Golden Export Lager
Port City Brewing

Picked this up recently at Fanwood Liquors, as it had been ages since I had a European / Dortmunder Export Lager. This was a nice take on the style that was just a tad heavier than I would have liked, but still had plenty going for it from start to finish as it was ideal for a mellow summer's night such as this!

This has a bright, lovely copper hue to it as it was darker than I expected but still quite thin. Lots of spider web bubbles topped this off but they subsided quickly as there nearly no lacing left behind once I started to sip this. Floral hops, dark bread, and a toasted and caramel undertone were all found in the subdued nose as the taste made up for the lack of overt aroma. Lots of cracker and a bit of fall fruit and grape emerged on the taste as this was quite easy to enjoy, softly slick, and nicely carbonated.

Balanced, lacking in hops on the palate, and not as skunky as similar lagers, this almost felt like an English Pale Ale because of it's underlying floral nature and darker and heavier tone. Canned on 1/20, there was plenty to like here as the German-inspired label was just as clean and crisp as the liquid inside. Glad to have found this as it gave me a new appreciation for a style that's all too rare these days.

 

Has a clear golden body, as the title of the beer would suggest. Lots of buiscuit and breadiness in both aroma and flavor. Nice crisp hop finish. Really nicely done beer.

Can dated 2/15:
(reviewed as a European/Dortmunder Export, not Helles)
A clear golden body with a fairly loose but prevalent cap of bubbles atop it. The nose is malt driven with a toasted malt profile dominating to me. There's a little herbal note and a hint of orange blossom honey, but mostly a lightly toasted grain bread.

It isn't as light as a Helles, but not as dry as a German Pilsner. Bread with a little more sweetness than expected from the nose is countered by a firm, but not overpowering, noble hop bitterness. It has a nice moderate level of carbonation, though it has a little heavier feel than many light colored lagers - which is to say pushing medium. As the beer warms, the malt catches up a little bit with the hop bitterness. The relative increase in sweetness seems to expose a little spice bitterness, which is a fair trade-off.

In the end, though, I still think this leans a little to the bitter side of balanced, which is a key component of the style guide here Otherwise, it seems to fit pretty well. Regardless, I like the combination of balance with a hint of bitter boldness. I'd really enjoy a side-by-side with Great Lake's, which I haven't had in quite a while, though I recall that one more smooth and light, leaning a tad towards the maltier side.

 

 

The beer pours a nice white bubbly head while the beer itself is a golden amber color and is clear. It’s really nice to look at.

The smell is good. It has a delicious sweet malt note with a tiny orange bitterness in the finish.

The taste is good. It has a strong bitter orange note upfront with a sweet bread malt note.

The feel is good. It has a medium body that goes down smooth with tingling carbonation.

Overall, a solid beer worth getting.

 

Pours a clear golden with white head. It's got beautiful, crackery malt, with a touch of vinous boozey character. Really smooth and lovely. This is a really nice beer from Port City that feels closer to German import lagers than a lot of other beers I've had. That's neither a good or bad thing.