Get to Know Dark Mild with Em Sauter
Dark Mild is having a moment here in America. This lower ABV, dark, slightly roasty beer is being enjoyed by beer geeks and new drinkers alike at local craft breweries. It’s a great beer to have more than one of and works great with many foods.
“Mild” was a term used in England in the 19th century as any unaged beer. So “mild” was most likely a pale color back in the day. In the late 19th century, it became its own beer style to mean a lower alcohol, less bitter beer. And became dark in color after the First World War. Mild fell out of favor in the 1950’s and was deemed an “oldsters” drink until very recently.
How Dark Milds Are Made
Dark Milds can be brewed a variety of ways. They can be “all malt,” brewed with pale, crystal and dark malts but they can also be brewed with flaked corn or with sugars like brewers caramel so the dark color comes from the sugar added. This is done in a lot of large multinational breweries that make darker beers. The hopping is low and usually British but most hops can be used since hops are used as a preservative and not as a flavor component. The yeast should be a lovely English yeast that adds a pear/fruit note.
Tasting Notes
Dark Milds are delicious in their complex flavors which is unusual for a lower alcohol beer. The beer can have notes of chocolate, coffee, fig, raisin, pear, dark toast, or toffee. In the United Kingdom, Dark Milds are usually served on cask, which means they are served at around 50F and are naturally lightly carbonated. Warmer temperatures allow beer to have more flavor as the colder temperatures will mask flavors, aromas. In America, Dark Milds have a trend of being served on nitro as nitro was created to mimic the mouthfeel of cask beer without the arduous work (we’ll get more into that when we discuss Irish Stouts).
Pairing
Topping out at 3.8%, Dark Milds are great on their own while hanging with friends at a local pub. They feel hearty enough to be a snack in itself. While at the famous Kelham Island Tavern in Sheffield, England, I had a pint of Dark Mild paired with a cold lamb samosa the publican pulled from a minifridge behind the bar and that may have been the best food pairing I’ve ever had. I like Dark Milds with lower spiced curries or tacos or BBQ. It adds a sweet component to salty dishes that I really enjoy.
Beers to Try
Your local brewery
Yes, the cop out answer but this style is being made more and more by local breweries. I can name at least three small breweries near my house that are brewing one. Larger breweries in America still have yet to get on the bandwagon.
Harvey’s Dark Mild
Settled near the river next to picturesque white cliffs in the cute town of Lewes, Harvey’s is a classic English brewery that makes world-class British beers including a delicious Dark Mild I enjoyed at their pub across the street from the brewery with a great pie and chips.
Timothy Taylor Dark Mild
In the North of England, Timothy Taylor’s is putting out some excellent British beers including a classic ruby colored Dark Mild. All their beers are excellent and worth a trip to England to imbibe.