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Dark Ale

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A dark, full-bodied ale in which many malts and hops are balanced so carefully that every flavour impression gets its say; Belgian trappist yeast rounds it off. It was brewed after a Belgian model with the brewer's own touch, and it is the very first beer Det Lille Bryggeri ever made, first brewed in 2005. Five malts, three hops and Belgian candy sugar shape it.

ABV
7.8%
Bitterness
Noticeably bitter28 IBU
SRM
dark36
PaceSipper
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
What makes this beer itself
MaltHop
maltyyeastyfruity
malty
yeasty
fruity
spicy
bready
Aroma
The nose opens with warm, fruity esters from the Belgian yeast—ripe plum and subtle banana notes mingle with toasted grain and a gentle spice character.
not found:hoppy,caramel,clean,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Dark Ale

◎ Appearance

Deep mahogany to brown color with a SRM of 36 reveals a dense, full-bodied structure in the glass. The head forms quickly and clings to the glass with persistent lacing, suggesting a malt-forward composition. Carbonation is moderate, befitting the Belgian trappist style and allowing the beer's complexity to develop without excessive fizz.

deep mahoganypersistent head lacingmoderate carbonation

◌ Aroma

The nose opens with warm, fruity esters from the Belgian yeast—ripe plum and subtle banana notes mingle with toasted grain and a gentle spice character. Three distinct hops and five malts create a layered backdrop of bread crust and dried fruit, balanced by a whisper of herbal and floral aromatics. The bouquet remains restrained and cohesive rather than aggressive, inviting the palate to explore further.

fruity esterstoasted grainherbal spicebread crust

◐ Taste

Entry is soft and malty, with rich caramel and toffee notes that coat the palate without cloyingness. Mid-palate develops deeper bread and subtle biscuit flavors from the thoughtful malt selection, while the Belgian yeast contributes a dry, peppery finish to each sip. Bitterness (28 IBU) remains understated, allowing malt and yeast expression to lead; hop character emerges as a balancing thread rather than a dominant force.

malty richnessbread and biscuitrestrained bitternesssmooth palate

◑ Finish

The finish is dry and medium-length, with lingering warmth from the 7.8% ABV and a gentle spice fade. Aftertaste carries forward the beer's core malt identity with a whisper of yeast character, leaving a clean and slightly mineral impression.

dry finishwarming alcoholspice fade
82
hopIQ score
Aroma
82
Taste
84
Appearance
80
Finish
80
Serve at 9–12°C

Warmer than most — 12–14°C. The fruity esters, spice and warming alcohol need room to breathe.

Goblet

The wide mouth and heavy base promote head formation and channel rich aromatics toward the nose. Traditional for Belgian strong ales.

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Food Pairing

What to eat with Dark Ale

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About Belgian Strong Ale

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Belgian Strong Ale?

Belgian Strong Ale 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 Belgian Strong Ale

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

Compare with another beer →Explore all Belgian Strong Ale beers in hopIQ →Browse Denmark beers →