Dynamo Copper Lager - Metropolitan Brewing

brentk56

North Carolina

3.59/5  rDev -5.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.5

Appearance: Arrives at the bar with a modest head capping the amber colored liquid; lacing is sporadic

Smell: Malt forward, with caramel tones

Taste: Caramel flavors, up front, with some graininess building in the middle; the finish is rather sweet

Mouthfeel: Medium body with crisp carbonation

Overall: Pretty typical for an Amber Lager; too sweet for my palate with minimal bitterness; I really enjoyed the crisp mouthfeel, however

Serving type: on-tap

02-26-2013 22:26:11 | More by brentk56

Lemke10

Wisconsin

3.23/5  rDev -15.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

I tried this for the second time, but this time on tap at Hollywood Stadium inside the Joliet Hollywood Casino. It was a pint glass for $5.25.

Poured a clear pale golden yellow. Since this was brought out to me by a waitress there was no noticable head or lacing left by the time it got to my table. Has a nice wheat scent mixed with some floral and citrus hints. Has a slightly dry start with a crisp and clean finish. The finishing taste was a lot better than the beginning taste. I had completly forgot I had tried this beer before out of a bottle. I'm always one to say beer is better on tap but in this case I really didn't think so.

Serving type: on-tap

08-17-2011 01:36:23 | More by Lemke10

latackbeer

Illinois

3.05/5  rDev -19.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

I had to try this beer one for I live in Chicago and I believe in drinking local. Two I have had their Pils and loved it but this lager was average at bests. Poured a finger head with some lacing. Smell of some sweet malts and lemon. I thought at times I was drinking a Miller Light! Nothing about this beer blew me out of the water.

Serving type: on-tap

12-27-2010 03:33:41 | More by latackbeer

EddieTheTrooper

Illinois

5/5  rDev +31.2%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

This might just be my all-time favorite beer. I normally tend to favor ales over lagers, but something about the Dynamo commands my respect-- no, my reverence. I happened across this gem in a biker bar in Chicago and fell instantly in love with it. It is perfectly balanced and quite flavorful. It feels so smooth and tangy, which i realize are conflicting adjectives, and yet the Dynamo can pull it off. If this beer were a country I would go to war and die for it. If this beer were a band I would be its roadie, groupie, and number one fan. As it is with all beers there is something in the body that is lost in translation from tap to bottle, but the Dynamo still tastes and feels great regardless of the medium by which it is consumed. I only wish i could replace my blood with it.

Serving type: on-tap

10-17-2009 16:51:15 | More by EddieTheTrooper

AgentZero

Illinois

3.3/5  rDev -13.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Served to me in a 22 ounce glass mug.

A - Very nice coppery color on this one, hint of red. No head on it, assuming that is because of how the bartender was trying to make it.

S - Very complex smell to this one. Sweeter and more fruity than I'm expecting for a Vienna.

T - Definately get the sweet taste there of caramel. Some spice more spice and sweetness than I was expecting. Decently grainy.

M - Light to medium bodied, good carbonation pumped through on the tap.

D - Pretty easy to drink, could do a few of these.

Overall it's solid, but not great. Was excited to just stumble onto this on tap, but felt a little let down.

Serving type: on-tap

08-25-2009 03:43:48 | More by AgentZero

monkeyego

Illinois

4.03/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4.5

I am normally not a fan of Lagers, but since I am a Chicago transplant I thought I would give this beer a try. The actual brewery isn't more than a 10 minute bus right from my house.

Anyway, this is good. Plain and simple. Not challenging, not robust, not even all that interesting. Just Good. And on a hot day that is enough for you to be happy with your purchase.

If you want to taste what I image most Lagers should taste like, try this beer. Even though I am not a fan of Lagers in general, I would get Dynamo again.

Serving type: on-tap

05-04-2009 02:50:03 | More by monkeyego

mrquartetman

Illinois

3.53/5  rDev -7.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A: As advertised: copper-gold in color, medium head

S: Hop aroma, malt as well.

T: It's a lager, maltier than most, hoppier than some other microbrewed lagers.

M: Good flavor, fairly persistent

D: Refreshing, good for a hot day.

This lager goes beyond mass market lagers, in that it has actual good flavor, characterized by actual malt and real hoppiness. It's higher in alcohol than most lagers, and that's good.Other than that, it's not really a big beer.

Serving type: on-tap

03-27-2009 05:23:35 | More by mrquartetman

DownDaHatch

Illinois

3.05/5  rDev -19.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Nothing really special about this beer. Drinks like an immature Lager. I think it may be a bit misnamed. Thought it would have a bit more color for a copper lager. It drinks easy and pours with a nice head and lacing. Simply an average beer both inn mouth feel and drinkability. There are so many other, better beers available to drink.

Serving type: on-tap

02-01-2009 09:21:29 | More by DownDaHatch

Redrover

Illinois

4.05/5  rDev +6.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

This is one of my go to options and can’t believe I have yet to review it. Poured into SA pint glass, the beer is a dark yellow with amber highlights. It has a thick and sticky white head.

Nose of grains, floral and herbal hops. It is fresh and inviting.

Light malts add a bready and cracker taste. The beer is well balanced by some bright floral hop notes. Slight red apple and honey in the finish.

The mouth is medium with a great calibrated level of carbonation.

This is an easy beer to session and very easy to pair with food. Perfect beer to give someone who says they don’t like lagers.

Serving type: bottle

04-17-2013 16:59:08 | More by Redrover

Durtdiggler

Illinois

4.05/5  rDev +6.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

12 oz bottle pour from 6 pack bought at Binnys into pilsner glass.

Pours a light copper with 1 finger head with slight lacing on the glass. Beer is very clear with slight effervescent.

Smell is grain like with some darker bread, slightly toasty and tad sweet. The bread is real pungent. A lot of malt.

Tastes is extremely balanced. Clean bitterness at the end, hops not as earthy for this style but with slight caramel overtones to start. Definitely toastiness in the middle. A lot going on thebtonguenin the tasting.

Mouthfeel is awesome. Medium bodied but very drinkable.

I don't really drink a lot of lagers but this beer is fantastic. Very sessionable but has a lot going on with hops, malt, tad sweetness that balances out. The Vienna really shines. Local too.

Serving type: bottle

03-27-2013 23:17:45 | More by Durtdiggler

Mikes-Soft-Lemonale

Illinois

3.51/5  rDev -7.9%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25

Ok this beer has ALWAYS been my go-to. I love that I can get it anywhere. It's got this really pretty copper color, and it's persistent head stays pretty the whole way down.

Dang, sons. Can I drink this every day? I think I could.

They do a good job of consistency, which helps. I know I can always trust in buying a solid beer from these guys.

Serving type: bottle

03-06-2013 21:43:15 | More by Mikes-Soft-Lemonale

dhannes

Wisconsin

3.11/5  rDev -18.4%
look: 3 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Bought at Binny's in Chicago last month; poured into a Sam Adams' Perfect Pint and let warm up for about 5 minutes.

A=Definitely not a copper color...a medium dark yellow, but an appealing white 3 finger head. Still, the appearance was very typical for a lager.

S=Faint aroma of honey, with a faint essence of uric acid. Not appealing.

T=The "Vienna" flavor was present, but much less intense than a Boston Lager. Also a sweetness. A few sips had an off taste to it.

M=Less body than a Boston Lager; a bit of slickness to it as well.

O=Not a horrible beer, but not nearly comparable to a Boston Lager or Sprecher Amber. Won't buy again.

Serving type: bottle

02-20-2013 00:52:18 | More by dhannes

kangarooAdam59

Maine

3.58/5  rDev -6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Recieved in beer trade from cousin who lives in Illinois:

Into my pilsener:

A: light copper colored body that gives two finger white foamy head that dies within thirty seconds. Some nice ringy yet spider web lacing graces the sides of the glass. Some light carbonation is seen rising.

S: some herbal hops with some bready malts combined very nicely.

T: pretty much the same with a slight "Vienna lager"-ish crispness that I like for this style.

M: light to medium and leaves nothing obscure on the tongue.

O: this is a nice Vienna lager that I wouldn't mind having again.

Serving type: bottle

10-16-2012 16:47:46 | More by kangarooAdam59

CliffBrake

New Hampshire

4.05/5  rDev +6.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Thanks to immobilisme for the extra. You know what I like Bro!

Light copper color, absolutely bright, with a small fine head that leaves good lacing.

Graham cracker and a bit of herbal hops on the nose - very inviting. The flavor is light but complex enough to keep up the interest. Crisp bready malts with just the right hop twang. A bit of sweetness resolves with a light puckering bitterness.

Crisp light body. If I could only use a few words to describe this beer, crisp and refreshing come to mind.

For all you extreme ale drinkers out there (me included), this is a great lager to bring you back to earth - very refreshing and a reminder of how interesting a lighter beer can be.

Serving type: bottle

01-28-2012 14:35:44 | More by CliffBrake

JohnnyChicago

Illinois

4.22/5  rDev +10.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a 12oz bottle into a seidel mug.

A: Pours..well...copper. With a full white head that sticks around till the end.

S: Toast and earthy hops upfront, with some honey and raisons in the background.

T: Very tasty! There is a very pleasant melanoidin presence that gives this a rich, smooth taste throughout. Spicy hops finish this dry and crisp.

D: Drinkability is spot-on and I would love to see this in bigger formats (like mini-kegs) because this would be a great 'one beer-all day' brew.

Overall: This is one of the few lager styles that Americans seem to do pretty damned well. Hoppier versions like SABL are on one end; this is on the other. It relies on perfect balance and expert malt development to deliver the flavour. No room for flaws in this beer, and there really aren't any at all.

Serving type: bottle

01-21-2012 22:37:19 | More by JohnnyChicago

emmasdad

Colorado

3.35/5  rDev -12.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Bottle poured a clear tarnished gold with a small lasting white head. Aromas of honey, straw and a hint of spice. Palate was light bodied and smooth with a watery finish. Flavors of honey, straw and light earthiness with a smooth watery honey finish.

Serving type: bottle

09-12-2011 22:37:02 | More by emmasdad

Dohdaman

Illinois

3.6/5  rDev -5.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured from a bottle into a pint glass.

A: Slightly hazy amber color, 1/4" off white head quickly dissapates leaving a little laceing.

S: Slight hops and malts, nothing really stands out.

T: Slight malt, hops flavor. Not bitter.

M: Kind of a medium body beer, not creamy at all.

O: A solid enjoyable beer, could drink several in one setting. A good lager.

Serving type: bottle

06-23-2011 23:14:26 | More by Dohdaman

rmalinowski4

Illinois

3.9/5  rDev +2.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

pours a crystal clear light copper color with two finger light head. Head recedes slowly leaving some lacing on the glass. can see bubbles dancing up the glass.

Smell is sweet malts with very little hop profile.

Taste is ver clean and light. Great malt profile, slightly sweet, slight bitter hop finish. crisp and smooth.

The mouthfeel is perfect, good carbonation, light body, creamy and very easy to drink. Everything I would want froma lager.

Overall this is one of the best American lagers I have had. It is clean, crisp, flavorfull, and easy to drink. Miller and Bud wish they tasted this good.

Serving type: bottle

05-09-2011 00:35:23 | More by rmalinowski4

TMoney2591

Illinois

3.55/5  rDev -6.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Served in a flared pokal at Bliss.

Another beer I'm trying for the first time after passing it by all the time at the store. It pours a clear light brass topped by a finger of lightly off-white foam. The nose comprises buttery caramel, very light lemon zest, flowers, and light sweetgrass. The taste holds notes of toffee, very mild cocoa, flowers, grass, greens, and what seems like some toasted malts. The body is a hefty light, with a very light moderate carbonation and a dry finish. Overall, a fairly solid Vienna, though the nose is pretty weak and the flavors just don't seem to meld all the way (if that makes any sense anymore).

Serving type: bottle

04-23-2011 00:14:46 | More by TMoney2591

Florida9

Illinois

3.8/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A: Unsurprisingly copper in color. Clear. Forms a small, but very stable, off-white head that sits on top of this beer for the entirety of the glass. Some very visible carbonation.

S: Mild caramel and earthy maltiness. Some light hops, though nothing for which I can distinguish.

T: Very clean malt flavor. Some caramel, some grain, a slight nuttiness, and an almost non-existent bitterness.

M: On the lighter side of medium with just enough body. Very clean feeling.

D: A light, clean, user-friendly beer, presumably brewed for the macro cross-over drinker. A quality beer that I found enjoyable, though not overly memorable.

Serving type: bottle

04-13-2011 01:53:42 | More by Florida9

steveh

Illinois

4.3/5  rDev +12.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

This one goes out to "nobodyimportant" after our discussion on Metropolitan beers over in the Great Lakes Forum.

A -- Very dense, long-lasting light tan head with a clear copper color.

S -- Mild spicy hop nose with DMS peaking through. Some mild bready malts fighting to be recognized.

T -- Mellow, rich and bready malt up front that lingers into the mildest spicy hop balance and finishes nutty. Mildest of bitterness in the aftertaste balanced with toasty malt. There's the slightest fruitiness in the aftertaste, but it's not at all distracting and tastes more of rich malt than warm-fermented yeast or hops.

M -- Very soft to almost creamy mouthfeel with a dry finish. Light medium body.

O -- This beer just about nails the Vienna Lager style -- in fact, I'll probably revisit this review in a couple days, after I've sampled a couple more, because it could be just about perfect, but for the low aroma characters. The flavor of the beer is complex and mellow at the same time -- very much as you'd expect in the style.

Serving type: bottle

04-08-2011 21:27:32 | More by steveh

BeerAdvocate

Massachusetts

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

Review from BeerAdvocate Magazine Issue #48 (Jan 2011):

Pours a clear copper color with enough lacing for the duration of this session. Toasted bread and a faintness of caramel in this immaculate nose. Refreshing crispness reaches new levels here; a wonderful mouthfeel. Uniform toastiness, on the dry side, though there is a quick touch of caramel in the middle. Hops have a quick sting of bitter- ness with some raw herbal flavors. Dry, toasted-grain ending. A solid brew, very easy to drink with a smattering of well-placed complexities to make it interesting.

Serving type: bottle

03-23-2011 14:38:18 | More by BeerAdvocate

DavoleBomb

Ohio

3.8/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured into a pint glass.

3.0 A: Clear copper orange color. One and a half fingers of white head falls quickly and leaves no lacing.

3.5 S: Grainy with a strong cidery sweetness. Hops are grassy, but aren't very powerful. The apple cider flavor, despite being considered a flaw, works very well in this one.

4.0 T: Grainy again with underlying caramel tones. The cider in the nose is only barely detectable in the taste. Again, grassy hops. Simple, yet tasty.

3.5 M: Light body. Good moderate carbonation. This could have a thicker body and be creamier, but not too bad.

4.0 D: Easy going down and refreshing. If this was meant to be super flavorful and complex, then they screwed up, but if this was meant to be a good thirst quenching beer, then they did just fine.

Serving type: bottle

03-06-2011 07:06:27 | More by DavoleBomb

IchabodcraneIpa

Illinois

3.53/5  rDev -7.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Tried this one out of the bottle.

Was in the bottle so I could only assume the color might have been a coppery dark color.

The smell of this lager was of pennies and reminded me of the smell of a wishing well at your local mall.

The taste of this one was immediately striking to me and it surely was a taste of copper and pennies mixed with a watery lager flavor that ran down the tongue.

The mouthfeel of this one was slightly watery to me, but I still found it enjoyable.

The drinkability on this is decent for me as I found the flavor of this beer to be very intriguing and fun.

Serving type: bottle

03-01-2011 00:19:04 | More by IchabodcraneIpa

LacquerHead

Illinois

3.53/5  rDev -7.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

The smell reminded me of pennies and bitter vegetables. The taste was similar. At first I didn't like it. I got through half of my first beer and set it aside, neglecting it while I surfed the BA website, feeling burned by my purchase. I drank it every now and again, but I started to notice the flavor was improving.

The first beer I drank came right out of the freezer and was very cold when I started drinking it. Apparently this beer taste much better at warmer temps. I discovered that I quite liked it when the beer was between 50-60 degrees. I let the second bottle warm up before I drank it and found that my experience with this beer had improved.

It had a carbonated bite with a quasi-caramel flavor. There was a bit of dryness at times which seemed to keep the caramel flavor from dominating. The flavor was well balanced, but on the mellow side. It also had a gritty texture, sort of earthy.

Drinkability: easy to drink, but filling. By the third beer, I was getting full. I was sipping the beer by the fourth and fifth.

Overall: Likes it's brother, Krankshaft, I would describe this beer as "clean." It had an "every man's beer," quality - or "woman's". It was good, and while I probably wouldn't purchase a 6pck, I would definitely have this at a bar, especially towards the end of the night.

Serving type: bottle

02-12-2011 23:17:10 | More by LacquerHead