. The mouthfeel is also somewhat laborious unfortunately.

Serving type: bottle

12-14-2009 02:28:02 | More by Clydesdale

Docer

Washington

3.8/5  rDev +25.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

An older buddy of mine at work mentioned this to me... and when I was younger, I would usually buy Becks occasionally because I liked the skunky flavor.

- Quite dar, and rootbeer-like in color... and actually had a fantastic light mocha colored head, and ring of lacing that stuck around a bit... impressed for a mass marketed brew...

- Lovely skunky hop smell... which I actually like. I don't mind the grassy, funky, earthy hops... because I am sure that is the way most all hops used to be before us humans started tweaking them.. Light sweetness, grains, and malt.

- Skunk, smooth grain, no porter-like chocolate, but yet a subtle sweet dark pilsner like brew that actually went down well, and made be take a double-take at the bottle. 24 oz. Becks that I actually liked!

- Not dry like a lot of pilsners... overall very sharp, delightful, and smooth!

- Fort a cheap (cost has NOTHING to do w/ my score) dark pilsner mass German brew... this one has got to be a favorite. If you want a buzz... avoid it, it's light... if you want a fine dark lager-pilsner... you have a winner! For the style, and taste... and beauty.. there you have it!

Serving type: bottle

11-08-2009 05:12:54 | More by Docer

albern

Massachusetts

3.15/5  rDev +4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

I haven't had this beer in 25 years or thereabouts, and it was one of the first "good" beers that were available back then. I was expecting bad things revisiting this all this time later, but alas no. This isn't a bad beer at all, it isn't great, nor is it worth seeking out, but it is eminently drinkable and worthy in its own right. It looks good, with a nice brown mahogany color and nice creamy off white head, with decent retention.

The nose is toasted grains, some sweetish malts, some overly processed aromas too. The taste is quite a bit more dry, slightly hoppier than I remembered it. There is an astringent, slightly nutty, slightly roasted taste, maybe some charring is in there too. The beer falls down in that it has a very overly processed, adjunct feel to it, maybe indicative of something cheaply made. The beer is light enough, but not watery, it is light to medium bodied, but not thin in consistency. The mouthfeel is a touch oily, the aftertaste is very slight.

Serving type: bottle

10-18-2009 18:55:09 | More by albern

dimitrius

Hawaii

2.95/5  rDev -2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A- Poured into a glass stein. Sports a pretty decent sized head with very slight lacing as it quickly dissipates. The color is promising, a rich dark brown with a hint of burgundy.

S- Definite smell of toasty caramel malts, but it's faint. It's important to note that my sense of smell is weaker than my other senses. I think I smell herby hops very, very faintly, and I believe this beer's smell might be slightly more impressive if not for one other characteristic of this bottle's smell: A metallic skunkiness. Unfortunately, I think this one's been in the sun too long.

T- Slightly metallic, almost as if it was in an aluminum can before they bottled it. A touch of the caramel toastiness that the smell promised, but not enough to impress. Slightly hoppy finish, almost overpowered by the fact that it's almost skunky.

M- A slightly watery medium body. Pleasant amount of carbonation, actually, but for me this is not as important as others.

D- I could see a fresh case of this being fairly drinkable over a session. It's not too heavy, has a little bit of character, but overall is pretty average. Looks good in a glass, though.

Serving type: bottle

08-21-2009 04:32:17 | More by dimitrius

cjgator3

Florida

3.08/5  rDev +1.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

12oz bottle

A- Poured into a pint glass. Pours a dark brown color with a light tan head.  

S- The aroma is sweet slightly bready malts with a touch of caramel.

T- The taste like the aroma features some sweet malt and a touch of caramel with a hint of hops in the finish.

M- The mouthfeel is between light and medium bodied with a good amount of carbonation.

D- Overall this is a decent beer but nothing special. I don't think I would purchase again.

Serving type: bottle

08-17-2009 03:47:06 | More by cjgator3

PhxHorn

Arizona

2.58/5  rDev -14.9%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Stuck in a bar with Bud/Miller/Coors, plus this. So I give it a try. Color is a dark amber with a bit of a tan head. Smells of herbs and grass, similar to Heiniken, except not as good. Tastes of herbs and licorice, not a very agreeable flavor, really. Sort of like Heiniken except mixed with licorice and then watered down. Carbonation was fine, but this beer really isn't happening.

Serving type: bottle

08-14-2009 17:04:53 | More by PhxHorn

JoeyBeerBelly

New York

3.75/5  rDev +23.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12oz bottle served in a pilsner glass.

Chestnut brown color with a short-lived white head that left a few spots of lacing.
Roasted malt aroma is pretty good.
Taste falls a bit short of what the aroma is, but it's a decent tasting beer. Much maltier than the original Beck's. Malty sweet finish.
Medium bodied with a good carbonation level/feel.
Goes down easy and is quite sessionable.

Serving type: bottle

08-09-2009 23:58:07 | More by JoeyBeerBelly

hustlesworth

Ohio

3.7/5  rDev +22.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 4

A- rich dark clear rosewood brown with orange highlights. head is beige and loose and short lived and leaves some little spots of lace on the glass.

S- metallic, toasty, caramel, well water, stone, mild chocolate.

T- malty sweet with just the right amount of hop bitterness to balance things out. a little roasted bitterness near the end too.
mild flavor, burnt caramel, toffee, fruity malty tartness, some chocolate and coffee, slightly metallic, old stone, spicy hops, and a nice malty finish with a touch of hop flavor.

MF- i'll call it 'a weighted thinness' medium generic feeling carbonation and the same goes for the body. bubbles are kinda numbing.

D- an easy drinkin dark one, and a great beer to use for cooking as its all around character plays nicely to things that necessitate a flavorful liquid (namely cooking wursts) although i've used it all across the board of german cuisine due to its availability and affordability. point is, i never have a problem drinking what i don't put in the pot.

Serving type: bottle

08-05-2009 16:21:18 | More by hustlesworth