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Buyer's Guide for Beer Lovers

Lagers

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Dortmunder Export

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

90 Dortmunder Gold, Great Lakes Brewing Co. (OH). 5.8% ABV (10/08)

Deep amber color. Toasty caramel cake and orange marmalade aromas follow through on a round, supple entry to a dryish medium-to-full body with savory roasted nut, prune and root vegetable accents and a long peppery, clay-like hops fade. Great depth and balance.

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.

88 Anheuser World Lager, Anheuser Busch (MO). 5% ABV (11/06)

Pale golden amber color. Golden raisin toast and caramelized nut aromas. A frothy entry leads to a dryish medium body of light cream and honey, toasted raisin nut bread and lemon curd flavors. Finishes with a refreshing sweet citrus and mildly earthy and salty hop fade.

86 Islander Lager, Vancouver Island Brewery (Canada). 5% ABV (10/07)

Rich old gold color. Creamy honeyed nut, wheat bread and delicate anise and bubblegum spice aromas. A round, zesty entry lead to a dryish medium body of very toasty bread and delicate fruit gum flavors with a round citrus custard and nut fade with a touch of wet stone.

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