Dortmunder Gold
Great Lakes Brewing Co.

SWOhio-aquifer from Ohio

4.41/5  rDev +8.1%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Remember drinking this one as a transplant in Cleveland. Good stories. Early 2000 when that was the only micro lag option.
The best lager if found fresh. Period. The only complaint is a touch sweet. But that can remedied if you get it super fresh so the hops haven't had time to melt into the malt. So much can be said about this one. Enjoy one of the best lagers brewed in th U.S.

Sunday at 11:53 PM

Whyteboar from Michigan

4.57/5  rDev +12%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5

Poured a transparent warm amber color with brief off white head and mild yet pleasant aroma of malts and ???.
The taste was of sharp malts but I think it is because the balance is so good that the hops sharpened the malt taste instead of adding bitterness.
The feel was excellent, quite appropriate for the style.
I really enjoyed this, glad it’s locally available!

May 30, 2021

md3kcn from Ohio

4.42/5  rDev +8.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25

Reviewed last night, but forgot to log it here. Purchased as a single bottle from Kroger for $1.69. Poured into a pils glass.

L - Gold/light copper. Three-finger frothy ivory head. Laces nicely.
S - Very much akin to freshly-baked yeast rolls, with a touch of a floral "tea" note. A touch of light spice bringing up the rear.
T - Freshly-baked bread, honey, lemon peel, and spice (coriander?). Caramel and oat are met halfway, and finishes pleasantly bitter, but not overkill in the slightest - just enough to round it out.
F - Well-carbonated and crisp. Refreshing. Not filling. Medium in body.
O - An easy-to-drink lager well worth the money. Tasty and smooth throughout, though not too complex. Possibly one of the most balanced beers that come to my mind. Will definitely purchase again, this time in a six-pack.

May 23, 2021

TreyIsWilson from Michigan

4.18/5  rDev +2.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

A - Pours a clear amber with two finger foamy white head. Nice amount of sticky lacing.

S - Aroma is toasted biscuit, floral hops and some yeastiness.

T - The taste lemon, honey, toasted biscuit, caramel malts and light hoppy bitterness on the finish.

M - Medium body with medium carbonation. Creamy mouthfeel with a soft crisp finish.

O - Really tasty lager. Easy drinking with great flavor.

May 07, 2021

German-Helles from Wisconsin

4.16/5  rDev +2%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

This is a 12oz. can poured into my 20oz. weizen glass. This beer started with a whopper three finger head. The foam is a very thick , somewhat lumpy, pure white foam. It slowly settled to one finger with plenty of lacing left behind. The beer is an amber color with plenty of carbonation that is very easy to observe in this clear beer,
The nose is malt forward, with a fresh grassy finish. The hop is more noticeable to the nose than the palate.
The flavor is malt up front, the fresh bread notes, with a light bitter yet very smooth finish.
The feel is creamy smooth.
This is another good beer from a very good brewery! This lager is very refreshing, with a nice crisp finish. The hop aroma is very noticeable, but the beer has just a slight bitter crisp finish. There is a very light citrus aroma that is noticeable to the nose, but somewhat hidden in the flavor.

May 02, 2021

Danzifer from Ohio

4.21/5  rDev +3.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

This beer is in my top 25 favorites of all time. It's widely available where I'm from, not really expensive, and just damn good no matter the occasion. Always a clear choice when I see it among your typical domestics at a restaurant.

Apr 22, 2021

jeffoert from Minnesota

4.75/5  rDev +16.4%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75

When I saw the ratings for this and similar beers, it caught me off guard. How can this be so much better than the other beers in the profile?

Well, I bought a six pack -- and it is better. The color is a bit darker than others, more flavor (although still a lighter beer) and it has a pleasant finish.

I bought several other beers of this style at the time (partially for comparison) and now I will have to drink them before I go out and buy more of this. No need to look elsewhere in the future.

Apr 19, 2021

JRybacki from Pennsylvania

4.43/5  rDev +8.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Just picked up some Great Lakes beer this weekend and this was one of them.
Poured from a 12oz can into a pilsner glass.
One to two-finger head with some lacing left on the glass. Decent cap on the beer.
Color is strong copper hue and translucent.
Aroma is malty and inviting.
Taste is sweet up front followed by some beautiful malti-bready goodness.
Mouthfeel is my favorite part of this beer- While overall subtle in its making, you pick up the slight bite of the hops and tons of smoothness on the back end making it interesting every time you take a drink.
Overall, I am stoked I picked this up for a try and now understand why this beer has been recognized allover the world. There is nothing like a simply-crafted beer that can be interesting and satisfying all the while.
Well Done!

Mar 13, 2021

UristMcBrewer from Pennsylvania

4.15/5  rDev +1.7%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

The beer is a medium-dark straw but with a lovely big fluffy head. It smells malty and of hay and bread with a hops undertone that is similar to petichor in a forest. On the palate, it is sweet. Somewhere between syrup and pastry sweet. The hops complement the malt well and give a floral character. The feel is light bodied but sticky carbonation is good. Overall, a well done and enjoyable beer.

Feb 24, 2021

BubbleBobble from New York

4.19/5  rDev +2.7%
look: 4.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

Pours a clear deep gold, almost an amber, with a big fluffy off-white head, excellent lacing. Nose is slightly sweet malts, light lemon, light yeasty bread; small amount of spice that begins to come forward as it warms. Hops are more pronounced on that palate than the aroma - grassy, bitter, and floral. Mild malts on the finish, along with a bit of yeast. Mouthfeel is very crisp, very clean. Very balanced, even despite the slight age on my can.

Feb 14, 2021

ChristopherCurtis from New York

4.16/5  rDev +2%
look: 4.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Appearance: Crystal clear gold with a fluffy white head. Impressive amount of lacing.
Smell: Raw bread dough and beer nuts. The hops are mellow and have an herbal/floral aroma.
Taste: Inoffensive. White bread sweetness with some cashew. Hops are mild, herbal and floral like the aroma. Bit of bread crust towards the finish.
Feel: Medium bodied, smooth carbonation. Not especially dry.
Overall: I can see how this beer has won several awards. Good shit.

Dec 17, 2020

MNAle from Minnesota

4.09/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

A 1+ inch slightly off-white creamy head rising above an up-rushing absolute shower of bubbles. The body is golden crystal clear. The head recedes lazily, leaving sheets of lacing. It is a great looking beer in the footed pilsner glass.

Rich malty aroma, strongly bread with fruit and spice backing.

Taste is bread to the fore, as promised by the aroma. Behind that is an herbal flavor, along with fruit and pepper. There is little in the way of bittering at the front, a bit sweet initially, and it remains smooth through the middle, with a tanginess from the hops showing itself. The hoppy tang dries things out a bit by the finish. The aftertaste is bready, with a nice mouth-coating feel. The finish is sufficiently dryish so as to demand the next drink. I really like the bready aftertaste.

Mouth feel has a moderate body, smooth.

Overall, and excellent, refreshing, and easy drinking lager with just enough complexity to keep it interesting and inviting a second round.

Nov 16, 2020

CTHomer from Connecticut

3.96/5  rDev -2.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: crystal clear; medium gold in color; 1+ finger finely pored white head that receded to a wispy cap with a thick collar; OK lacing;

S: light malt and grass;

T: follows the nose from start to finish; balanced through the middle and slightly sweet toward the finish;
mild bitterness at the end;

M: light to medium bodied; moderate carbonation; lightly dry finish;

O: refreshing; easy drinking;

Sep 03, 2020

realJohnnyHobo from Maryland

4.33/5  rDev +6.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.25

I recall being at Celevands Jacob's field, now Progressive Field, and I wanted the best local beer I could find. Leaving inward to the concourse I came across a small stand selling local beer. On it Great Lakes Brewing Dortmunder Gold. Not knowing what I got I went back to the first baseline to watch the Tribe play the Cubbies. As Shin-Soo Choo came up to bat I sipped upon this beer and I forever fell in love with one of the best beer I had ever had.

This beer checks off all the greatness qualifiers, malty yes, a bit hoppy yes, a beautiful amber red, yes. There is smell with this beer that is unique. A bit of that Krystal malt and a damn well balanced beer. This maybe my all time favorite beer.

Jun 24, 2020

BJB13 from Maryland

4.13/5  rDev +1.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

12 ounce bottle poured into a Pilsner glass.
Enjoy by: 06/14/20

This, to the best of my memory, is my first experience with Exportbier. Fortunately this was locally available as it seems to be a solid example of style as well as a great drinking lager. The nose is, in my opinion, is good though a bit subdued. But this beer more than makes up for any aromatic short comings with taste and mouthfeel. The flavor is well balanced and refined, orange and citrus hop flavor with toast and caramel malt, bitterness is restrained but opens up a little towards the short finish. The smooth medium body is somewhat creamy. Very good.

May 28, 2020

milkshakebeersucks from Maryland

4.16/5  rDev +2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Small head atop a golden orange body. Biscuit-like aroma, lightly spiced. Toasted grain flavor, modest sweetness, moderately hopped. Smooth, well rounded, flavorful mouthfeel. Short lived finish.

May 19, 2020

defunksta from North Dakota

4.19/5  rDev +2.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.5

Appearance: Pours a deep, clear, coppered-orange and copper color with a thick, slightly off-white head. The carbonation swirls in the glass as I pour it. SRM of 13. (4.25).

Aroma: Light to moderate on the aroma. There are light aromas of earthy honey, German bread granola & graham cracker, cereal and even caramel upfront. Light lemon citrus, lemongrass, balanced by rich honey, & granola, and only silky, traces of caramel. The mixed vegetable also reminds of a coral/seawater aroma. Sort of reminds me of a honey granola bar. (4.00)

Flavor: Mild lemon hops at first followed underneath with baked honey with a bit of lemonflower. A Honey-Nut Cheerio. A little German yeast to support. A slight lemon and swirled caramel with Munich malts to finish. Overall, finishes slightly sweet. . Fantastic English lager yeast. In between a Helles and Zwickel in terms of malt flavor. Lots of graham cracker honey and granola. A granola bar in a glass. (4.25).

Feel: Heavier bodied for a lager, smooth, but a nice amount of yeast and carbonation to make it thick and sweet as expected Not crisp. (3.75)

Compared to a Helles: Has less citrus and more sweet bread and honey aroma. More honey hops from the Mt. Hood, and less lemon. The malts are slightly more roasty. Heavier bodied and sweeter.

to Paulaner Helles: More lemongrass and bittering hops. More caramel and honey malts. Less Munich malt. Overall similar body, but less sweet and bready, which a touch more bitterness.

to Surly's First Avenue +1: Less bitter wheat on the flavor. More caramel malts and less honey. Overall, heavier, buttery, and sweeter.

to Dorothy's New World Lager: A darker color. Less aroma and flavor. More honey flavor and less hoppiness and yeast zing. Flatter. More malty overall.

to Castle Cream Ale 3/28/20: This one has more aroma, but less flavor. More lemon and honey. Similar though. A trace more European bready, salty bread malt flavor rather than corn/honey. Similar in sweetness, body, and feel. Overall, more lemon and hoppy. These are nearly identical though.
5/13/21: Pours similar color. More honey and lemonflower on the aroma. Less cream and bread malt. Stronger grassy and earthier notes. More bitter too.

to Surly Hell Lager: Pours a more amber color with a smaller head. Less aroma. More honey and malts on the aroma. Less lemon citrus. Less bitter. More malty and sweeter with a slightly heavier body.

to Paulaner Helles: Lighter aromas, and more lemon citrus and lemongrass. Crispier, hoppier, and less Munich malts. More honey rather than Munich malt sweetness. Finishes crispier, lighter, and dryer.

Compared w/ Bahaus Wonderstuff 5/26/20: Extremely similar. Pours a darker golden color. Aroma is weaker. Flavor is more earthy honey and lemonflower. Less bread. Similar amount of lemon. Overall, it just has slightly more earthy honey and flower. Maybe sweeter, but less salty.
11/3/20: Pours a darker color. Stronger earth and flower. Less pale malt, lemon citrus, yeast.
4/25/21: Milder aromas. Earthier. More honey. Less white bread, lemon, salt.
5/17/21: Milder aromas. Earthier. More honey and cream. Less lemon citrus, salt, and bready yeast.

to Dakota Soul 5/17/20: Pours a slightly darker color. Milder aromas. More earthy flower and honey lemon. Less zesty citrus and yeast. More malt focused and less hops and bitterness.
6/13/21: Not too different. Slightly more honeyflower and less lemongrass and yeast. Smoother and sweeter.

to Bent Paddle's Classic Cream 7/12/20: Pours a much darker color. Stronger aromas of authentic earthy, European honey. Less corn, cream, and American honey.
4/16/21 (misidentified blind): More bread malt and yeast. Less rich and earthy honey.
6/7/21: More lemonflower, bitter hops, yeast. Less smooth and earthy honey/cream.

to Mankato Brewery's Kato 10/10/20: Pours a much darker color. Stronger aromas of honeyflower and malts. Less Belgian spices and saison flavors. Winner: Dortmund

to Bitberger Festbier 2020 11/3/20: Pours a darker color. More honey on the aroma. Similar amount of earth. Less bready though. Sweeter.

Compared to Surly Oktoberfest 11/8/20: Pours a similar appearance. More earthy and resinous honey and forest floor. Less lemon and German Munich malt. More smooth and less yeasty/bready. Overall, extremely similar.

to Spaten Lager 5/26/21: Milder aromas. More hops and bitterness. More grassy, floral, and lemon. Less smooth and sweet bread.

Overall: Really a fantastic beer. The malts mix between a Helles and a Zwickel. This beer from Great Lakes nails the English lemon hops and caramel malts and I wouldn't be able to tell it's American-made by any means. Nice honey and granola flavors with some lemonflower to support. Lean malty though with English notes. Lots of earthy, honey cereal. Very much reminds me of drinking an English biscuit or granola bar. (Final Rating: 4.19)
Try comparing to Wonderstuff again*

May 17, 2020

VoxRationis from New York

4.07/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

Decanted from a 12 oz (355 ml) into a Captain Lawrence muffin top; best by 3/25/20 (still seems pretty fresh).
A: Pours a dark golden leaning toward light copper color with foamy, white (one-ish finger) head formation, rim retention and little lacing.
S: Aromas of honey suckle, pumpkin, apple, peanut, and (light) spice (esp cinnamon). Vinous toward the end. More peppery as it warms.
T: At least semisweet and nicely malty, flavor an amalgam of the palate, and overall nicely balance by the light bitterness.
M: Light to medium bodied with solid carbonation. Smooth and creamy.
O: Flavorful and enjoyable, flavor forward, really. This is really a winner and could see it being a go to, as least for my palate.

Apr 02, 2020

thatfellow from Ohio

4.47/5  rDev +9.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A mainstay of good and sessionable drinking, Dortmunder Gold is balanced, approachable, and hooks the palate with its compelling malty undertones.

From the beginning it pours a slightly toasted grain color, with a soft fluffy head that persists from the brim to the bottom of the vessel. Scent is squarely within lager domain; neither skunky nor lifeless. Each taste washes over the tongue and compels another afterwards, with an enjoyable and satisfying heartiness that doesn't overpower. It's thin but not forgettable, and that maltiness tempered by hops comes back again and again.

Very enjoyable lager, the kind you'd like to have more often and pass a pitcher back and forth between friends.

Feb 15, 2020

zoowatcher

4.7/5  rDev +15.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75

It is a beer that delivers on its claims. It is a great all around beer experience. It holds its own against the hoppy and heavy stout trends going on. A great standard to start on and hold other beers against.

Jan 20, 2020

Wattie83 from Pennsylvania

4.1/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Solid gold with a nice white top. Crystal clear. Head falls to a thin cap. Smells of bread dough with a bit of herblness. Great balance between malt and hops. Not too sweet, not too bitter. Yup, balance is the key. Real smooth feel. Not overly carbed, but it's there. Overall a real smooth drinker that wouldn't get heavy or boring. Glad I finally tried it!

Jan 18, 2020

jernjawn from Pennsylvania

4.47/5  rDev +9.6%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75

pours a one finger rich creamy off white head, quickly dissipating to an attractive pillowy lace. amber gold with a little carbonation
wonderful sweet smell
tastes as wonderful as it smells. honey with some hop bitters on the outro
crisp and satisfyingly full mouthfeel
a joy to drink.

Dec 02, 2019

officerbill from New York

4.04/5  rDev -1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Not much to add to the other reviews. This is an excellent example of a German Dortmunder/export beer. Malty, a little hoppy. Crisp and refreshing. An American version as good as any German offering.

Jul 26, 2019

TH28 from Florida

4.01/5  rDev -1.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

12oz bottle. 9/4/19 BB date. Appearance: Deep golden, crystal clear, with a thick pillowy white head that lingers with nice lacing.
Aroma: Breadiness is strong with quite a bit of caramel. All malt, with no noticeable hop or yeast contribution.
Taste: Medium caramel malt sweetness with a light breadiness and toasted crust on the back end. Moderate bitterness pears only on the swallow to balance out the malt.
Mouthfeel: Medium bodied with a low to moderate carbonation.
Finish: Malt lingers long after the swallow, primarily with caramel and some bread crust.
Overall: Really clean and crisp with a strong malt character throughout, with a complimentary but not overpowering caramel and toasted crust. World class

Jul 07, 2019

laketang from Arizona

4.02/5  rDev -1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

Nice clear amber beer with a minimal tan head. Wafts of caramel saltiness, wet may or grass clippings. Nice balance of hops with that malt sweetness you would expect with this beer. Good carbonation level too. Clean finish, tingle in the mouth. I would certainly buy more of this lager.

May 27, 2019