Leinenkugel's Creamy Dark - Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Company

merddyn2002

Texas

4.7/5  rDev +39.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

This is a perfect example of a dark creamy lager. It's velvety and smooth and chocolaty without a burned flavor in most dark beers. Smooth doesn't even cover it really, it truly creamy. The empty bottle is up on my shelf as examples of great beers right next to Midas Touch, Sunset wheat and Cherry wheat. Something I would recommend to a friend who doesn't know what real beer is but wants a great introduction.

Serving type: bottle

08-22-2010 14:47:56 | More by merddyn2002

Lauthaha

Michigan

4.6/5  rDev +36.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a 12 ounce bottle into an average beer mug at around 36 degrees Fahrenheit.

Appearance: Beautiful dark amber/brown color to the beer. Nearly opaque, exactly what I would expect from a dark beer. The head is nice and foamy at about 3/4 inches tall, and recedes slowly leaving a very thin ring of head around the top of the glass. Creamy and dark; so far, so good!

Smell: Also good; gentle malt aroma accented with what smells like coffee and chocolate tones. Pristine bitterness with a mild sweetness that begs for a taste. It's bitey but also reserved...a wonderfully complex aroma. We shall proceed...

Taste: Excellent...near perfect in my opinion. Leinenkugel's may not be a "microbrewery," but they definitely took the time to personally ensure this one was right. The balance between the hops and the malt is probably the best that I have ever had. Undertone reminiscent of pine, caramel; all very, very well mixed together. Aftertaste is not bitter, it is just as creamy as the label suggests. Beautiful, we've got a winner!

Mouthfeel: Creamy, thick. Not overly carbonated, but a slow fizz occurs upon savoring the beer. Goes down very smoothly; it's not hard to take two or three sips in a row. It IS hard to put down the glass long enough to write out a coherent thought process in one take! :-P

Drinkability: I could easily drink this as a session beer, and would go so far as to suggest that it would be just as appropriate with a steak-and-potatoes dinner as it would be with a bag of Doritos and a bowl of salsa. Versatile beer here, I am impressed.

I have enjoyed many of Leinenkugel's other offerings, and this is no exception. They are a company that must truly care about the taste of their product and not "the-bottom-line." I would absolutely recommend this beer to a friend, but even more so to an enemy; the gesture of friendship may actually melt their heart of stone.

Probably not. But the point is, it's an amazing beer. 8-)

Serving type: bottle

08-10-2010 01:32:41 | More by Lauthaha

Beerman420

California

4.4/5  rDev +30.2%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

A very good beer overall.

A - Very attractive. Dark, rich, A+
S - Creamy smell. Rich, almost coffee like. A-
T - Very exceptional. Stands out from many other dark beers. A+
M - Good feel, not a cement feeling from some other dark beers. A-
D - Not very good with the "long haul", but sometimes that's a good thing. C+

Serving type: bottle

03-12-2007 09:21:14 | More by Beerman420

hiikeeba

Texas

4.35/5  rDev +28.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A - Pours up an inky brown with ruby highlights, and a tan head that dissipates slowly.

S - Smells of roasted malt with some sweet malt in the background.

T - Taste starts off with a malty sweetness, finishes with a lightly roasted malt flavor.

M - Creamy mouthfeel with nice carbonation.

D - Very drinkable dark lager.

Serving type: bottle

08-11-2008 23:39:09 | More by hiikeeba

woosterbill

Connecticut

4.25/5  rDev +25.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 4.5

A: The body appears black at first glance, but glows a clear scarlet when held up to direct light; above float two fingers of fairly coarse tan head; ok retention, solid lace. Other than foam that’s not quite as creamy as the beer’s name would suggest, it’s quite lovely.

S: Very, very roasty aroma: dark chocolate, bitter coffee, char, and some grassy hops. It could almost pass for a stout, but instead of background sweetness there’s dry, flinty lager yeast. For the style, I’d have to say that this beer smells outstandingly good.

T: Starts out roasty and yeasty, with dry minerality and bitter coffee roast giving an aggressive welcome. Chocolate and hops show up midway through, with the former mellowing things out a bit but the latter adding some fairly solid bitterness to maintain the challenge. Long, dry, roasty finish. It’s a bit harsh and astringent, but I love the fact that it’s so full-flavored. Again, for a style that promises blandness this beer is simply stellar.

M: The texture is certainly this one’s biggest stumbling block, as it’s rather far from the creaminess promised by its moniker: instead, it delivers a rather thin, watery body along with carbonation that provides more of a tingle than a caress. Disappointing.

O: If it weren’t for the too-thin mouthfeel, I might be terrifyingly close to giving an A+ to a Leinie’s brew. As skeptically as I view this brewery (as I suppose anyone must who has been subjected to Summer Shandy), Creamy Dark has long been my favorite of their offerings. Now that I’ve taken the time to think more critically about it over the course of a review, I’m even more impressed. This would do well listed as a Schwarzbier, but as a Euro Dark Lager it’s really tremendous. If you’re in a crappy bar in Wisconsin that doesn’t even have New Glarus (or if you need a change of pace from Spotted Cow), look for Creamy Dark. Just don’t expect it to be creamy…

Cheers!

Serving type: bottle

07-29-2011 23:28:31 | More by woosterbill

RushLimbmalt

Minnesota

4.22/5  rDev +24.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

This is a very dark lager, almost black, that reminds me a lot of a cream stout, but it is a lager and the flavor does not match the appearance or mouthfeel. That said, it is not bad tasting at all, just not as flavorful as it looks. It has hints of dark chocolate and plenty of dark malt flavors, but they are not very strong at all and make this beer a decent hot summer day brew, if you want a beer with a little character rather than a ice cold macro-swill. I have never been a Leinenkugel fan, but now I think I might change my stance on my evil neighbor state's flagship brewery.

Serving type: bottle

09-20-2004 19:37:08 | More by RushLimbmalt

cdkrenz

Wisconsin

4.18/5  rDev +23.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Appearance - Medium to dark brown body with a hint of amber through the light. The head tops the body light tan and standing at about a half inch tall. Decent lacing as well.

Smell - Good malt scent that really beckons a taste.

Taste - The taste starts out malty and moves to a nice strength of chocolate and even a bit of coffee. The flavor isn't overwhelming but is certainly evident. Very good taste.

Mouthfeel - The feel is soft and fluid. The flavor isn't really assisted by the feel in my opinion. In this case I think that's okay because the flavor is so solid.

~ I've been drinking and enjoying this Wisconsin original since college and I have to say it keeps getting better every time I try it. I loved it in college, and today I can honestly say I don't think I drink enough of Creamy Dark.

note: I hoist this fine brew in honor of Brett Farve retiring today. Here's to you Brett.

Serving type: bottle

03-06-2008 18:12:27 | More by cdkrenz

BierStein711

Illinois

4.15/5  rDev +22.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Delicious burnt chocolate beer!!

Bottle, from the bottle

Jet black with white colored head

Low carbonation, fresh bottle

Tastes of malt and burnt, baker's cocoa

Smells of chocolate, coffee, and lager yeast

Mouthfeel: smooth and rich!

Overall, this is a solid beer. I do not know if I would buy a six-pack. Yet, I'd try it on draught at the first notice.

Serving type: bottle

01-02-2013 17:32:59 | More by BierStein711

AlexisDetroit

North Carolina

4.13/5  rDev +22.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

While in Detroit visiting I bought a case of Leinenkugel at a Costco. Their red ale has been a favorite of mine, and sorry to say, it is not available in San Diego. I am currently in Vietnam until Apr 06. There are some brew pubs here now putting out black beer which reminds me of Sam Adam's black lager and Leinenkugel dark.

Serving type: bottle

12-24-2005 06:57:56 | More by AlexisDetroit

mooseisloose

Florida

4.1/5  rDev +21.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

I poured this beer poured into a 0.4 liter schooner and it resulted in a 1.5 cm tan head that held up for a few minutes then dissapated to 2 mm. The color of the beer is a chocolate brown. The smell is a roasted grain/coffee mocha. Most dark beers are much heavier than this beer and it has a crisp taste for a dark beer. The flavor however is abundant with roasted overtones and a sweet hoppy undertone. This beer has a sparkly mouthfeel and is very light and refreshing. Best to be dranken very cold. The price is right for this beer. It came in a case of 24 with three other leinie flavors for $18. If your looking for a heavy stout this isn't your beer but if your looking for a refreshing crispy beer with dark beer flavor this is your ticket.

Serving type: bottle

12-25-2005 01:43:16 | More by mooseisloose

pmcadamis

Illinois

4.1/5  rDev +21.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

I've never tried a "euro dark lager" before, so I decided to pick up a sixer at WalMart for something like five bucks!

This is exactly what it says. Creamy and dark. I poured this one aggressively into an imperial pint glass, and got a beautiful black brew with a three and a half finger head that went away quickly. I stuck my schnoz into the foam and it smells malty and bready...maybe pumpernickel? But wait, there is a bit of old-beer stank going on here too, and that is a little bit distracting. It really doesn't smell promising.

This tastes almost like a stout, but a little less bitter and alot more sweet. My jaw is on the floor! I can't believe how good this is for a cheapo beer that I got at a damn grocery store! It's very tasty (tastes much better than it smells), and has very little to distract from the sweet creamy malt. I like how rich and chocolatey this is, and I think that this would make for a very nice desert beer. This has me chanting in my head session, session, session.

This has a nice two step taste. First, creamy sweetness is all that I taste...then, a little bit of malt and powdered sugar fade away to a very very sweet and only very slightly dry finish. Excellent.

I am astounded at how awesome this is! It's not a very complex or interesting beer, but damn if it isn't just plain ole' good. For the money, this one is a killer! I have a crazy work schedule and it's hard for me to get to the "good beer" store when it's open but WalMart is open 24 hours a day! This could likely become a staple in my beer diet.
---

Ok, it's a few days and several more of these bad boys later, and I know it's proabably bad form to edit my review, but I just had to bump up the drinkability score to a five. Seriously, this isn't the kind of beer that grabs you by the balls and begs for attention, but I'll be damned if they aren't just plain old good! And they are dirt cheap! (that probably shouldn't be a criteria for drinkability, but when they are less than a buck a peice at the grocery store it's kind of hard not to drink them).

Serving type: bottle

08-14-2006 19:48:59 | More by pmcadamis

dbtoe

Wisconsin

4.1/5  rDev +21.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

This is a good session beer. Good flavor nothing bold and a little week/watery. I think it would be a great intro too dark beer.
Look is dark with a tan head, looks good.
Smell malt and a hint of sweetness.
Taste is very mild a little roast, cream and finish with a hint of bitter.
Feel is thin and carbonation is good.
Drink very sessionable could have a lot of them. I think this is a good drink out of the bottle beer you are not going to miss much by not using a glass, and yet there is some flavor to this beer.

Serving type: bottle

05-26-2009 09:20:24 | More by dbtoe

SargeC

Japan

4.1/5  rDev +21.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Appearance: Dark brown brew with a foamy tan head. Moderate carbonation.

Smell: Roast malt. Coffee, dark chocolate, minerals and minor hops.

Taste: Solid roast malt flavor with a touch of citrus bite. Nice balance, hearty and refreshing.

Mouthfeel: Medium body. Dry, semi-bitter finish.

Drinkablity: Tasty and sessionable. Well crafted brew.

Serving type: bottle

01-02-2010 09:59:30 | More by SargeC

RBorsato

Virginia

4.08/5  rDev +20.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A darn good American Dark Lager which you don't find too often. Dark brown (auburn to light source) with a nice light brown head. Nutty and roasty malt aroma and flavor. Possible traces of a corn-ish aroma but so slight it was hard to tell for sure and it certainly did not detract. I found the beer to be on the light-bodied side but certainly creamy.

Serving type: bottle

11-07-2002 08:55:54 | More by RBorsato

botham

Illinois

4.05/5  rDev +19.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

12 oz bottle poured into a pilsner. pours a dark caramel color with garnet highlights. and a few fingers of light coffee colored head that is tight and leaves moderate lacings. wonderful settling.

aroma is of caramel and chocolate malts, with a light hop character. notes include light coffee, and a mild roasted character. well proportioned, with a pleasant feel.

taste is synonamous with the aroma, with a bit more roasted malt character. an excellent dark lager. very smooth on the finish.

mouthfeel is smooth and creamy, as would be expected, with a medium body and and a creamy finish. light on the CO2.

drinkability is great. a few of these would not hurt any beer advocate. cheers!

Serving type: bottle

01-28-2008 04:07:54 | More by botham

Rennpferd

Wisconsin

4.05/5  rDev +19.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

It poured a frothy four finger head with clingy lacing as it retreated. It was dark like molasses.

It had a well balanced mild malt and hops scent.

Malty, hoppy and a slight bit astringent. It left a dry, pleasant hop after-taste. It had a lite body that was refreshing.

It is very drinkable. A fairly neutral beer with dark lager qualities.

Serving type: bottle

03-07-2009 23:47:08 | More by Rennpferd

TheSarge

Illinois

4.05/5  rDev +19.8%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Looks pretty good. Nice two finger thick light tan cranium, with great retention and lacing. The body is very dark and deep ruby red when held up to light.

This has a nice citrusy/lemon aroma upfront, with slight hints of toasty coffee.

The taste has a good citrusy character to it as well, and the coffee is definitely there.

This brew is well balanced, crisp, and revitalizes the palate quite well. I would venture to say this would hold up well with any German Schwarz (black) beer.

Serving type: bottle

01-05-2010 17:22:10 | More by TheSarge

lwillitz

Florida

4.05/5  rDev +19.8%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12-oz bottle into Samuel Smith "Tulip" pint glass

A - Beautiful! 3-finger, thick, mocha-colored head laces the glass very nicely as it goes down. The body is pitch black, but transparent with ruby highlights when backlit.

S - chocolate, roasted malts, and a hint of coffee and bitter hops

T - Delicious! The flavor of roasted malts is delightfully complemented by a strong presence of bitter hops. The case and bottle specifically advertise the combination of Cluster, Cascade, and Mt. Hood hops, and I can taste why. This is a well-crafted beer indeed!

M - Thinner than it looks. Medium-bodied with medium carbonation. Very smooth!

O - This is certainly the best Leinenkugel's offering I have tried. It looks amazing in the glass, the smell is nothing but inviting, the taste is very good, and the smooth consistency is quite pleasant. I highly recommend it!

Serving type: bottle

03-24-2011 23:18:34 | More by lwillitz

gmfessen

Michigan

4.03/5  rDev +19.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured from the bottle into a pint glass, beer is a beautiful ruby-brown color with an off-white, thick, bubbly head. Smell is not overwhelming, but is of dark roasted malt and slightly of hops. The taste is similar to the nose, with the toasted malts coming out very nicely. Balanced very well and has a smooth finish. Beer is medium bodied with a good amount of carbonation. This is a very drinkable beer, one of my favorites by Leine's.

Serving type: bottle

01-29-2007 05:36:42 | More by gmfessen

MakeIncuSciBus

Illinois

4.03/5  rDev +19.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

This beer pours a dark amber color. Very little head at all, and what there is appears white/brown. Smell is malty, with some caramel/sweet odor.

This beer tastes very good. It is a bit darker and heavier than others, but nowhere near say a Guinness draught.

Serving type: bottle

11-03-2010 20:24:24 | More by MakeIncuSciBus

supercolter

Minnesota

4/5  rDev +18.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A- very dark, almost black, very hard to see through, some head, very little lacing (but the cup was plastic... ridiculous)
S- some oat, malt, a bit of coffee
T-good flavor, just a bit weak for my taste, but had a good creamy flavor, with a coffee type finish
M- creamy but moves around in mouth pretty easy, not a real lot of carbonation
D- the creaminess makes it a little hard, but the flavor is light enough to accomodate it

Serving type: on-tap

05-13-2006 18:59:24 | More by supercolter

TechMyst

Illinois

4/5  rDev +18.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

CONTAINER VOLUME: 355ml

CONTAINER TYPE: bottle

FRESH: y

PURCHASED @: sullivans

COST: $7/6pack

HEAD: tall dissapating to minimal

LACE: some

COLOR:
REFLECTED- black
TRANSMITTED- deep amber

MOUTHFEEL: medium

PALATE: adjusts after a while

COMMENTS: I was expecting a stout, but this is an American Dark Lager. Excellent as a lager, I would say.

CONDITIONS:
MOWING/WORKING ON CAR- n
WITH FRIENDS- y
SIPPING- y
GET MY BUZZ ON- y

Serving type: bottle

09-13-2006 05:43:04 | More by TechMyst

Homerbag

Wisconsin

4/5  rDev +18.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Nice thick dark beer. Has a thin cream head that compliments the darkness of the lager. Great sweet, malty flavors with an aftertaste that lingers with hints of caramel and coffee. This is a great cold weather beer that can act as meal in itself. I can't pick a favorite lieny beer, but some days this is it.

edit: after tasting many more beers, this is good, but not as great as I thought it was.

Serving type: bottle

09-10-2007 06:57:01 | More by Homerbag

armock

New York

4/5  rDev +18.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Pours a dark brown color with a tan head that leaves some lacing

S - Sweet malt with chocolate and coffee hints

T - Malt and hints of coffee

M - A lot of carbonation but still smooth and creamy

D - Easy to drink could have a few of these in one sitting

Serving type: bottle

11-08-2007 19:30:06 | More by armock

MMAJYK

Georgia

4/5  rDev +18.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A. Deep chocolate with whispy head of 3/4". You can see through the beer if held to light.

S. Creamy and milky with a touch of roast and smoke. Oats and raisins round it out. Pleasantly complex!

T. Chocolate malt, butterscotch, whipped cream, and caramel.

M. Light and lager like but with a super creamy feel.

D. I am going to pick up a sixer of this stuff ASAP. I see the low reviews before me and I just wonder if this beer is better from the tap or if I just got a super fresh pour...anyway, I liked this beer and that's all that matters.

Serving type: on-tap

01-06-2009 15:41:08 | More by MMAJYK