Dark Beer or Ales

[wvbrewer]

Is there a type of dark beer or ale without so much bitterness?  I like the idea of a malty taste and chocolate undertones, but every kind I have tried has not turned me on. Are there any sugestions?

Dave

[PetenNewburg]

Dave,

  Check out Lancaster Milk Stout, Left Hand Milk Stout, Samuel Smith Stout  ....  English Porters, brown ales, German Dunkle Lagers ...   The recent hop craze is much more pronounced in recent American Ales.  IPA's (India Pale Ale) were extra hopped in Europe to insure it would not spoil over long distances.   Hops were used as a preservative.
  Making your own Dark Beer is really easy.  You want color, extra body, chocolate or coffee aromas?  Brew a batch of Extract Kit Pilsner or light Ale.  Prior to the boil, grind up some chocolate malt, crystal malt 120 and maybe another ..  roasted barley?  ( I used 1/2 pound of each)  Put the ground Grain in a grain bag in a pot that can handle the amount you wish to cook.   Use 1 gallon water per pound of grain, add hot tap water, (usually around 120 degrees)  let it sit for 30 minutes.  Heat it up to 140,  let it rest 20 min,  Heat to 150 - 155,  let it rest 20 minutes.  Pull out the grain bag, DO NOT SQUEEZE EVERY LAST DROP OUT!  YOU'LL GET TANINS AND OTHER OFF FLAVORS.   Use this wort with the amount of water called for in the kit.  This is not additional water.  If your kit calls for 2 gallons use your wort plus water to achieve the called for amount, in this case 2 gallons.
  This will really wake up an otherwisw mild pilsner OR ale!   I did this with a witbier and the Sticky Wicket from MrBeer.  Both turned out very good!  And I added no extra hops!

Pete

[wvbrewer]

I might have to try that soon.  I have not got into the grain thing yet, but it sounds good.  So far I have only made no boil kits and only two of them.  I am sure it will be a adventure.

[PetenNewburg]

  Once you try it, it will totally change your perspective!  Your next brew, use a favorite and "pump" it up a notch.  Whether body, color or ABV, it will encourage you to try something else!  You will not be disappointed!  It's YOUR brew!

[wvbrewer]

Maybe I'll try just steeping some grain and adding it to a kit to see how it changes the taste.