Dortmunder Gold
Great Lakes Brewing Co.

I think the issue with my displeasure is the beer didn’t seem very fresh. But I can’t review based on anything but what I actually experienced. Anything else would be dishonest. If I find this somewhere else and it’s fresh, I’ll update my rating if it changes.

 

12oz can with a best by date of 3/6/26. Opened 2/8/26.
1+ finger off-white head with excellent retention. Lacing abounds.
Deep, golden-bronze body with very good clarity and ample carbonation swirling topside.
Sweet and toasty grain, honey, light hop spice in the aroma.
Toasty malt, apple, honey, and floral. Really enjoy the balance and drinkability.
Medium plus body and carbonation with a flavorful off-dry finish.
Outstanding.

 

Clear amber color. Head is white but not persistent. Lacing is okay
Smells malty
Good taste, not offensive at all
Nice hops, good mouth taste
Overall a good lager, something I would have again

 

 

 

oner finger off white head, medium amber body.
smell is bready and malty.
taste is a good balance of sweet malt and dry hops.
it is a pretty heavy feeling beer.
was out on by beerswithalan on instagram. he recommends dortmunder gold to any banquet lover as a good switch up beer, but I would say that it could be a banquet lovers new favorite beer.

 

This reminds me of a maltier version of Yungling. Color, smell, taste, head all remind me of it. I think it’s a really refreshing beer it definitely is something I want to try more of.

Can of Great Lakes Dortmunder Gold from the refrigerator poured into a glass. The beer was tasted mid September of 2025, two and a half months prior to expiration. The beer has a full gold body with a firm head that doesn't stick around a long time, and leaves a trace of lacing. Aroma is beery. Flavor upfront emphasizes hop flavor and bitterness, with a background of malt body. Aftertaste gives malt and hop flavor notes under the hop bitterness. I last had this beer at least five years ago and am happy to see GL get distribution again on Long Island. This beer is 5.8% alcohol now. I wonder if attenuation has been increased in the interim for the hefty abv. I'll keep buying this if the distribution is sustained. Serving suggestion: a second can at about 50F gave me a better impression, with fuller body and better balance. No change in rating at this time.

 

 

I've been drinking many lagers over the last two years...American and German. This is down the list quite a bit. Nondescript caramel maltiness with little hop presence. Leans way too much to AAL territory for me. Two months from best by date, this should still be rocking my world somewhat. Will struggle through the sixer more than others

Amber Gold on the pour, this lager has an ample head with some lacing. Aroma is strong -- malty bread with some dry hops. Taste follows smell, slightly sweet malty base with a pleasant crisp, hoppy finish. Moderate carbonation, with a creamy feel. Haven't had much experience with beers in this style -- I will be buying this one again! A very tasty brew....

12 oz. can

Pours hazy amber gold orange with a dense creamy off-white foam head. Notes of sweet toasty biscuit and honeyed malts, caramelized bready cereal grain, with citrusy floral earthy herbal grassy hops. Feels medium plus bodied, creamy smooth with moderate low carbonation. Overall a nice Dortmunder export lager.

Deep golden amber with nice head and lacing. Definitely a good looking beer... It smells toasty, bready, a bit of caramel with slightly earthy/floral scent. Taste follows the nose. Malty, bready and slightly sweet with a dry finish and a decent hop bitterness to round things out...approaching medium bodied and quaffable. Very easy drinking, mellow and worth a try...