Efes Dark - Anadolu Efes Brewery

Fatehunter

Oregon

2.3/5  rDev -24.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.25

A thin head on a brown colored body.
The aroma had a hint of roasted malt and a lot of dry grain.
The taste starts okay with a little roasted malt and then descends into super malty sweet hell.
The texture was sticky with moderate carbonation.
Stay away until it's the only game in town... then find another town.

Serving type: bottle

06-13-2013 00:45:41 | More by Fatehunter

jmdrpi

Pennsylvania

3.41/5  rDev +11.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25

330mL bottle, best before 29/09/12. I guess the store had some old bottles.

appears very dark brown, red highlights, thin off-white head, good head retention. malty aroma, no hops. fairly sweet taste, smooth, easy drinking. mild. lingering aftertaste. thin to medium body, medium carbonation. overall - not bad, it has a good mild flavor and high drinkability.

Serving type: bottle

03-19-2013 01:46:58 | More by jmdrpi

UCLABrewN84

California

3.08/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Best before 4/27/13.

Pours an almost opaque super dark crimson-brown with a foamy khaki head that settles to a partial film on top of the beer. Thin rings of lace line the glass on the drink down. Smell is of toasted malt, caramel, and a brewed tea aroma. Taste is mainly of toasted bread and slightly burnt caramel. There is a very mild amount of roasty bitterness on the palate with each sip. This beer has a lower level of carbonation with a slightly crisp mouthfeel. Overall, this is a pretty average beer that is decently drinkable but nothing too exciting.

Serving type: bottle

02-15-2013 05:25:14 | More by UCLABrewN84

RonaldTheriot

Louisiana

4.43/5  rDev +44.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Efes Dark has a thick, cream-colored head, a dark brown, tea color, and some decent lacing left down the glass. The aroma is of dark-roasted malt, brown bread, and there’s a little hop spice in the nose upon a deep inhalation. The flavor is similar, with lots sugar, some coffee, and a relatively strong alcohol burn in the back of the throat. Mouthfeel is pretty light, and Efes Dark finishes crisp, clean, refreshing, dry, and highly drinkable. Overall, this is a most excellent beer.

RJT

Serving type: bottle

01-06-2013 15:57:33 | More by RonaldTheriot

burri

3.75/5  rDev +22.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

the drink is orangy yellow with quick lining formed at the top gives it a unique glistening look
smell is not much flavoured. smells of citrus and alcohol
tastes dry. alcohol not really hidden. Just so you know what you're getting. There's the taste of vodka that it's been mixed with
mouthfull is heavy, and it fills your whole mouth giving you a dry taste, however i liked it in this one because it wasn't very sour.

Serving type: can

11-11-2012 12:51:37 | More by burri

WastingFreetime

Wisconsin

2.58/5  rDev -15.7%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

Reviewed from notes.

Pours out a dark brown with a minimal flash head that doesn't leave behind any lacing. Lighter side of medium body and carbonation levels.

Smells and tastes partially skunky, but there is some mild toasted bread in there in the background of the flavor and some mild floral hopping in the aroma. And that's it. A simple beer with not much going for it other than the very basics. Overall it's not very good, but not quite bad enough for me to call it terrible. It is, however, completely forgettable and most certainly not good enough to actually seek out.

Serving type: bottle

10-30-2012 22:52:50 | More by WastingFreetime

rarbring

Sweden

3.48/5  rDev +13.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A dark chestnut colored beer. A grey tan head with some lacing and some curtains.

Smelling of molasses, dark dried fruits, somewhat floral.

Tasting of dark bread crust, fig marmalade and some grape-fruit peel.

Medium carbonation, a sticky texture. A medium body with a somewhat dry finish.

Some character through the burned notes.

Serving type: bottle

10-09-2012 22:02:43 | More by rarbring

Thehuntmaster

South Africa

2.5/5  rDev -18.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

500ml can, 6,1% Abv.
Served chilled in an over sized wine glass.
Best Before: 06/07/13

Thanks to my buddy Jon for bringing this back from Turkey for me.

Appearance: Medium brown body (a back light shows it to in fact be deep red) topped by a large off white head. The head lasts pretty well and coats the glass in beautiful sheets of lacing as it recedes.

Smell: This actually smells half decent. Notes include: Toasted grain, some caramel, a touch of chocolate and sweet maize.

Taste: Nowhere near as good as the nose, with a lot more sweet adjunct character noted. Maize and stale grain are about it, with almost no dark malt character noted.

Mouthfeel: Light body, with a high level of fairly smooth carbonation.

Overall: Efes Dark is certainly drinkable and better than some other dark lagers I have had, but I think I prefer their standard pilsner.

Serving type: can

10-08-2012 08:15:37 | More by Thehuntmaster

metter98

New York

3.13/5  rDev +2.3%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A: The beer is clear but a very dark reddish brown in color. It poured with a quarter finger high off white head that died down very rapidly leaving some lacing on the surface and a thin collar around the edge of the glass.
S: There are light aromas of dark malts and sweetness in the nose.
T: Like the smell, the taste is slightly sweet and has flavors of dark malts with notes of burnt caramel and molasses. The latter two flavors particularly linger though the finish.
M: It feels light-bodied and a bit watery on the palate with a moderate amount of carbonation.
O: This beer is rather easy to drink and has a nice amount of flavors.

Serving type: bottle

07-21-2012 12:34:46 | More by metter98

dbrauneis

New Jersey

3.13/5  rDev +2.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

A: Pours a clear dark amber to medium brown in color with some light amounts of visible carbonation near the surface of the beer. The beer has a quarter finger tall off-white head that almost instantly reduces to a thin ring at the edges of the glass. Light amounts of lacing are observed.

S: The aroma is sweet and malty with hints of burnt sugar, caramel, and molasses. There is almost a little hint of nuttiness.

T: The flavor of this beer is mild with some light sweet malts - there are hints of caramel and molasses.

M: On the lighter side of medium bodied with moderate to heavy amounts of carbonation.

O: The flavor of this beer almost reminds me of an English mild but a little sweeter. This beer is enjoyable and easy to drink, might be a little too high ABV to be sessionable but definitely one I would have again.

Serving type: bottle

07-21-2012 02:22:18 | More by dbrauneis

djura

Serbia

3.28/5  rDev +7.2%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Got it from Turkey. It is 6.1 % alc. now.

A-Dark cola like color,with bubbles and minute lasting darker foam.

S-Almost nothing,coffee and some sweetness.

T/M-Roasted coffee is dominate,some caramel taste,bitterness in the mouth,also some sweetness.

O-Drink it cold,worth to try it.

Serving type: can

06-10-2012 15:28:04 | More by djura

woodychandler

Pennsylvania

3.1/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

When my local trading partner, Tone77, dropped off his latest batch for me, I was anxious to make my way through everything and that feeling has not subsided. This has been just plain fun.

This really looked like cola as it was being decanted from the bottle into a glass! Well, except for the two-plus fingers of dense deep-tan head that seemed determined to hang around. Color was a deep brown with garnet highlights and good clarity for the shade. Nose gave an initial hit of molasses and I wondered how that would translate in terms of taste. Only one way I know of to find out ... Mouthfeel was medium, at best, and the taste was somewhat medicinal, like cough syrup when I was a kid, but not necessarily in a bad way. I was still getting the molasses vibe and as long as you are okay with that flavor profile, it was a drinkable beer. Finish exuded a light tartness to go with the light astringency. Not bad, not great, but definitely interesting. Perhaps if a style descriptor is ever written, I can revise my scores as needed.

Serving type: bottle

04-03-2012 23:27:52 | More by woodychandler

canucklehead

British Columbia (Canada)

3.73/5  rDev +21.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Now that this is available in BC in a can ,I gave it a try. Not a bad dark lager with a nice caramel note to the finish on par with many of the Euro dark lagers. I like the full mouthfeel and the slightly nutty nose. It is also very food friendly which makes it a good BBQ beer. I will be picking up some cans of this for the Summer as it is hard to find decent darker lagers in cans.

Serving type: can

03-29-2012 23:38:17 | More by canucklehead

tone77

Pennsylvania

3.85/5  rDev +25.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured from a brown 11.2 oz. bottle. Has a very dark brown color with a 1/2 inch head. Smell is of malts, toffee. Taste is good, malts, smoke, some caramel, a touch of sweetness. Feels medium bodied in the mouth and overall is a refreshing and enjoyable beer.

Serving type: bottle

03-15-2012 13:14:29 | More by tone77

flagmantho

Washington

4/5  rDev +30.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from 330mL bottle into a pint glass. The label says 6.1% ABV rather than the above-listed 6.5%.

Appearance: rich brown hue with a hazeless body and two fingers of creamy tan foam. A good looking beer!

Smell: malty, slightly sweet caramel and roasty aroma. There's also a nice graininess to it; sometimes the grain can be annoying, but I find in this beer it works quite well. It reminds me of brewing grains right at dough-in.

Taste: mild and slightly sweet malt flavor. Roasted malts bring in a touch of chocolate and a hint of astringency at the end. Overall, this is an exceptionally clean beer with an enticing and fulfilling flavor.

Mouthfeel: medium-light body with a good level of carbonation and a damn fine level of creaminess, especially for the style. Capital!

Overall: I don't know why this beer doesn't get more love. I'm finding it very satisfying and tasty.

Serving type: bottle

11-25-2011 18:00:20 | More by flagmantho

jsprain1

Minnesota

3.15/5  rDev +2.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

A- Dark brown with a thick light tan head. Lsats fairly well and leaves a good bit of lacing.
S- The aroma is not that pleasant. Sweet grain and a really off caramel aroma.
T- Fairly sweet with a light cocoa flavor. Caramel is pretty strong.
M- Medium-light body with medium-high carbonation.
O- It's a bit better than your average Euro Dark Lager. Not overwhelmingly so, but only a bit so. Worth a try, but maybe not worth the price.

Serving type: bottle

11-18-2011 01:08:00 | More by jsprain1

evlu1441

Alberta (Canada)

2.6/5  rDev -15%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

The beer has a dark brown/reddish colour. It's reminiscent of a glass of newcastle if that means anything. The head is frothy and forms a nice layer on top.

Some slight roasted and sweet/molasses aromas come through, but it is mixed in with some mass-produced chemical smell. Not digging it.

The Flavour is slightly aromatic and has hints of orange peel. It has a kind of diluted/adjunct flavour that is accented with a tinge of astringency (I assume alcohol).

Overall, this is a bit of a mixed bag. I'm personally not too into it, but I see how some people might be.

Serving type: can

11-05-2011 07:22:03 | More by evlu1441

chetripley

Illinois

3.1/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Poured from the bottle into a clear plastic polycarbonate cup. Poured smooth and bubbly with a thin beige head that disappeared quickly. Bottle was shipped in luggage by friend traveling from Istanbul.

Dark brown color, with sparkles of yellow thanks to the occasional bubble, and aroma of malt and an unrecognizable spice.

Tasted like a dark lager, very slight bitterness, with no unexpected flavors. Just average mostly.

Compares to macro darks I have had, Michelob Amber Bock, Becks Dark comes to mind.

If there was something missing I would say that with its slightly elevated alcohol content there is not any extra alcohol flavor, which I think would be a plus.

Serving type: bottle

10-12-2011 13:12:17 | More by chetripley

Arithmeticus

Maryland

2.2/5  rDev -28.1%
look: 3 | smell: 1 | taste: 3 | feel: 1 | overall: 2

Poured chilled in water glass in hotel in Sofia, . Ingredients include barley and rice!

A: dark molasses color, foamy big head, little carbonation (all goes to the head)
S: macrostink; stale malt smell
T: roasted grains prominent, sweet, not very bitter; yep, a strong lager, sort of in the classic British tradition but on the craft-less side.
M: watery, unlively

No need to hunt this one down. Efes's pilsener is better.

Serving type: bottle

08-26-2011 13:01:06 | More by Arithmeticus

stephenjmoore

Maryland

3.23/5  rDev +5.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A - Very dark brown, white head that disappears quickly.

S - Roasted malts mostly, maybe a slight coffee note.

T - Malty, hints of dried fruit, but mostly dark malt flavors.

M - Light, moderately carbonated, overall mouthfeel of an average macro.

O - Pretty good for what it is, would have never guessed the 6.1% abv. Overall a smooth dark beer that has good drinkability.

Serving type: bottle

08-25-2011 02:25:53 | More by stephenjmoore

mikeg67

New Jersey

3.18/5  rDev +3.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Clear (!) bottle. Pours dark reddish- brown with a short lived, off-white head. Nose is grassy hops, hints of toffee and cherry. Medium, slightly crisp body. Caramel malt, toffee balanced on the palate by grassy hops, some hints of raisins and mineral water. Medium, semisweet finish. Pleasant, drinkable brew.

Serving type: bottle

08-13-2011 13:21:38 | More by mikeg67

WoodBrew

Illinois

2.8/5  rDev -8.5%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Had a can of this beer that I shared with others at a beer tasting. I borought this back from Turkey. The can is quite cool...black with a red panther. The appearance was a darker amber, almost a caramel color. Decent carbonation lent to a nice head that did not lace. There really was nothing on the nose....perhaps some malt, but that was it. The taste did have some malt and sweetness to it, but mostly grain. This beer wasn't too bad, but I probably just pefer to drink the standard Efes.

Serving type: can

07-24-2011 12:57:52 | More by WoodBrew

Mora2000

Texas

3.33/5  rDev +8.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

The beer pours a dark brown color with a tan head. The aroma is heavy on the malt with some toffee and a little bit of grass from the hops. The flavor is equally malty. I get some cocoa and toasted malt, as well as some toffee and a little bit of grass. Thin to medium mouthfeel and medium carbonation. Not bad, but nothing special.

Serving type: bottle

07-04-2011 03:52:16 | More by Mora2000

claytong

Vermont

2.58/5  rDev -15.7%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

appearance - thick dark pecan color, a mediocre head

smell - caramel, sugary, floral

taste - caramel, light hops bitter, sugar, a cheap production

mouthfeel - goes down quickly, i like the style a lot more than the pale, so the drinkability for me is a step up

not bad for the area, but nothing i would ever get out of the area.

Serving type: bottle

05-30-2011 17:00:54 | More by claytong

biboergosum

Alberta (Canada)

3.43/5  rDev +12.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

500ml can.

This beer pours a clear dark reddish brown hue, with two fingers of thin foamy pale beige head, which settles quickly, leaving a low rise of lace around the glass in its wake. It smells of semi-sweet grain, some general fruitiness, and a metallic edge. The taste is sweet bready malt, mild chocolate, a bit of nuttiness, some continuing metallic steeliness, and earthy, leafy hops. The carbonation is fairly low, the body medium-light, and generally smooth. It finishes still sweet, with a decent drying alcohol, grainy malt offset.

A surprisingly decent strong lager, reminiscent of a dunkel. A little on the sweet side overall, but drinkable all the same.

Serving type: can

04-14-2011 04:45:40 | More by biboergosum