Heineken Dark Lager - Heineken Nederland B.V.

RoyalT

Ohio

1.7/5  rDev -47.5%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 1 | overall: 1

Appearance – Clear light brown body with a typical bee-bop head that went up and down in less than ten seconds.

Smell – Nice scent of toasted malt and caramel.

Taste – Ugh! An insult to dunkel lager to say the least. It’s tough to explain. The cheap, burnt malt flavor is somewhat bitter but nowhere near nice. The tease of caramel sweetness turned into a handful of Sweet-N-Low picked up from the floor of a dirty diner after a long week. I think I actually tasted a cigarette butt in there.

Mouthfeel – Flat and difficult to swallow. The worst.

Drinkability – The smell wasn’t that bad, but that taste was evil incarnate. Sorrow I couldn’t offer much positive here, but the only purpose for making this beer would seem so that a regular Heiny-in-a-can doesn’t taste so bad. This "one" rating was well earned.

Comments – Chase this with a shot of Jaegermeister.

Serving type: bottle

09-10-2003 01:17:34 | More by RoyalT

ViveLaChouffe

Georgia

1.73/5  rDev -46.6%
look: 2 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 1.5 | overall: 1.5

Pours a deep clear reddish brown, tinges of mahogany. thin tan head with no lace at all. Smells of caramel malt. Lighlty fruity.

Mouth is malty and flabby. None of the richness of the nose is evident in the flavor at all. Limp and weak. Some faint herbal hops. lightly fizzy and really thin. Nothing particularly appealing about this one. Way worse than regular Heineken. Pass.

Serving type: bottle

07-31-2006 02:50:10 | More by ViveLaChouffe

DogFood11

California

1.98/5  rDev -38.9%
look: 1.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2

Red beer, medium carbonation, thin white head that fades never to be seen again. crystal clear. smell was of light sweet malt, lots of similarities to an Irish red.

There is an added depth in the taste, sweetness has a caramel lean to it although I'm admittadly reaching. Really no hop presence and I wasn't expecing one so this came through in the clutch. If you like soft malt profiles, innoffensive, uneventful brews this is worth a shot.

Whoa back up the bus, It's been a while since I've been on a blah beer streak but this makes 2 in a row that just have me wondering.

Serving type: bottle

03-17-2006 05:12:34 | More by DogFood11

packetknife

Idaho

2/5  rDev -38.3%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 1.5 | overall: 2

Reddish-brown, tan head that doesn't hold. No real smell to speak of. No real taste to speak of either. Slight bitter after-taste. Watery.

Serving type: bottle

05-31-2002 15:29:08 | More by packetknife

Brent

Kentucky

2.05/5  rDev -36.7%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2

Sweet with a pronounced apple aroma. Some caramel malt, but not much. Mildly hopped. Mouthfeel was thin. Not very satisfying.

Serving type: bottle

08-08-2001 12:42:00 | More by Brent

Gusler

Arizona

2.05/5  rDev -36.7%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2

As a rule, I would not rate anything from Heineken, but as I was given a sixer of this beer by an acquaintance, what the hell.

On the pour a deep incarnadine color, the head miniscule, the color something akin to dirty grey, the lace AWOL. Nose prototypical malt and nothing else, the start slightly sweet with the top cadaverous and the finish ferine in its acidic bite, hops as one would expect for the style and brewery sparse, dry aftertaste, another “Habeas Corpus” beer where’s the body, and where’s the flavor.

Serving type: bottle

09-03-2003 23:38:46 | More by Gusler

KarlHungus

Minnesota

2.08/5  rDev -35.8%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2

Pours a dark brown color witha very small tan head that recededs fast into nothing. The faint smeel is sweet and malty. Taste is very unimpressive, and bland. There just isn't much there. The smell does not translate over into the taste. There is a mild sweetness and a mild bitterness, but nothing that stands out. The mouthfeel is medium-thin. Overall, this beer is bad.

Serving type: bottle

06-07-2005 19:45:22 | More by KarlHungus

aracauna

Georgia

2.13/5  rDev -34.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2

Had to force my way through it. Almost no flavor and the metallic aftertaste was unpleasant to say the least. Not bad looking, though.

Serving type: bottle

04-11-2002 21:04:48 | More by aracauna

aaronh

Pennsylvania

2.13/5  rDev -34.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2

Deep mahogany body really throws off some red highlights, topped by a decent but loose light tan head that relatively quickly fades to nothing. Aroma of slight whiskey malt and old socks. Maybe moldy malt. Taste is slightly better, with a wet grain taste that gives way to a touch of roastiness. Hint of bitterness on the dry finish. Actually quite astringent. Mouthfeel is harsh, with moderate but noticeable carbonation atop a weak body. Drinkability is poor. This is a typical macro style lager with a bit more character, but I still don't care for it.

Serving type: bottle

06-26-2003 16:20:15 | More by aaronh

beerthulhu

New Jersey

2.13/5  rDev -34.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2 | feel: 1.5 | overall: 1.5

A: Poured a dark mahogany red with a respectable 1 finger creamy khaki colored head that lasted for several minutes.

S: some light dried prunes and dark caramel raisins but was pretty faint overall.

T: The initial flavor was light and watery with sour caramel raisins and a light metallic nature. Overall the flavor was wishy-washy at best with some soapiness to it and a light dry burbon alcohol.

M: light, watery and wishy-washy as well.

D: Drinkability was a huge disappointment, dump and avoid at all cost.

Serving type: bottle

07-31-2008 23:11:13 | More by beerthulhu

Satanic

Texas

2.14/5  rDev -34%
look: 2.5 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 2.25 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.25

A - Poured at an angle, little to no head- about a quarter inch of white cream. It looked like coca-cola in the glass I poured it it almost- maybe just one shade lighter. A good amount of carbonation. A couple inches above the bottom of the glass as I have drank it down, the color seems to change to a brownish/red in hue.

S - It barely smells even when poured into a glass, maybe a slight amount of roast and sweetness. As I drink it further down the smells seem to come out a little stronger. I almost feel like I sense a hint of chocolate.

T - It initially tastes a little bit like a very light chocolate mixed with perhaps a dark cherry flavoring and an almost undetectable sweetness familiar with molassess. Afterwards when you swallow your tongue can feel a very small amount of bitterness remaining. The flavours are not very intense and it is an easy drinker.

M - This beer isn't thick nor extremely watery feeling, sort of in the middle grounds. I let it warm up a little bit to 40-45 degrees as the six-pack's box recommended.

I would give it a 2.25/5. I don't think I will buy it again, but its not bad! Definately worth trying atleast once.

Serving type: bottle

02-09-2013 15:51:39 | More by Satanic

mrmanning

Ontario (Canada)

2.15/5  rDev -33.6%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.5

Pours deep chestnut , 10w30 looking. Head is fizzy, three fingered, beige, and lasts about 20 seconds. Aroma is boring with some roasty malts, coffee, and some hops. FLavours are muteed molasses, some chocolate, slight hops bitterness. It’s pretty boring all the way around, finishes watery and unmemorable. Thanks Chris!

Serving type: bottle

12-06-2006 13:15:18 | More by mrmanning

tozz8

South Carolina

2.25/5  rDev -30.6%
look: 4 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2

12 oz bottle into a pint glass

A--Dark Amber with an inch of fizzy,light tan head

S--Almost no smell. Bready with a little caramel

T--Watery with bready and caramel notes. Bitterness from hops is present, but it doesn't add to the flavor much at all

M--Thin to medium body with decent carbonation

D--Easy to drink. Just not interesting to drink

Serving type: bottle

12-30-2010 19:45:26 | More by tozz8

clvand0

Kentucky

2.28/5  rDev -29.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2

This beer pours a dark amber color with a small head and moderate lacing on the glass. The aroma is slightly sweet and interesting. I really had decent hopes for this one because I thought that since it was dark, it would be decent - not sucky like normal Heineken. I was wrong. The taste was a little malty, but pretty crappy and enjoyable - the taste was very reminescent of normal Heineken with a bit more sweetness. Didn't like it much.

Serving type: bottle

07-20-2003 03:49:18 | More by clvand0

boothy443

Maryland

2.28/5  rDev -29.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.5

(a) A dark copper color, brownish almost sea foam like head that dissipated quickly with no trace afterwards.

(s) a barely their subdued hops smell

(t) slight carbonation in the front on the first could of sips, otherwise i found it to be extremely watery tasting, with a slight hop/malt taste combo that struggled to make and impression.

(m) light and very underwhelming, left a clear pallet

(d)"sigh", was very disappointed and not impressed, i suppose i was expecting something more, more full body more something. I am willing to give it another go, but on average just by this experience i would pass 9 times out of 10.

Serving type: bottle

12-01-2007 03:47:35 | More by boothy443

lionking

Pennsylvania

2.3/5  rDev -29%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2

Poured from the bottle into a glass.

Appearance. One finger head which quickly disapeared. Brownish red color.

Smell. Faint smell of grains, somewhat soapy smell.

Taste. Weak grainy taste, like the grains had been used before.

Moutfhfeel. Somewhat dry and crisp.

Drinkability. Nothing jumped out at me. I was expecting more flavor and body. Very bland and weak. Either I got an old bottle or this is a really poor beer.

Serving type: bottle

12-15-2008 04:03:08 | More by lionking

Naerhu

Japan

2.33/5  rDev -28.1%
look: 2 | smell: 2 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.5

What the hell is wrong with this beer company? Malt, hops and food coloring? Gimme a break!

Appearance: Decent head that disappears immediately, no lacing. Ruddy color.
Aroma: Rye bread
Taste: Medium sweetness and body. Pumpernickle and cola flavor. Clean and boring.
Mouthfeel: its beer, nothing else to say
Drinkability: Totally unexciting. Why bother.

Serving type: bottle

04-09-2003 05:58:56 | More by Naerhu

kwalters

Michigan

2.4/5  rDev -25.9%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Metallica. This is the signature beer of Metallica based purely on taste. Yes, the taste is very metallic. Yet somehome it's tolerable. This could be an average session beer.

This brew has a good appearance. It's dark amber all the way. The head is slight and gets smaller with time.

If I were drinking only one or two, I think I prefer this to Heineken's green label, but if I've got to down more than two Heinekens, they'll have to be green labels.

Serving type: bottle

10-04-2005 03:04:48 | More by kwalters

cottonkoozie

North Carolina

2.42/5  rDev -25.3%
look: 2 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 2

A - Head doesn't last even 15 seconds, and leaves no chance for lacing at all. Dark brown color with some red hues. Really nothing impressive at all.

S - Smells like a dark lager, some malts, nothing else really. Not a whole lot of smell here.

T - No a lot going on, a little bit of roasted taste and some hints of caramel malts. Also some kind of weird taste there too though that leaves a strange aftertaste.

M - Pretty watery.

D - wouldn't be to bad if it wasn't for that aftertaste, but that really makes me not want much of this. Won't reach for another one.

Not a very good beer. Just has a very odd taste and its just not good.

Serving type: bottle

03-29-2009 00:01:59 | More by cottonkoozie

twiggamortis420

Texas

2.42/5  rDev -25.3%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2

Pours a clear, dark copper color with a rapidly diminishing tan head. Leaves no lacing and barely even a collar.

Smell is sweet and caramely with a bit of sulfur and stale coffee. Does not smell all that inviting.

Taste is exponentially better than Heineken Lager, but still is not all that tasty. A bit too sweet with a fake chocolate flavor and an astringent, plasticy aftertaste. Body is light and only slightly watery, carbonation is adequate. I would probably take a Baltika #4 over this one, but I've yet to come across a Euro Dark that I really enjoy.

Serving type: bottle

09-17-2009 13:16:04 | More by twiggamortis420

cbutova

Massachusetts

2.45/5  rDev -24.4%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.5

A- Poured into a pint glass with a dark brown hue, some red hints around the edges. Light tan head forms to about a finger but doesn't retain very well. Small ring but no lace.

S- Lager yeast, buttery hints and a dark caramel malt profile. Fades after just a few sips.

T- A mix of a dark lager and the general Heineken flavor. It starts out with buttery hints, cereal grain, brown sugar and some slight roast, caramel and toasty malts. It then kind of takes on a slight fruit, sweet and yeast bread feel. Ends up closer to straight up Heineken.

MF- Light, watery body with high carbonation that stings that palate. Somewhat foamy feel with light bitters.

Tastes somewhat comparable to other examples of the style I have tried. It just lacks depth generally and reminds me too much of regular Heineken in the end.

Serving type: bottle

03-11-2012 00:40:04 | More by cbutova

sleazo

New York

2.5/5  rDev -22.8%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

Had this at teh El San Juan in Puerto Rico

A-very dark brown hue with a smallish head that dissapears quickly.

S-slight roasted coffee like aroma.

T-Slightly reminiscent of a Swartzbier. Roasted overtones abound with some sticky hints of caramel. Itis fairly ione dimensional though as there is virtually no indication of hops here. The slight bitter aftertaste clearly comes from the malts

M-Light bodied with a medium carbonation

D-Better than a regular Heineken but rather mediocre in every sense of the word. Tastes kind of like the dark malt syrup used for extract brewing

Serving type: bottle

08-26-2007 22:43:12 | More by sleazo

hardy008

Minnesota

2.53/5  rDev -21.9%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

Reddish brown color with a tan head and decent retention. Smells of dark malt with grain. A slight caramel aroma. Tastes consists of caramel , grain, and some chocolate. Thin watery mouthfeel with decent carbonation. The drinkability is below average. Not much to get excited about here.

Serving type: bottle

02-21-2010 02:18:37 | More by hardy008

emerge077

Illinois

2.53/5  rDev -21.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Poured into a pint glass. Appears to be a reddish copper color with bright clarity and some carbonation visible. Compact cap of off white foam, that settles fairly quickly, leaving little lacing at all.

Funky and sweet, grainy lager nose. Some toast, brown sugar, and watered down lager.

Flavor is similar, fairly sweet with wet paper graininess. Very bland and dull. Malt-o-meal cereal (malt oatmeal) and brown sugar, wet stewed grain husks. Watery body, fairly clean aftertaste. Not something i'd revisit, it's a laughable, feeble attempt at a dark lager.

Serving type: bottle

01-25-2012 02:44:22 | More by emerge077

GratefulBeerGuy

New Hampshire

2.55/5  rDev -21.3%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 2

The color is a brilliant crimson amber, decent carbonation has many slow moving bubbles creating a light, bubbly one-finger, brown-ish tinted head that quickly dissipates to nothing.
The aroma is much more pungent that I had suspected, butter-scotch malt, pretty sweet on the nose with roasty, mossy and slightly nutty whiff's. The flavor though is not as sweet, it's much more roasty and herbal, clearly the hops are in good balance but the malt is missing that smooth, buttery effect a nice heavy lager should have and not enough sweetness. This is much more flavorful than it's lighter lager counterpart. There is still that classic Heineken chemy "skunked" or soured effect right at the end. The after-taste is that of lingering sour lager yeast and a mildly bitter edge.
it feels slick, a light bodied brew trying really hard to be medium bodied...but falls short. After a few minutes this stuff is lifeless and flat. Drinkability: one is enough, maybe too much.

Serving type: bottle

10-05-2007 05:41:48 | More by GratefulBeerGuy