If you’re anything like us, this summer you enjoyed a lot of thirst-quenching beer. You’ve probably had your fill of lagers, pale ales, and light beers and you might be ready for something a little darker. That’s where the aptly named dark ale comes in. If you don’t know what the drink is, that’s okay. It’s definitely a less well-known beer designation than the classic IPA, lager, or even stout (although some people add stouts and porters into the dark ale realm as well). The style is known for its dark brown appearance and mix of select yeasts, dark malts, and aromatic hops, creating a malty and fruity beer that finishes with just a hint of floral hops.
Best Dark Ales at a Glance
- Best Overall: White Rabbit Dark Ale
- Best English-Style: Mornington Peninsula Brown Ale
- Best Craft: Lord Nelson Old Admiral Dark Ale
- Best Value for Money: Coopers Dark Ale
Table of contents
- Best Dark Ales at a Glance
- 1. White Rabbit Dark Ale
- 2. Coopers Dark Ale
- 3. Lord Nelson Old Admiral Dark Ale
- 4. Philter Old Ale
- 5. Moo Brew Dark Ale
- 6. Tooheys Old Dark Ale
- 7. Mornington Peninsula Brown Ale
- 8. Your Mates Donnie Dark Ale
- 9. Pirate Life Belgian Dark Ale
- 10. Otter’s Promise Mismatch Dark Ale
- 11. Slow Lane To Put It Mildly Dark Mild
- 12. Avery Ellie’s Brown Ale
- 13. Devils Hollow Brewery Black Horn Dark Ale
- 14. Longstocking Brewery Dark Ale
- What is a Dark Ale?
- Things to Consider for Dark Ales
- Alternatives to Dark Ales
- Dark Ale FAQS
1. White Rabbit Dark Ale
Brand: White Rabbit
Release: Dark Ale
Size: 330mL
Alcohol Volume: 4.9%
Region: VIC
Price: $26.99 – 6-Pack
Brewed with Pale malt, wheat malt, German Munich malt, and Dark Crystal malt as well as dry-hopped using a Hopnick dry-hopping device with Pacifica, Rakau, and Sticklebract hops. This results in a dark brown, very rich, borderline indulgent dark ale with fruity flavours overlapping with aromatic hops, and caramel and chocolate malts. It’s sweet, warming, and ends with just the right amount of pleasant bitterness.
Buy it here (Dan Murphy’s) Buy it here (BWS)
Could this Tassie Distillery be the Worldwide Whiskey Producer of the Year?
2. Coopers Dark Ale
Brand: Coopers
Release: Dark Ale
Size: 375mL
Alcohol Volume: 4.5%
Region: SA
Price: $20.95 – 6-Pack
Coopers Dark Ale is exactly as the name seems. It’s a dark, malty, very rich beer brewed with roasted malts as well as chocolate malt. This gives the beer a ton of roasted malt, chocolate, vanilla, caramel, and coffee, flavour. The finish is dry, sweet, and leaves you craving more. It’s the kind of beer you might want to pair with an indulgent dessert. Best of all, it comes from of the most respected names in the Australian game. For decades, Coopers has dished out ground-breaking releases, with the Dark Ale serving as one of the stalwarts. In the next few years, the South Australian icon will be opening its $50 million beer and whisky experience centre, so you can expect a lot more dark ale to flow from that point on.
Buy it here (Dan Murphy’s) Buy it here (Coopers)
3. Lord Nelson Old Admiral Dark Ale
Brand: Lord Nelson Brewery
Release: Old Admiral Dark Ale
Size: 330mL
Alcohol Volume: 6.1%
Region: FRE
Price: $84.99 – 14-Pack
Lord Nelson Brewery Hotel is Sydney’s oldest continuously operating hotel with its start in 1841. It’s home to a hotel, bar, restaurant, and renowned brewery. The latter makes Lord Nelson Old Admiral Dark Ale, a 6.1% per cent ABV strong ale brewed with German and British malts. The result is a reddish, brown ale filled with toasted malt, dried fruit, and caramel flavours. You could cop a carton at Dan Murphy’s or the bottle shop, but for the full experience, we recommend hitting up the Lord Nelson Brewpub, one of our favourite pubs in Sydney.
Buy it here (Dan Murphy’s) Buy it here (Lord Nelson) Buy it here (BWS)
4. Philter Old Ale
Brand: Philter Brewing
Release: Old Ale
Size: 330mL
Alcohol Volume: 4.5%
Region: NSW
Price: $22.99 – 4-Pack
This is a throwback beer if we ever saw one. Philter Old Ale was crafted to taste like a traditional Aussie old. Brewed with roasted malts, it’s well-known for its flavours of freshly brewed coffee, vanilla beans, toasted malts, and chocolate. The finish is dry and lightly bitter, completing this trip to the past in a pint of beer. At 4.5 per cent ABV, it’s also surprisingly sessionable. Another cornerstone brewery in Sydney, Philter has become iconic in the Inner West, so if you’re in town, we definitely recommend hitting the Philter factory.
Buy it here (Red Bottle) Buy it here (Philter) Buy it here (Beer Cartel)
5. Moo Brew Dark Ale
Brand: Moo Brew
Release: Dark Ale
Size: 330mL
Alcohol Volume: 5.0%
Region: TAS
Price: $21.49 – 6-Pack
This 5 per cent ABV American-style brown ale is brewed with select malts as well as popular American hops: Cascade, Centennial, and Simcoe. It’s known for its brown colour, light piney, floral hop backbone, and rich, roasted malt, caramel, and vanilla flavours. As dark ales go, this is one of the more well-balanced between malts and hops. If you are not aware, Moo Brew is the brainchild of esteemed local hero David Walsh, founder of the world-famous, convention-adverse Mona (The Museum of Old and New Art). The enigmatic gambler turned art collector and philanthropist saw a need to champion the unique ingredients found in Tasmania and this delicious Dark Ale is the result. When it comes time for Dark Mofo later this year, you can bet, we’ll be sucking down one of these.
Buy it here (Dan Murphy’s) Buy it here (Moo Brew)
6. Tooheys Old Dark Ale
Brand: Tooheys
Release: Old Dark Ale
Size: 375mL
Alcohol Volume: 4.4%
Region: NSW
Price: $20.99 – 6-Pack
While some of the beers on this list were first released in more contemporary times, Tooheys Old Dark Ale has been brewed the same way since its inception in 1869. This surprisingly light, easy-drinking dark ale sits at a sessionable 4.4 per cent ABV. It might be light in alcohol but definitely isn’t light in flavour with freshly brewed coffee, chocolate, dried fruits, roasted malts, and caramel, taking centre stage.
Buy it here (Dan Murphy’s) Buy it here (Tooheys) Buy it here (Liquorland)
7. Mornington Peninsula Brown Ale
Brand: Mornington Peninsula Brewery
Release: Brown Ale
Size: 330mL
Alcohol Volume: 5.4%
Region: VIC
Style: English-Style Dark Ale
This dark ale is Mornington Peninsula’s take on the classic English-style brown ale. Brewed with important English ale malts, it’s known for its toasted malts, sticky toffee, and dried fruit flavours. It’s indulgent, sweet, and highly memorable. It’s the type of beer you’ll want to sip as you finish off a heavy, meat-filled meal.
Buy it here (Dan Murphy’s) Buy it here (Morning Breweries) Buy it here (First Choice)
8. Your Mates Donnie Dark Ale
Brand: Your Mates Brewing
Release: Donnie Dark Ale
Size: 375mL
Alcohol Volume: 5.0%
Region: QLD
Style: Porter
Price: $64.99 – 16-Pack
Your Mates Donnie Dark Ale’s can is adorned with a drawing of who we can only assume is Donnie himself. He looks like a cool guy. He has a beard, his collar is popped, he’s smoking a pipe, holding a beer, and presumably wearing a winter hat indoors. The beer named for him is equally noteworthy. This 5 per cent ABV dark ale is lightly smoky with notable chocolate, coffee, and caramel flavours.
Buy it here (Dan Murphy’s) Buy it here (Your Mates Brewing) Buy it here (Beer Cartel)
9. Pirate Life Belgian Dark Ale
Brand: Pirate Life Brewing
Release: Belgian Dark Ale
Size: 375mL
Alcohol Volume: 3.5%
Region: NSW
Style: Dark Mild
Price: $25.99 – 4-Pack
To say that this 11 per cent ABV Belgian-style dark ale is complex is a major understatement. This limited-edition beer is brewed with Pale malt, Pilsner malt, Biscuit malt, Simpsons DRC, and Rye. It’s hopped with Perle and Fuggles hops. It gets a bit of yeast and tang from the addition of wild yeast strain during secondary fermentation. On top of that, it’s aged for thirteen months on Adelaide Hills Cherries.
Buy it here (Grape and Grain) Buy it here (Pirate Life) Buy it here (Beer Cartel)
10. Otter’s Promise Mismatch Dark Ale
Brand: Mismatch Brewing
Release: Otter’s Promise Dark Ale
Size: 375mL
Alcohol Volume: 5.5%
Region: SA
Style: Dark Ale
Bitterness: 25 IBU
This 5.5 per cent dark ale gets its flavour from the use of select dark malts (Munich and Maris Otter malts) as well as Centennial hops. This results in a beer that’s loaded with a biscuit-like, toffee, dark chocolate, dried fruit, and fresh coffee body and a finish of floral, herbal, lightly piney, bitter hops. It’s a very well-balanced, flavourful beer.
Buy it here (Otter’s Promise) Buy it here (Mismatch Brewing)
11. Slow Lane To Put It Mildly Dark Mild
Brand: Slow Lane Brewing
Release: To Put it Mildly Dark Mild
Size: 375mL
Alcohol Volume: 3.5%
Region: NSW
Style: Dark Mild
Price: $25.99 – 4-Pack
At one point (the 1960s), milds were an extremely popular beer style in the United Kingdom. Although their popularity has waned significantly, there are still some brewers (even some in Australia) making them today. Slow Lane To Put It Mildly is a 3.5 per cent ABV dark mild brewed with Pale Chocolate, Maris Otter, and Dark Crystal malts as well as East Kent Golding hops and English Ale yeast. It’s known for its flavours of chocolate, dried fruits, toffee, fruit esters, and just a hint of bitterness at the finish.
Buy it here (Slow Lane Brewing) Buy it here (Beer Cartel)
12. Avery Ellie’s Brown Ale
Brand: Avery Brewing
Release: Ellie’s Brown Ale
Size: 355mL
Alcohol Volume: 5.5%
Region: USA
Style: American Brown Ale
An American addition to this list, Avery Ellie’s Brown Ale is a 5.5 per cent dark ale brewed with Munich, C-120, Honey Malt, Carapils, Chocolate, and 2-row malt as well as a proprietary yeast strain, as well as Sterling, Bullion, and Cascade hops. Known for its nutty, caramel, vanilla, and lightly hoppy flavour profile, it’s the kind of beer you’ll want on hand for a chilly evening.
Buy it here (Outback Liquors) Buy it here (Avery Brewing Co.)
13. Devils Hollow Brewery Black Horn Dark Ale
Brand: Devils Hollow Brewery
Release: Black Horn Dark Ale
Size: 375mL
Alcohol Volume: 4.8%
Region: Australia
Grains: Caramel Aromatic, Crystal, Light Chocolate, Light Munich, Pale, Shepherds Delight
Devils Hollow Black Horn is a rhino-adorned, 4.8 per cent ABV dark ale brewed with Caramel Aromatic, Crystal, Light Chocolate, Pale, Shepherds Delight, and Light Munich malts as well as Cascade, Cashmere, Mittlefrau, and Tettnang hops. Named for the Taronga Western Plains Zoo’s black rhino breeding program, it’s known for its dark chocolate, caramel, and vanilla flavours.
Buy it here (Leura Cellars) Buy it here (Devil’s Hollow Brewery) Buy it here (Craft Cartel)
14. Longstocking Brewery Dark Ale
Brand: Longstocking Brewery
Release: Dark Ale
Size: 375mL
Alcohol Volume: 4.8%
Region: Australia
Price: $33 – 6-Pack
This 4.8 per cent ABV dark ale gets its unique, roasted malt, coffee, chocolate, smoky, and lightly floral, herbal hop flavour from the addition of roasted barley, smoked cherrywood malts, and Fuggle hops. As dark ales go, this is like an old-school meets new beer. It’s rich, memorable, and pairs well with grilled meats and good times with friends and family.
Buy it here (Liquor Legends) Buy it here (Longstocking Brewery)
What is a Dark Ale?
While it’s definitely more of a broad term, there are specific historical dark ales. In particular, there is the Belgian strong dark ale category. These abbey-style ales are typically in the 8-10 percent ABV range and are known for their dark appearance and malty, sweet flavour profile.
In the United Kingdom and Australia, brown ales, strong ales, old ales, and milds fit the criterion of the dark ale. This is because they are maltier, sweeter, and carry caramel, vanilla, and often fruity flavour profiles. On top of that, we don’t want to leave out beers that are actually labeled as “dark ales”.
There are a few of those as well. They’re known for their malt-forward flavour profile highlighted by aromatic hops, toffee, and light fruitiness. All in all, every beer that fits into this genre is great for warming up on chilly evenings and pairs well with heartier, heavier meals.
Things to Consider for Dark Ales
While there are specific rules regarding IPAs, lagers, and other more well-known beer styles, the dark ale isn’t as cut and dry. Brewers have free reign (more or less) to label a brown ale, mild, Belgian-style dark ale, strong ale, and some other malty beers as dark ales. Just know that most dark ales have a fruity, caramel malty, lightly hoppy flavour profile.
How Does Dark Ale Taste?
As we’ve mentioned above, while dark ales can differ a lot based on ingredients, when you crack one open, you’re likely to find flavours like caramel, vanilla, dried fruits, roasted malts, and maybe even a bit of funky yeast.
How Should You Drink Dark Ale?
You should drink a dark ale the same way you’d drink any beer. It’s just that a dark ale might not be the best choice for a hot, sunny day. Keep the lagers stocked for those occasions. A dark ale is more at home on a cooler night, especially when paired with grilled meats and other heavy food items.
Alternatives to Dark Ales
If you’re not quite aboard the Dark Ales beer train, or you’re just looking to find out which international brew tickles your fancy, why not check out some of our other beer articles?
- Best German Beers To Drink Now
- Best Japanese Beer Brands You Need to Try
- Best Pale Ale Beers to Crack Open
- Best Non-Alcoholic Beers to Drink Yourself Sensible
- 11 Best Low-Carb Beers
- Best Australian Mid-Strength Beers
- Strongest Beers in the World For Serious Brew-Snobs
- 14 Best Wheat Beers to Try Right Now
Dark Ale FAQS
Stouts tend to have a fairly high roasted malt flavour. And while some dark ales are made with roasted malts, they tend to be much lighter than their stout counterparts.
Porters are similar to stouts but are much less dry and even less heavy-handed when it comes to roasted malt flavour. They’re also much sweeter in general. Dark ales, while on the sweeter side are much maltier and full flavoured than the much lighter porter.
