DAB Original - Dortmunder Actien Brauerei / DAB

armock

New York

3.43/5  rDev +4.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Liter can and mug combo from BevMo in Livermore, CA

A - Poured a golden color with a white head that leaves lacing behind

S - Is of grainy pale malt slightly stinky

T - Better than it smells sweet grainy malt that finishes clean

M - This beer has a lighter body with medium carbonation to it

O - This really isn't my first choice fr a beer but for what it is its very easy drinking with a good taste making this liter not much of a chore worth a try sometime if you see it

Serving type: can

09-11-2011 02:06:08 | More by armock

MinnesotaRIS

Minnesota

3.25/5  rDev -0.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

From 500ml cans.

A - Brilliantly gold and clear. Thin, rocky white head that goes down quickly. Some remaining carbonation.

S - German lager. Malt aroma with little to no hop aroma. Low sulfur

T - served around 55-60F . Dry with some malt sweetness. Very crisp at colder temperature. Some lingering taste of pils and possibly munich malt in the finish. Bitter in the finish and enough to support instead of dominate. Does not round out - empties.

M - Thin body. Not a lot of support which is to be expected. A sturdy beer for a helles. Decent German table beer.

Worth a try as a prototypical beer but I suspect that this beer has diminished in quality over the decades.

Serving type: can

09-10-2011 02:29:34 | More by MinnesotaRIS

thehyperduck

Ontario (Canada)

3.54/5  rDev +8.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.75

[Updated Jan. 15 2013]
I tried this again today and decided to update its grade with the new (0.25 increment) scoring system. 500 mL can from the LCBO; best before Feb 1 2014.

Pours a bright golden-yellow colour, topped with nearly two fingers worth of puffy, soapy white head that slowly seeps away over a period of minutes, leaving behind some modest streaks of lacing on the sides. Typical German lager aromas - grainy, biscuity malts, grass, wet hay, and not a whole lot else. Clean smelling, with no skunk.

Much like the nose, the flavour is clean and straightforward - pale grain malts and biscuity sweetness come through at first, followed by grassy, somewhat floral hop notes. Dry finish, with some grassy bitterness that doesn't linger long. Light-bodied, with relatively mild carbonation (for a pale lager) that helps give it a very smooth feel on the palate. Extremely drinkable, as I'd expect from a quality lager.

Final Grade: 3.54, an acceptable B. Nothing fancy here, just plain ol' German lager goodness. I haven't had very many Dortmunders, so comparing this brew to others of its type is difficult for me - but as far as German lagers in general go, this is a respectable offering to be sure. It's worth pointing out that the price is also excellent, and there are only a small number of similar imported brews that I would consider in the same 'quality vs. price' range as DAB Original. I'd avoid the silly green bottles if possible, but other than that - drink up and enjoy!

Serving type: can

09-04-2011 02:40:11 | More by thehyperduck

industrialswill

Washington

4.65/5  rDev +42.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

This is Liquid Gold..!
It's been 35 years since I've had this one and it's just as good as I remembered.
The 500 ml can was priced at $2.
It's got a thick head after a delicate pour.
Smells a little "hoppy"
The taste is eveything a light lager should be...I could drink these all night.
This is just a fantastic beer and I'm so glad to see it available in a can.

Serving type: can

08-29-2011 05:08:11 | More by industrialswill

MEsoJD

California

3.03/5  rDev -7.3%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

(giant mug gift set)

A: Gold/ honey color. Large creamy head, with moderate dissipation.

S: Smells of yeast, sweet malt, light hops.

T: Not much to the taste. Just as my nose predicted, sweet malt and light hops.

M: Crisp, medium carbonation, dry and light bodied.

O: Nothing amazing about this beer, but it's refreshing. Something appropriate for a big mug. It's not complex, but I wouldn't mind having another for a reasonable price. I may recommend under the right circumstances.

Serving type: can

08-24-2011 00:35:24 | More by MEsoJD

bpw28

New Jersey

3.38/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Look: Very little head (saw nothing coming, poured more aggressive, still nothing really), light godl (about a 5 SRM), good lacing, good carb can be seen.

Smell: Malt strong, a little wheaty smelling, floral, a little clean tangerine and grapefruit smell.

Taste: Malty, Wheaty, Biscuit, a lazy hop bitter that comes after a while. Good carb, not overbearing. Body is well, light but not watery.

Final Thoughts: It's not bad compared to the AAL. I would thank anyone kindly for this one if they handed it to me at a AAL kind of party, bbq, whatever. While I don't like the style, this one is decent and acceptable.

Serving type: bottle

07-27-2011 14:03:50 | More by bpw28

DrewSnyc667

Massachusetts

2.5/5  rDev -23.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

Been a hot summer here in NYC and the longer it's been going the more I've found German and Czech lagers to be the best quenchers.

Saw a 6 pack of DAB Pounder Cans on special, never had it, what the hell...

Pored into a .4l Glass Mug

A - Very Active, almost no head, color is a dark yellow, a bit strange, almost like a red bull.

S - soft on the hops, grassy malt, faint alcohol, best trait of the beer for me

T - Bitter finish that doesn't really have any crisp hop taste, almost all malt, boring, bland

M - a bit chewy for me, really could use a snappy finish

O - Nothing special here, guess it's alright to just watch a game with, but I won't get it again

Serving type: can

07-26-2011 22:48:37 | More by DrewSnyc667

Hayward

New York

3.58/5  rDev +9.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

pale golden yellow appearance. descent head that dissipates after a little while. No lacing remains.

Smell is sweet and malty, with a slightly metallic tinge to the nose.

Taste is slightly spicey hop bitterness up front, which is nicely unexpected. Definitely some earthiness and grassiness there, almost a very mild tobacco hint in there as well, followed off by a round malt sweetness.

Nicely carbonated, refreshing with a nice bite.

If the metallic notes weren't there I would rate this higher. Not sure what produces that off flavor but it becomes less noticeable after the first few sips.

Serving type: can

06-21-2011 00:29:07 | More by Hayward

Wetpaperbag

Washington

3.5/5  rDev +7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Saw this in the store for 1.50 a tall boy so I thought I would be a good thing to try.

A- Very clear pale yellow with a massive thick head. Lots of activity in the glass.

S- Smells like bread and biscuits. The traditional sulfur lager smell is there in the background.

T- The taste is bready with a slight bitterness from something not hops. I'm getting something slightly fruit flavored. This has the taste of something that reminds me of when I first started drinking pale lagers back in the day.

M- Lots of carbonation, the beer itself is slightly thicker then expected, but it is good.

O- Not too bad, it goes well with the yard work I've been doing, refreshing.

Serving type: can

06-17-2011 18:24:34 | More by Wetpaperbag

TMoney2591

Illinois

2.73/5  rDev -16.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Served in a flared flute glass at Bauer's Brauhaus.

Sat down at the bar, ordered some beer, and relaxed: Good day at the Brauhaus. This brew pours a clear sallow topped by a finger of white micro-foam. The nose comprises light wheat, very light lemon zest, and light flowers. The taste holds notes of wheat, greens, flowers, and light rice. The body is quite light, with a light moderate carbonation, a nearly watery feel, and a crisp finish. Overall, an okay brew at best, but way too thin and watery, even for a Dortmunder, not to mention the meekness of the flavors and scent.

Serving type: on-tap

06-06-2011 03:14:13 | More by TMoney2591

Lemke10

Wisconsin

2.53/5  rDev -22.6%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

I bought a Mix & Match 6-pack at Badger Spirits in Beloit, WI for $8.99.

Pours a very clear plae yellow color and a white head of foam that sticks around til about the first sip and that's it. With it's green bottle and scent, it reminds me a lot of Heineken. The scent hints at cheap grassy grains. Taste is rather bland and light in texture. You get a little grain taste but that's about it. Rather simple finish as well. Something new to try but that's about all.

Serving type: bottle

06-02-2011 04:53:22 | More by Lemke10

CrazyDavros

Australia

2.48/5  rDev -24.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Pours gold/amber wtih a large fading head.
Nose shows hay and light malt with a hint of floral hops. Very light on.
Similar flavours but even fainter. Lots more straw/hay flavours.
Carbonation could be higher.
Pretty boring... I seem to remember this having more honey notes last time round...

Serving type: bottle

05-27-2011 10:36:13 | More by CrazyDavros

JednoPivoProsim

Maryland

3.65/5  rDev +11.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from an 11.2 fl oz bottle into a pint glass.

Appearance: As expected, light golden to yellow color with relatively thin white head.

Smell: Metallic Euro lager smell. Grassy aroma.

Taste: About as plain as you can get. Buttery flavor, no strong hop note. Nothing offensive, just nothing that stands out. Certainly refreshing.

Mouthfeel: Full bodied, not a lot of carbonation. Slightly bitter aftertaste.

Overall: I like this beer in a sense that it seems to stay true to its purpose (whatever that means). Not quite as dry as a standard German pils, not quite as hoppy as a Czech pilsner, and not quite as sweet/malty as Munich Helles, it seems to strike a nice balance.

Serving type: bottle

05-16-2011 00:48:58 | More by JednoPivoProsim

dbaker61

Ohio

3.45/5  rDev +5.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Appearance: Golden yellow color. Got about a finger of head, which died down in less than a minute to a partial ring of bubbles. A little lacing left on the glass.

Smell: Yeasty, bready malt aroma. A little skunk, appropriate to the style and not enought to be objectionable.

Taste: Hello, hops. Nice, big hops bite right up front. Some malt sweetness later, followed by a bitter aftertaste. Hope flavors are balanced well.

Mouthfeel: Medium bodied, with plenty of palate-scrubbing carbonation. Crisp, dry finish.

Overall: Very drinkable dortmunder lager. Seems to me to be a good example of the style. This is a beer that I will come back to when wanting a German lager.

Serving type: bottle

05-15-2011 11:51:25 | More by dbaker61

womencantsail

California

3.43/5  rDev +4.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A: The beer pours a slightly cloudy golden straw color with a large white head.

S: Smells of straw and grass with a decent breadiness to it. Some light biscuit notes as well as some toasted bread. There is a definite skunk to it as well as a fair amount of lager yeastiness.

T: Sweet malt with a nice breadiness and biscuity flavor. Some honey notes to it as well as a bit of a floral character. Some grassy hops with a little bit of bitterness on the back end.

M: Medium in body, but the carbonation is slightly on the low side of medium.

O: Usually I like Dortmunders quite a bit, but this wasn't quite my favorite

Serving type: can

05-04-2011 18:21:35 | More by womencantsail

steveh

Illinois

3.15/5  rDev -3.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Found a semi-local carrying this old standby import from the days before the Micro-Boom®. Decent price too at $12 a 12 pack.

Green bottle from a covered 12 pack, indecipherable codes on the label.

A -- Clear, pale straw gold with a firm, dense white head that settles slowly.

S -- Hmm, somewhat sulfury, yeasty nose (which is common to the style), but not much else -- but maybe the vaguest DMS. More sweet, bready malt with warmth.

T -- Light, bready malts with a firm bitterness as a backbone, finishing with spicy hops and the lingering bitterness in the aftertaste.

M -- Body is light to light-medium with a dry, crisp mouthfeel.

O -- I want to like this beer -- whether from nostalgia or the fact that I have 10 more bottles I can't say, but there seems to be something rather lacking compared with other imports and fresher Micros of the same style.

Serving type: bottle

05-02-2011 21:20:10 | More by steveh

B967ierhunter177

Pennsylvania

2.58/5  rDev -21.1%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

This beer pours a clear, gold color which opens for an aroma of citrus and dough. The flavor is citrus fruit, grassy hops and some vanilla sweetness from the malt. It's got a medium mouthfeel and is quite drinkable. Dortmunder DAB Original is an okay beer, recommended.

Serving type: bottle

05-01-2011 00:59:58 | More by B967ierhunter177

drinkofczars

Washington

3.93/5  rDev +20.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A- Golden color, very expected for the type of beer this is.

S- Smells good. Not too skunky but has the bitter aroma I like in this type of beer.

T- Very nice taste. I wish there was a little more bite to the hops. Very refreshing to sip on in a tall-boy.

M- Very crisp and perfectly carbonated.

O- Very much like a Bitburger but without as much bitterness to it. Very pleasant to drink but I would go with a Bitburger over this beer any day. The Lock and Keel in Ballard, Seattle sells this beer for 3.75 which is a super good deal for the area and brew.

Refreshing and quenching beer.

Serving type: can

04-29-2011 07:40:18 | More by drinkofczars

eric5bellies

Australia

2.85/5  rDev -12.8%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Drqnk from my Duvel Tulip

A - Pours a Golden colour with a two fingered large bubbled head that retains well and laces.

S - Aromas of grain an citrus.

T - Notes of grains and grassyness.

M - Light body and full carbonation

O - Go for something else

Serving type: bottle

04-18-2011 14:42:24 | More by eric5bellies

sweemzander

Illinois

2.75/5  rDev -15.9%
look: 2 | smell: 2 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

16oz. can poured into a nonic.

(A)- Pours a clear yellow color. Produced some white bubbles.

(S)- A sweet smelling dry corn husk with some sugary honey.

(T)- Pretty similar to the smell in every way. A sugary sweet corn husk and honey profile.

(M)- A crisp carbonation level. Very sweet and mild. Thin too.

(D)- Fits the style fairly well. Not much to speak of flavor-wise, but it sure quenches your thirst in the heat.

Serving type: can

04-13-2011 00:11:37 | More by sweemzander

sj660

California

3.5/5  rDev +7%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

No dates of any kind on the bottle.

A thick white foam of consistent bubble size leaves thick laces over a perfectly bright yellow liquid.

Graham cracker, biscuit and grain aroma. Not strong. Clean; no esters. Mineral/metallic taste that's an artifact of the local water supply. Very dry. Medium bitterness. This pour might be old; it had a bit of cardboard flavor.

Mouthfeel was of medium to high carbonation, medium to light body, but yet still warming. Small hop bite on the finish. Some drying in the aftertaste.

The malt is slightly more powerful than the hops and the water is minerally enough to leave its own taste in the mix. Uncomplicated, one-dimensional, but refreshing.

This is a great exemplar of this style, I'm just not sure this deserves its own category, and probably wouldn't earn it if it were new today.

Serving type: bottle

04-12-2011 22:29:26 | More by sj660

bucklemyshoe

Georgia

2.7/5  rDev -17.4%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

330 mL bottle at 42 degrees into a pint glass.

A: It pours a golden-copper color with a finger of pure-white head that falls quickly and doesn't lace at all. It looks like a Euro Pale Lager.

S: Sweet corn, grass, light citrus, and very light hoppiness. It smells like a Euro Pale Lager.

T: Metallic flavors open with grass and a little wet grain. It tastes like a Euro Pale Lager.

M: It has a light body with medium-high carbonation and a quick and mostly pain-free finish. It feels like a Euro Pale Lager.

O: I'm convinced that this is a typical Euro Pale Lager. My first dortmunder was Ayinger Jahrhundertbier and it was MUCH better than this crap.

Serving type: bottle

04-11-2011 04:40:25 | More by bucklemyshoe

spinrsx

Ontario (Canada)

3.35/5  rDev +2.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

500ml Can

Appearance - Clear gold/yellow colour with a large size frothy and fizzy white coloured head. There is an average amount of carbonation showing and there is a pretty decent amount of lacing. The head lasted for around 5 minutes before it was gone.

Smell - Grains, hops, grass

Taste & Mouth - The beer has an above average amount of carbonation. I can taste grains mixed with a grassiness and a little bit of hops. There were also some light notes of honey and lemon zest. The aftertaste consisted of a little bit of a spiciness/bitterness from the lemon zest.

Overall - I found this beer to have a nice pleasant very drinkable flavour. The light bitter sweet notes set it apart from a bunch of the other euro-beers. I'd buy this beer again.

Serving type: can

04-04-2011 17:43:18 | More by spinrsx

Knapp85

Pennsylvania

2.55/5  rDev -22%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

Had this from a gift pack of German beers that a friend got me for christmas one year. This lager is on the more hardy side, it's got a nice amount of grains in the flavor. The hops are almost there, it's got a little more bitter than a pilsner. Golden in color, nice head for a little while. Some light lacing on the glass. Not a terrible beer.

Serving type: bottle

03-26-2011 00:01:31 | More by Knapp85

woemad

Washington

3.33/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

16.9oz can purchased at Huckleberry's in Spokane for under $2. No freshness date on the can.

Poured a mostly clear golden color, slightly marred by a light chill haze. Small ring of bubbly white foam that decreased to a foam collar rather quickly. Rare, spotty lace.

Grassy and mildly sweet in the nose.

Mild herbal hop notes mingle with an equally mild malty sweetness. Dry note at the swallow.

Fairly light bodied, as expected given the style. Relatively soft mouthfeel.

Fairly straightforward, easy drinking beer. This would be a pretty good lawnmower beer. However, there's not a lot going on here, so there's not a lot of need to seek this out or pay much for it.

Serving type: can

03-19-2011 23:32:00 | More by woemad