There are many, quite unrelated, styles of dark brew. If this vague term is used without qualification, it usually means a dark lager of the Munich type.

However, dark beers may include brown ales, bock biers, maibocks, porters, stouts, scotch ales, strong ales, winter ales, and many other seasonal styles. Dark beers are very popular in the colder winter months as they give one a feeling of being warmed up as they are consumed.