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Alchemist Dark

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Alchemist Dark is the German-inspired dark lager from The Alchemist in Stowe, Vermont. It falls somewhere between a Dunkel and a Schwarzbier and eludes classification. The beer is malt forward and 5.5% strong. It is available seasonally, usually one or two times a year, in 4-packs of 16 oz cans. John and Jen Kimmich opened the brewery as a Waterbury brew pub in 2003 and added the Stowe Brewery and Visitor's Center in 2016.

ABV
5.5%
Bitterness
Lightly bitter
Roasted bitterness
SRM
deep amber20
PaceA Few
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
Balance
malt-forwardhop-forward
What makes this beer itself
maltyroastedtoasty
malty
roasted
toasty
clean
Aroma
The nose leads with toasted bread crust and subtle roasted grain, accented by dark fruit notes reminiscent of raisins and plum.
not found:hoppy,caramel,fruity,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Alchemist Dark

◎ Appearance

Deep mahogany brown with copper highlights when held to light, suggesting substantial malt character. The head is modest but persistent, laying down a fine layer of lacing along the glass. Clarity is excellent with no haze, presenting a clean, well-defined silhouette.

deep mahoganycopper undertonesfine lacingbrilliant clarity

◌ Aroma

The nose leads with toasted bread crust and subtle roasted grain, accented by dark fruit notes reminiscent of raisins and plum. A gentle noble hop character emerges beneath, contributing herbal restraint without dominating. The overall impression is malt-centered and approachable, with no harsh edges.

toasted graindark fruitnoble hopsbread crust

◐ Taste

Malt dominates the palate with layers of soft caramel, toasted grain, and gentle roast. Dark fruit notes integrate smoothly into the mid-palate, while a clean, refined bitterness (22 IBU) provides structure without aggression. The mouthfeel is smooth and lightly creamy, finishing dry and refreshing.

soft caramelclean bitternesssmooth bodyraisin notes

◑ Finish

The finish is crisp and moderately short, with lingering toasted malt and a faint roasted grain dryness. No astringency or heat; the 5.5% ABV remains imperceptible, leaving only balanced malt character.

dry aftertastetoasted maltclean exit
78
hopIQ score
Aroma
78
Taste
80
Appearance
82
Finish
75
Serve at 4–7°C

Serve at 4–7°C for the best flavour balance and aroma expression.

Stein

The sturdy German stein maintains temperature and keeps carbonation intact. Built for long, convivial drinking.

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Food Pairing

What to eat with Alchemist Dark

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About Dark Lager

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Dark Lager?

Dark Lager is a distinctive beer style with its own characteristic flavour, aroma and colour. Discover what makes it unique and find similar beers on hopIQ.

Finding a similar Dark Lager

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same malty, roasted, smooth-drinking character as Alchemist Dark will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

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