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Buyer's Guide for Beer Lovers

Lagers

Not Your Grandfather’s Lager

Dortmunder

Well balanced, smooth and refreshing, Dortmunders tend to be stronger and fuller than other pale lagers or Munich helles styles. They may also be a shade darker and a touch hoppier. The style originates from the city of Dortmund in northern Germany. Dortmunder Export came about during the industrial revolution, when Dortmund was the center of the coal and steel industries, and the swelling population needed a hearty and sustaining brew. The “export” appendage refers to the fact that Dortmunder beers were “exported” to surrounding regions. Today the term Dortmunder now widely refers to stronger lagers brewed for export, though not necessarily from Dortmund.

Interpreting the 100-point Scale

Consumers can translate the point score to the following quality bands:

Point Range Quality Band
96-100 points Platinum
90-95 points Gold
85-90 points Silver
80-84 points Bronze
Less than 80 Not Recommended
Legend
  • = Brewpub
  • ABV = Alcohol by volume
  • Date denotes the date on which the beer was tasted

92 Dortmunder Gold, Great Lakes Brewing Co. (OH). 5.8% ABV (10/10)
Deep golden amber color. Rich aromas and flavors of toasted baguette, lemon, and dried nectarine with a crisp, frothy, dryish medium-to-full body and a long, resonant roasted root vegetable and earthy hops finish.

88 Lhasa Dortmunder, Tibet-Lhasa Brewing Co. (China). 4.6% ABV (11/09)
Bright golden yellow color. Sautéed haricot vert, mesclun and crouton aromas follow through on a crispy entry to a dryish medium body with lemon yogurt and roasted potato and root vegetable notes. Finishes with an astringent, tart citrusy fade with grassy, mossy hops. Nice combination of rusticity and table friendliness.

88 Baltika #7 Export, Baltika Brewery (Russia). 5.4% ABV (10/08)
Bright golden yellow color. Bold, honey roasted nuts, moss, and fresh baguette aromas follow through on a soft, round entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body with tangy honeyed orange peel, mint, and peach yogurt accents. Finishes with a zesty citrus pastry and grassy hop fade.

85 Tyskie Gronie Dortmunder , Kompania Piwowarska (Poland). 5.6% ABV (11/09)
Bright golden color. Toasted pumpernickel and grain notes have a faint, dried meat and bean edge and follow through on a round, soft entry to a dryish medium body with citrus custard, root vegetable, and peppery spice notes. Finishes with a grassy mineral accented fade.

85 Tyskie Gronie Dortmunder , Kompania Piwowarska (Poland). 5.6% ABV (11/09)
Bright golden color. Toasted pumpernickel and grain notes have a faint, dried meat and bean edge and follow through on a round, soft entry to a dryish medium body with citrus custard, root vegetable, and peppery spice notes. Finishes with a grassy mineral accented fade.

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