Review of Great Lakes Brewing Dortmunder Gold Lager

Posted By Ken Tuesday, 07 September 2010 19:21

I had planned to write this review yesterday, but it was Labor Day, and that didn't seem to make sense.  So despite the fact that I'm a little beat from my first day at a new job, I wanted to get this one in for everyone.  I had previously had this back in May, and just didn't get around to writing the review.  Then an awesome friend of ours was gracious enough to bring me a sixer of it when she visited from Ohio.  Read on to see what I think of this brew from Great Lakes.

Ken's Review

Taste: A- Dortmunder Gold is classified as a lager, which in some respects is fair.  This one, not really knowing for sure that you were drinking a lager could trick you a little bit, as it has a decent hop note to it, and finishes with some slight citrus and leaves with a mild bitterness on the backend.  It's quite an interesting ride of flavor that in my opinion culminates in a very good beer.

Packaging: B+ The main feature on the packaging is the picture of the gold medal.  This is a gold medal winning beer, and while I don't think that the "gold" in the name refers to this at all why not show your bling on the bottle if you won it?

Value: B- Great Lakes beers typically run in the $7.99 to $8.99 range for a sixer.  While this is a decent price for what you get from it, unfortunately the competition in this price range is too strong to really give overly high marks. It is a fair price, but for my own personal liking I could name at least 5 others in this range I would take over it.

Drunkeness: B+ Dortmunder Gold comes in at 5.8%, which is not too shabby for a beer of this style.  It definitely gives enough kick in content to give you a nice buzz that lasts quite awhile, especially after the 3 I took down.  In this arena Dortmunder doesn't take gold, but definitely comes in with a medal.  I know, that was a shitty joke.

Overall: B+ Dortmunder Gold is not a beer for everyone. You really have to enjoy a somewhat complex mix of flavors to really enjoy this one, as it doesn't really fall in line as a hoppy beer, or a citrus beer, or a bitter beer; it is a combination of all three.  If you are not a fan of one or more of these styles, then it may be hard to appreciate this one.  But if you are like me and like your beer taking you on a little taste ride, then this one should not disappoint.