Dampf Loc
Local Option

Dampf LocDampf Loc
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From:
Local Option
 
Illinois, United States
Style:
California Common / Steam Beer
ABV:
5.3%
Score:
83
Avg:
3.65 | pDev: 13.7%
Reviews:
43
Ratings:
171
Status:
Active
Rated:
Nov 01, 2019
Added:
Nov 24, 2011
Wants:
  9
Gots:
  11
Dampf Loc is an all-barley warm fermented ale brewed by the folks from Chicago’s Local Option; inspired by “Dampfbier” (literally “steam beer”) originally crafted by medieval peasant inhabitants of southeast Bavaria. During the fermentation process generous amounts of foam and surface bubbles burst in the tank, giving the illusion that the ferment is boiling or “steaming.” Tony Russomanno and Noah Hopkins took it upon themselves to brew Dampf Loc as a modern interpretation of its Teutonic predecessor, creating a “Hefe Gerste” ale that is true to its roots; unmistakable in character yet accessible to beer drinkers of all palates.

Dampf Loc has a mild hop profile, medium body with pleasant effervescence and a clear, rich, orange hue. Dampf Loc is ideal for warm months, yet enjoyable year round.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
 
Rated: 4.09 by golf4collet from West Virginia

Nov 01, 2019
 
Rated: 3.93 by Trueprinceofgotham from California

Sep 23, 2019
 
Rated: 4.19 by MattyG85 from Minnesota

Apr 16, 2018
Photo of ZebulonXZogg
Reviewed by ZebulonXZogg from Illinois

2.74/5  rDev -24.9%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
A birthday gift from John and Lorene, poured from 16.9 oz bottle into my my trusty Lagunitas mason jar.
L: It pours an appealing foggy golden orange with a small eggshell colored head and a nicely laced glass.
S: Sweet malts, yeast and a hint of bread.
T: Sweet, bready.
F: A medium to light texture, nicely carbonated.
O: This strikes me as being a better beer than I'm giving it credit for, it seems to be well made, it's really just not my style.
Dec 20, 2017
Photo of ordybill
Reviewed by ordybill from Georgia

4.34/5  rDev +18.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
Poured from a 500 ML bottle into a pint glass. The appearance is a murky golden amber with a medium sized white head. The aroma is very fruity with some caramel. The taste is light caramel with some fruit, has faint hops in the background.
Nov 26, 2016
 
Rated: 3.85 by SSGCujo from Wisconsin

Jul 12, 2016
 
Rated: 3.53 by oriolesfan4 from Maryland

Mar 16, 2016
Photo of biegaman
Reviewed by biegaman from Canada (ON)

3.7/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Dampf Loc isn't the kind of beer to light any sparks on first impression; a fairly dull tone of golden-amber, it's mired with yeast sediment and has a head that looks like soap scuzz. Frankly, I don't even get the name (which they apparently like enough to have trademarked). Is it a pun?

While said to be inspired by Middle Ages Bavaria, the results indicate a stronger influence from that relatively new brewery on Mariposa Street in San Francisco. It's true that both medieval European peasants and gold-rush era Americans drank something called 'Steam Beer' ("Dampfbier") but the two are not the same thing. One uses a lager yeast and the other an ale strain prototypical of Hefeweizens...

And the absence of even one of banana, clove, citrus, vanilla or bubblegum in this aroma definitely rules out the latter. I could be wrong, but it doesn't smell like it. No, this bouquet shares the light fruitiness, caramelly malt and subtle woodiness of Anchor Steam, the defining example of American steam beer.

In fact, I'd wager a fresh bottle of Dampf Loc would fare quite favourably up against that California classic. This has the same kind of easy, affable drinkability and a similarly malty flavour profile that's also checked with firm (but not overt) hoppiness and mild fruit esters. I'd be curious to try them side-by-side.

Aside from the usual "brewed with the finest ingredients" claim, the label lists 'time and temperature' next to barley, hops, yeast and water. Rightfully so. These elements matter much more than the actual ingredients themselves. This keen attention to detail is reflected in the final product.

I don't know that any brewer can claim their recipe "unmistakable in character" to something from half a millennia ago that ostensibly went extinct a hundred years before they ever even touched a paddle, and I furthermore maintain that what's in the glass doesn't actually resemble the style on paper. But hey, whatever it is or was meant to be, it turned out pretty well. So by all means keep selling it.
Feb 07, 2016
Photo of Czequershuus
Reviewed by Czequershuus from Minnesota

4.24/5  rDev +16.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
This beer pours a pale copper color with a medium sized head. The aroma of fresh baked whole grain bread hits me first, followed by some peppery spice, as well as earthy and floral tones. The doughy malt and peppery spice are the star of the flavor, giving a wonderfully dry impression. The floral notes also come through on the aftertaste. The mouthfeel is full and fizzy. Overall this is a very enjoyable beer, balanced and full on pleasing flavors.
Jan 30, 2016
 
Rated: 4.53 by Vylo from New Jersey

Jan 12, 2016
Photo of BeerWithMike
Reviewed by BeerWithMike from Nebraska

3.79/5  rDev +3.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Sampling right now on 11/12/15. Comes in a 500ml (1 pint, 0.9 ounce) bottle that I picked up in the discount bin for $3.00 last week over at the Hy-Vee in Council Bluffs, Iowa across the river. From the Pub Dog Brewing Company in Westminster, Maryland (says on side of label). Bottle chilled down to 36 degrees F in my beer cooler and poured in to a tall .5L handled-French Jelly glass.

Brew pours a hazy burnt-orange in color with a 1-finger creamy/foamy off-white head that finally settles down to 3mm after 20 minutes. Pencil-like streaks of lacing is seen when sipped that slowly goes back down the sides of the glass. Aroma is of sweet malts and yeast for the most part. Gonna say the taste is the same with maybe a little hint of spice. Pretty smooth finish with a sweet malty finish that is slightly dry. Don't recall having this style of brew before. Anyways, it is decent and drinkable. Medium-bodied with medium carbonation.
Nov 13, 2015
Photo of logicalparadox
Reviewed by logicalparadox from New York

3.94/5  rDev +7.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25
Pours a deep amber; cloudy, seething with floating bits of... Stuff. Unfiltered, and enticing. Nice 2-3 finger head that deflates quickly, but leaves a sludgy film atop the brew.

Aromas of cracker, malts, and, well something quintessentially beer.

The flavor is where it comes through. Like a cross between an American wheat, helles, and marzen. Semi sweet, with lots of malt character driving the forward profile. Biscuit, cracker, bread, and the good balance it nicely. Really, there is nothing world shaking or new here, no assault on the pallet. Just something that comes across as an accurate articulation of a medium to medium light brew.

Very smooth, creamy, buttery, and with some tooth to give it backbone.

A nice beer.
Oct 31, 2015
Photo of Jugs_McGhee
Reviewed by Jugs_McGhee from Colorado

2.88/5  rDev -21.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 3
On-draught at Local Option. Notes below are truncated due to the review environment.

A: Head is Off-white, with about 2cm of width. Average characteristics. No lacing. 1.5 minute retention.

Body is a translucent albeit murky pale copper of below average vibrance. No yeast is visible within.

Looks oddly unfiltered for a steam beer...

Sm: Hefeweizen-esque clove and banana manifest, probably from the yeast. Light malts and general malt sweetness are all I pick up elsewise.

Aromatic intensity is average. Neither hoppy nor yeasty.

T: Grass, clove, faint banana, neutral American malts. Unbalanced but not imbalanced. Decently built. Average depth, duration, and intensity of flavour.

Not intricate/complex, subtly executed, or nuanced. Quite generic.

Mf: Smooth, wet, somewhat refreshing, Overcarbonated. Average thickness and heft. Medium-bodied. There's no harmony of texture and taste here.

O: Oddly German in its leanings, but not to its benefit. It's a drinkable little steam beer but never nails the style. Quite forgettable stuff from Local Option. I always like seeing more steam beers on the market, but this isn't particularly impressive.

C
Oct 07, 2015
 
Rated: 3.68 by doc_logic from Ohio

Oct 03, 2015
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Reviewed by creepinjeeper from Missouri

3.92/5  rDev +7.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
500ml bottle poured into a dimpled stein.

Look - Cloudy, slightly burnt orange in color.. Cream colored head that settles into lasting lacing.
Smell - Toffee, sweet grass, wet biscuit.
Taste - All malt. Sweet wet breat.
Feel - Lots of carbonation. Takes away any flavors that might linger on the tongue.
Overall - A steady beer made for easy drinking. Glad I tried it.
Oct 01, 2015
Photo of chinchill
Reviewed by chinchill from South Carolina

3.78/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
500 ml bottle poured into lager glass. No bottle dating found. Some sediment remained stuck to the bottom of the bottle.

Pours lightly hazy, copper-orange in color. There is a lot of visible carbonation that rises to a moderate size, off-white head with good retention. Some streaks and patches of sticky lacing cling to the glass.

Aroma: Earthy and herbal hops with grains in about equal measure but with the hops a little more prominent than the malty aspects. Hints of yeast, honey and mild spices.

Taste: More malty/bready than the aroma indicates. Hints of honey and apple juice. Mild bitterness even on the finish

Feel: Medium carbonation and body, with both leaning towards a higher level. Smooth and soft.

Overall: a good beer for sure, but not as distinctive as the description (e.g., "unmistakable in character") suggests. Enjoyment increased as I headed towards the bottom of the glass. Good with food.
Sep 02, 2015
Photo of justinp444
Reviewed by justinp444 from Michigan

3.83/5  rDev +4.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Pours a dark straw orange yellow with a 2 and a half inch thick head. Smell of lager yeast, caramel, sweet malt, and floral. Taste is melon, caramel, citrus, some floral, big bread-y malt, and a little sweet and bitter. It has a big crisp mouth feel and a moderate to light body. Really is a style of it's own and not so much like a american steam beer.
Aug 20, 2015
 
Rated: 4.18 by alostplot from Illinois

Aug 12, 2015
 
Rated: 3.5 by nathanmiller from New York

Jul 12, 2015
Photo of Brutaltruth
Reviewed by Brutaltruth from Ohio

4.12/5  rDev +12.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Enjoyed from the bottle in a snifter. This FINE steam lager pours a lightly hazy deep amber with a beautiful head of white foam that dissipates to a thin layer and thick ring with some stupendous lacing. A very clean nose of light caramel malts, honey suckle, light bittering hops, and moderate grain notes. Flavors surpass with a sweet honey caramel flavor that has some medium bitterness to cut through the sweetness with a light grain and sweet note on the back of the taste and a crisp finish. Begs for a plate of spicy food. Great mouth feel with moderately high carbonation finishes wet, clean, and refreshing.

Cheers
Jul 05, 2015
Dampf Loc from Local Option
Beer rating: 83 out of 100 with 171 ratings