Leinenkugel's Creamy Dark - Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Company

PhantomVodoo

Ohio

3.63/5  rDev +7.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Dark brown with a tan head.
Roasted malts dominate the aroma.

Medium to heavily roasted malts provide the majority of the taste. Kind of a toasty flavor with just a hint of chocolate and coffee. Hops are there to balance and allow the beer to finish well, but do little more than that. Flavor is clean for a lager.

Mouthfeel is a tad thin. I expect a little more from a beer this dark.
This one is clean and mild-mannered making it quite drinkable.

Overall, a quality dark lager, but nothing special.

Serving type: bottle

04-12-2003 21:09:22 | More by PhantomVodoo

Quaffer

Nevada

2.8/5  rDev -17.2%
look: 4 | smell: 2 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Appearance: This was a very dark, ruby-brown lager with a light tan head. It rose up to almost two fingers and then disappeared quickly. A thin layer of foam was left capping the beer, leaving a decent amount of lace behind.

Smell: The smell was very disappointing. There was a hint of chocolate malt, but the main aroma was a sour corn smell. It's like it wants to smell good, it's trying to smell good, but it just can't. That chocolate aroma is just a tease and nothing more.

Mouthfeel: Thin-bodied and kind of rough. There was nothing very creamy about this Creamy Dark.

Taste: The flavor was thin and watery. There were hints of roasted malts upfront that were overshadowed by a sourness that emerged in the middle. The dark malt flavor came back in the finish. There was no bitterness or hops present at all.

I remember enjoying this beer much more in the past. I'm not sure if they altered the recipe or if my tastes have changed. Either way you look at it, rather disappointing.

Serving type: bottle

03-28-2003 13:53:17 | More by Quaffer

ZAP

Minnesota

3.68/5  rDev +8.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

I feel this is the pick of the Leinie's litter...Really not a bad dunkel on it's own, and when you figure in the decent price it is really worth a look (I am rating without factoring in the cost)..

Pours a deep amber tinted brown....clear and clean looking with a big frothy creamy one inch tan head...the nose is all chocolatea very nice inviting aroma...the mouthfeel is on the thin side but this is a dunkel not a stout remember...still, I could use a bit more texture....drinkability rates relatively high....it's a decent tasting dunkel that slides down nicely.....taste is sweet cocoa...and a tich of vanilla..

I've rated a bunch of beers now, and didn't expect to like this one that much but really to me it is a decent dunkel and worth drinking if you like this style...definitely above average..

Serving type: bottle

03-24-2003 21:35:36 | More by ZAP

oberon

North Carolina

3.4/5  rDev +0.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

True to its word it ia a very creamy dark beer,very dark brown/black with good creamy head that doesnt stick around lond.Chocolatey aroma smells very sweet.Toasted malty taste and chocolaty,kinda thin after a few drinks.Pretty good beer had it with some hot wings and seemed to pair up pretty good.

Serving type: bottle

03-24-2003 10:52:32 | More by oberon

tavernjef

Minnesota

3.48/5  rDev +3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Color was a nice off black, brown with some off-white head, no lace. Smell is a malty caramel roast with some vanilla notes. Taste is a balance of sweet chocolatey malt and roasted malt with little hop presence. The body is to thin and light and could be more flavored. Its smooth and light, somewhat creamy I guess, nothing stood out for me. Very clean, light, and roastly sweet. Not bad.

Serving type: on-tap

03-24-2003 10:44:39 | More by tavernjef

ElGuapo

New Jersey

3.45/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Dark brown with a little off-white lace on top. NIce malt aroma with a good roasty character to it. Also a nice chocolatey smell. An overall pretty good whiffer.

Sweet malts with some dark roasted malts. Hints of coffee, and a nice chocolate kick make this a pretty good brew. The body is a tad thin, and the flavor is not quite as full as it should be. It is very smooth with light carbonation. I guess you could say creamy. It is also very drinkable. I could possibly go down this road again, but a friend brought it from VA, so I don't think I will see it any time soon.

Serving type: bottle

03-10-2003 16:35:38 | More by ElGuapo

GeoffRizzo

Texas

3.15/5  rDev -6.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a dark brown with a thin head that quickly goes away. A mild malt and mild burnt coffee smell, this has the initial feel of a porter. The mouthfeel is of a great balance of malt and slight coffee, though a light feel of malt is left on the palate.

Notes. It's tough to tell what Leinny is doing with any of it's beers, evident by the name---creamy dark lager, do they mean a stout or porter? This is more of a light porter, but the best offering by Leinenkugel, still somewhat on the average side.

Serving type: bottle

02-27-2003 19:59:28 | More by GeoffRizzo

zerk

California

3.93/5  rDev +16.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours a dark brown with a quickly dissipating head that leaves behind some lace. Aroma is sweet... dark chocolate and caramel combine with just a touch of coffee. Flavor is quite malty... caramel and chocolate with just a touch of herbal hops... nicely balanced, leaning a bit to the sweet side. Mouthfeel is a bit thin, but overall this is a very drinkable beer.

Probably the best beer that Leinenkugel's puts out, this is pretty close to being a Schwarzbier.

Serving type: bottle

01-10-2003 07:34:43 | More by zerk

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

BeerBob

Nebraska

3.93/5  rDev +16.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Leinenkugel’s “Creamy Dark” Lager pours a thick black from a 12oz twist off cap bottle. The tan head is packed with small dense bubbles that lace well after rising to two fingers when poured.

Light whiffs of fig are in the nose along with a barley malt presents. Palate is burnt malt and a slight barley malt with drying hops. Also to be found on the palate are dark roasted coffee and bitter chocolate notes that can easily pass for a stout.

Leinenkugel’s “Creamy Dark” Lager is how the label on the bottle reads, but this beer is really a stout.

Serving type: bottle

11-05-2002 01:01:11 | More by BeerBob

aaronh

Pennsylvania

2.35/5  rDev -30.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2

This is a very attractive beer that just did not excite my tastebuds. It was rather un-inspiring. It did have a nice rich color and an attractive head. It did not seem "creamy" at all, and it had a peculiar aftertaste which I can't quite put my finger on, but it was almost like chocolate flavored lemon juice. Sounds weird, but that's about the best I can do. It was definitely an acidic finish. Not one of my favorites and not one I will try again soon.

Serving type: bottle

10-03-2002 17:09:25 | More by aaronh

EagleTalon

Arkansas

3.8/5  rDev +12.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 3.5

The king of mouthfeel? They call it “creamy dark” for a reason. Tight, low permanent head. Little aroma, but it is roasty and sweet smelling. Low bitterness. Roasted malts give this beer a nice flavor. But how did they get that thick body? I can eat this stuff with a spoon. A tasty, easy drinking dark beer with no funky off flavors, but not spectacular, either. One of Leinie’s better offerings.

P.S. Do I need to see a doctor? I could swear that the mouthfeel of this beer was plenty thick for the style, if the style being referring to is American "dark lager". Comments and questions are welcome. Beer mail me if you think I am nuts!

Serving type: bottle

08-24-2002 01:38:50 | More by EagleTalon

brakspear

Wisconsin

3/5  rDev -11.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Pours dark brown with nice tan foamy head that lingers. Aroma has backdrop of perhaps cluster hops on malt tang; taste has slight chocolate and sweetness followed by hop bitterness; body is too light for style and not creamy as the name would suggest. Not a bad beer if you are looking for something with more depth than the typical macro beer.

Serving type: bottle

08-07-2002 16:59:21 | More by brakspear

bditty187

Nebraska

3.13/5  rDev -7.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Largely earthy-brown in hue, slightly darker in the middle but it doesn’t approach black, golden highlights where the light penetrates it thoroughly (sides of the glass, for example). The tan head reached a modest finger in height, it held well enough. Not much subsequent lacing was produced. I can sumup the palate in one word: odd. The chocolate malt is very restrained as is any roasted flavors. I doubt that Leinienkugel was aiming for roasted flavors but the absents of them in a dark lager is still disappointing. There is a faint sweetness too, maybe oats or grits? Caramel malts? The hops taste old and dull and kind of cheesy in taste. The sweetness and cheese flavor are the origins for the “odd” taste remark. The mouthfeel has a very modest creamy sensation, maybe oats? Or maybe I am being susceptible. Medium in body but watery and thinner that need be. It is easy to drink because it is easy on the palate. I often resort to drinking this at local sporting events, it has enough flavor to keep me interested but not enough to purchase for home consumption even when six-packs run for $5.00.

Serving type: bottle

08-03-2002 10:29:50 | More by bditty187

ryanocerus

Iowa

3.78/5  rDev +11.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

It poured nearly black with a thick caramel head. The aroma of malt was present, though not overwhelming. The flavor also contained a malty sweetness, but balanced well with the chocolate flavors present. I gave it a slightly lower mouthfeel because it was a bit thin. I enjoy this beer which can be found on sale quite reasonably some times.

Serving type: bottle

07-27-2002 00:33:30 | More by ryanocerus

Bighuge

Minnesota

3.08/5  rDev -8.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

The beer pours a dark shade of ruby and throws out a medium brown creamy head. There's a nice little chocolate/coffee aroma to this beer. Very pleasant. The taste is really lacking something. I had this on tap a year ago and I remember it being quite a bit better. The taste has some shades of cocoa and coffee bean. A very small amount of bitterness coming from the roasted malt I believe. Pretty average brew here.

Serving type: bottle

07-09-2002 19:03:36 | More by Bighuge

Dogbrick

Ohio

3.9/5  rDev +15.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Very impressive color and aroma. Smooth pour and it earns the "creamy" moniker, as I was surprised how smooth it was for a dark beer. My first Dunkel and I would definitely buy again.

Serving type: bottle

07-06-2002 17:15:51 | More by Dogbrick

packetknife

Idaho

3.3/5  rDev -2.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

My friends and I like this beer. It's thick, creamy, a bit cooked, creamy head. Doesn't reflect its taste in the smell though but it doesn't smell bad.

Serving type: bottle

04-28-2002 08:27:02 | More by packetknife

ADR

Pennsylvania

2.93/5  rDev -13.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

This beer showed up about two years ago, about when the Winter Lager seasonal (which I liked) and the Auburn Ale (which was pretty mediocre) dissappeared.

Dark in presentation and nice smell, small and speedy bubbles...short, dense head...Very heavy on a chocolate taste, the malts are obviously chosen for this effect, a little more hop would also help...very one- dimensional in flavor, no complexity and less mouthfeel than implied by the pour. Nice try but doesn't make it.

Serving type: bottle

03-06-2002 11:52:51 | More by ADR