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Ghost Trail Dark Lager

Okanagan Spring Brewery
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🌍 Canada · Dark Lager · One of 17 Dark Lagers in hopIQ

Dark in the glass, light on the palate — the contrast is the point the brewery makes itself. Dark malt supplies the nose with cocoa, toast and a hint of coffee, without the weight the colour suggests. Cold fermentation keeps the body slim and the finish clean, and at 17 IBU there is little hop presence, so the roast provides what dryness there is. Named after the abandoned railway line through the Kettle Valley.

ABV
5%
Bitterness
Lightly bitter17 IBU
Roasted bitterness
SRM
deep amber20

AWARDS

Bronze · 2021
World Beer Awards
Dark Lager
Bronze — World Beer Awards (Dark Lager)
How it drinks· Its pace, balance and relationship to the style.
Pace
sessionsipper
Balance
malt-ledhop-led
Style expression
textbookdistinctive
Taste structure· The backbone of the beer, regardless of style.
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
hopIQ take

Crisp mouthfeel.

A sharp texture drives the beer — a clean, direct pour with room for the palate to fill in.

Wider bands mean we're less certain about the exact position.
Character· What makes this beer itself — not just another Dark Lager.
Malt character
toasty
roasted
chocolate
coffee
malty
Fermentation & yeast
clean
Distinctive notes
smooth drinking
Compare with another beer →

FEATURED IN

Featured inThe Best Canadian Lagers

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Ghost Trail Dark Lager

Appearance

Dark brown to near-black in the glass, with excellent clarity showing the beer's true character despite the deep color. A modest cream-colored head forms and settles to a thin collar, with fine lacing that adheres delicately to the glass. Carbonation is gentle and steady, appropriate to the style.

dark brownclearfine lacinglow carbonation

Aroma

The nose leads with cocoa and toasted malt, layered with subtle coffee notes and a hint of grain dust. There is no harsh roast character; instead, the dark malts present themselves with warmth and restraint. Hop aroma is virtually absent at 17 IBU, leaving the malt-driven profile uncluttered.

cocoatoastcoffeerestrained

Taste

The palate defies the beer's appearance by remaining surprisingly light and dry. Dark malt sweetness enters cleanly but never becomes heavy or cloying; instead, a gentle roast-derived dryness moves through the mid-palate. Bitterness is minimal and well-integrated, providing structure without dominance. The body is slim and crisp, allowing each flavor to register distinctly.

light-bodieddrytoastycleansmooth

Finish

The finish is short to medium and notably clean, with roast tannins providing subtle dryness that lingers briefly without astringency. No cloying sweetness remains; instead, the beer leaves the palate refreshed and prepared for another sip.

dry finishcleanshort
78
hopIQ score
Aroma
76
Taste
79
Appearance
77
Finish
78
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Serve & Enjoy

How to get the most out of Ghost Trail Dark Lager

Serve at 4–7°C
Refrigerate, then rest 2 min

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

Stein
Recommended for this style

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

Store in a cool, dark place. Check the best-before date on the label for guidance.

Food Pairing

What to eat with Ghost Trail Dark Lager

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 toasty, light, clean character as Ghost Trail Dark Lager will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

Other Dark Lagers in hopIQ