Beers similar to Dark Star

Quidi Vidi Brewing Company

Extra Special Bitter·Canada·6% ABV·One of 22 Extra Special Bitters in hopIQ·

hopIQ found 10 beers that share Dark Star's caramel and bitter character. An extra special bitter at the stronger end of the style. Caramel and toasted bread carry the malt, with a nutty edge behind them and a faint dark-fruit note from the crystal malt. English hops supply an earthy, marmalade-like aroma rather than citrus, and the bitterness is firm and drying without turning harsh. The body is medium and the finish long, malt and bitterness holding roughly even.

Similar beers ranked by flavour match rather than popularity.Similar beers ranked by flavour, not popularity.

caramelbittertoasty

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Second Street Boneshaker Amber

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10 beers like Dark Star

1

Northern Pub Ale

Yukon Brewing

Canada · Extra Special Bitter · 5%

ALTERNATIVE

77%

FLAVOUR MATCH

Alongside Dark Star on toasty notes and earthy notes: adds herbal notes, a notch softer, drops nutty notes.

What carries overearthycaramelbittertoastydry

Structure: a notch softer

Compared to Dark Starherbalbreadyorangenuttydark fruit

Structure: Very close — a touch more sweetness, a touch less texture.

Structure: a notch softer

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2

Holgate Brewhouse

Australia · Extra Special Bitter · 5%

ALTERNATIVE

74%

FLAVOUR MATCH

As with Dark Star, same earthy notes and malt character; adds orange notes, a notch softer, no dryness.

What carries overmaltycaramelbittertoastyearthy

Structure: a notch softer

Compared to Dark Starorangecitrusyspicynuttydry

Structure: Very close — a touch more sweetness, a touch less texture.

Structure: a notch softer

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3

Second Street Boneshaker Amber

Second Street Brewery

United States · Extra Special Bitter · 5.8%

ALTERNATIVE

73%

FLAVOUR MATCH

Same toasty notes and malt character as Dark Star, adds bread notes, but without the bitterness.

What carries overcarameltoastyearthynuttymalty

Structure: very close

Compared to Dark Starbreadycleanfloralbitterdry

Structure: Very close — a touch more body, a touch less texture.

Structure: very close

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4

Bitch Creek ESB

Grand Teton Brewing

United States · Extra Special Bitter · 6%

71%

MATCH

Mirrors Dark Star's malt character and earthy notes — plus richness, minus nutty notes.

Structure: very close

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5

Kilter Brewing Co.

Canada · Brown Ale · 5%

68%

MATCH

Like Dark Star on toasty notes and earthy notes — adds sweetness, noticeably less bitter, but without the bitterness.

Structure: less bitter, a notch softer

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6

Range Brewing

Australia · Extra Special Bitter · 5%

66%

MATCH

A touch more richness, a notch softer, no earthy notes — toasty notes and malt character as with Dark Star.

Structure: a notch softer

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7

Boréale Rousse

Les Brasseurs du Nord

Canada · Amber Ale · 5%

65%

MATCH

Keeps toasty notes and dryness like Dark Star, adds roasted notes, noticeably less bitter, drops earthy notes.

Structure: less bitter, a notch softer

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8

Fuller's Griffin Brewery

United Kingdom · Extra Special Bitter · 5.9%

65%

MATCH

Shares malt character and hop character with Dark Star; adds orange notes, but drops toasty notes.

Structure: very close

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9

Propeller Brewing Company

Canada · Extra Special Bitter · 5%

65%

MATCH

Softer — same toasty notes and malt character as Dark Star, adds orange notes, a notch softer, but without the earthy notes.

Structure: a notch softer

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10

Vache Folle ESB

MicroBrasserie Charlevoix

Canada · Extra Special Bitter · 5.5%

64%

MATCH

Same dryness and malt character as Dark Star, adds floral notes, but without the toasty notes.

Structure: very close

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