Enbeerment’s Lagerbier of the Week: Perfect Dark Especial

*Originally posted June 28, 2021*

Award-winning South Orange County brewery and one of the major players that accounts for the strong OC Lager-game, GameCraft keeps improving and impressing with their Lagerbiers. Perfect Dark Especial is a beer that might straddle a few styles but seems to fit perfectly in the Lager family, nonetheless.

Perfect Dark Especial began as a Munich Dunkel style that saw some moderate popularity at the tasting room. This version is Vienna Lager-inspired, but with a dash of adjuncts to light up the body a bit and a Mexican Lager yeast strain to make it more reminiscent of the “model” Dark Lagers we may find in stubby bottles. The result is a malty yet refreshing International Dark (or American Dark) Lager.

Deep garnet in color with some auburn highlights and dense, tan head. On the nose, we have aromas of cocoa powder, cracked bread, and a touch of caramel. Flavors are that of dissolved chocolate, lightly toasted bread, with a medium-light body and a semi-dry finish. No guilt with ordering another at only 4.8%ABV.

A wonderful food partner with friend food or burgers. Try with the Bacon Cream Cheese Wontons to create a Mole Poblano flavor on the palate as the spice of the Thai sauce and chocolate notes link up and the fluffy cream cheese adds texture. The bacon harmonizes with the dark malts lifting the salt and letting the pork’s savory nature show itself then the carbonation washes it all away.

Looking a little "sus" there, Perfect Dark Especial

Don’t feel “rare” and let your inner gamer out while taking a sip of Perfect Dark Especial. The warm weather is a noob for this crisp Lagerbier.

GameCraft Brewing
23301 Avenida De La Carlota, Suite C, Laguna Hills, CA 92653
Website, Insta, Facebook

Cheers!

Gilbert “Charlie” Perez, Advanced Cicerone®