Great Lakes Dortmunder Gold - Great Lakes Brewing Company

Abbbp

Texas

4/5  rDev -2.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

First of all, Lakes makes some dang good beers. Awesome awesome selection in Cleveland (obviously), and because I was here on a conference I couldn't help but splurge.

This and another were on tap at the hotel restaurant I was drinking at, and even though everyone else was ordering the watered down standard, I jumped on this Gold.

Head was good and foamy, decent lacing all the way down. The color was oaky burnt orange, with an old wood smell. The taste was crisp, which to me was very surprising for a Lager. Nonetheless, by the end of my time, and fifth one, I had the whole group drinking this brew. Good times, definitely a recommend, am gonna try to procure some for my journey back to Texas before I leave.

Serving type: on-tap

03-10-2013 12:56:17 | More by Abbbp

claspada

New Jersey

3.88/5  rDev -5.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Aromas of bready and grainy pale and light malts with a subtle/indiscernible hop aroma.

The tastes follow the nose with full crisp amounts of bready and biscuity grainy malts with a hint of sweetness in the middle and a welcome light herbal hop bitterness on the back.

The mouthfeel is full bodied and well carbonated, actually a little chewy which is unexpected, but pleasant; finishes with a slight drying effect on the palate.

Overall a superb example of the style and the perfect session beer for a nice hot summer day or any day for that matter. Great Lakes is exceptional at crafting great sessionable ales that is for sure.

Serving type: on-tap

10-28-2012 13:48:05 | More by claspada

BierStein711

Illinois

4.78/5  rDev +16.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

This is a lucullan delight!

This is a outstanding lager! Two and a half finger head with a golden body. The carbonation is moderate, not overpowering like some carbonation.

Smells of wet grains, cereal, wheat, and alcohol.

Tastes: Wheat thins, crackers, medicinal herbs

Mouthfeel: Perfect, not watery like some lagers

Overall, this beer is a winner. Try it today!!!

Serving type: on-tap

10-15-2012 21:36:17 | More by BierStein711

RescueKitty

3.7/5  rDev -10%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Had in the Cleveland airport on draft during layover. Scared to death I'd miss connector, so I had only on Great Lakes beer. Dortmunder was very clear, light amber beer with good head. nice yeasty smell. Very drinkable beer. Good balance, soft buttering, fairly clean finish. I hate I could only have one. Really wanted the Edmund Fitzgerald too. Maybe next time.

Serving type: on-tap

10-09-2012 23:18:41 | More by RescueKitty

barczar

Kentucky

3.93/5  rDev -4.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Pours a deep caramel copper color with a half inch cream head that quickly dissipates, leaving sheets of lacing.

Bready caramel malt forms the backbone of the aroma, with floral hops closing out the finish. Notes of sweet toffee and hints of citrus add intrigue.

Flavor is slightly sweet, but bittering hops quickly add balance. The finish is dominated by toasted malt, fairly nutty and bready. There's a slight citrus undertone, and a nice floral and herbal hop presence. A cracker-like dryness at the finish keeps me wanting more.

Body is moderate, with carbonation drifting toward the high side. There's a bit of alcohol warmth that is not offputting.

Overall, a very well balanced beer, interesting in both malt and hop presence, but extremely drinkable.

Serving type: on-tap

09-29-2012 02:46:24 | More by barczar

Darkmagus82

Montana

3.85/5  rDev -6.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Served on tap in a 10 0z chalice glass

Appearance – The beer is served as a golden colored beer with a two finger white head. The head fades in a few minutes to leave a nice level of lacing.

Smell – The aromas are of a biscuit malt as well as a light caramel. With these aromas is also a very light citrus hop aroma.

Taste – The flavor begins of a crisp buiscuit flavor. Soon however a light sweet honey flavor comes to the tongue. This honey flavor is rather short lived however and again is lost more toward the end as some light hoppy flavors of a citrus and floaral nature come to the tongue. These flavors bitter the beer slightly and give just a little bit of bite to the taste, leaving a rather crisp malt and lightly hopped taste on the tongue.

Mouthfeel – The body of the beer is on the average to crisper side with a carbonation that is rather average as well.

Overall – Crisp, flavorful, and easy drinking. A nice lager to go to again and again.

Serving type: on-tap

08-28-2012 00:29:56 | More by Darkmagus82

clemtig76

South Carolina

4.4/5  rDev +7.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Had this at the Cleveland airport waiting on my plane for home. Pours a rich, transparent amber color with a decent-sized head. Aroma is pleasantly maltly with just a touch of citrus. Lacing rimmed the glass with every sip. Really nice carbonation. Flavor is very malty with just hint of the herbal and citrsy hops. This combination makes for an incredibly balanced and highly drinkable brew. Hops flavor is clean and appropriately present. Extremely well crafted lager. I am impressed. Just wish they sold it in SC.

Serving type: on-tap

08-09-2012 18:30:37 | More by clemtig76

ThisWangsChung

Maryland

3.38/5  rDev -17.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

16. oz poured into a pint glass at Logan's Tavern in DC. From notes.

A: Pours a light copper color with very evident carbonation and good clarity. The head is a one finger offwhite color the solidly retains a thin layer, and provides sheets of lacing down the glass.

S: Toasted grains and hints of earthiness. Absolutely nothing wrong with the scent, it's just rather subdued.

T: Has a generally toasty caramel malt flavor like I expected (if you've had Sam Adams Boston Lager before - and I'm pretty sure you have if you're American - then you'll know exactly what to expect here). What caught me off guard slightly was the hints of citrus on the finish. No mindblowing complexity here, but I don't expect that in a lager anyways. Good stuff.

M: Healthy carbonation with a light, crisp finish. Nothing fancy or special, just easy drinking.

O: I'm more of a pilsner fan, but this was still pretty damn solid and enjoyable. I'd gladly drink it again, but I wouldn't jump through hoops to hunt it down.

Serving type: on-tap

06-18-2012 02:38:27 | More by ThisWangsChung

AdamBear

Pennsylvania

3.53/5  rDev -14.1%
look: 5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A-dark gold with sticky white head

S-crisp german lager smell, very grainy. faint scent

T-comes in with a very crisp and bitter taste of grassy grains. has a bit of a boozy taste with and has a good lasting bitterness

M-very bitter. medium carbonation with a dry finish

O-for me, not the the type of beer that you drink and sit back and think about the taste. its not going to make you smile after every sip. it does go down extremely easy though with only small off-flavors.

Serving type: on-tap

05-06-2012 01:43:17 | More by AdamBear

Luigi

North Carolina

4.63/5  rDev +12.7%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Clear golden yellow color with a large almost creamy head. Retains and sticks all over the glass. Leaving rings of lace from start to finish. Almost like reading the rings on a tree stump. haha

On tap the hop profile seems to come out as the more dominate flavor. Bitter floral and citrus aromas hit the nose at first, matched with a great blend of sweet but light malt.

Again, the taste on tap seems to have more hop flavor. I cannot find any wrong with that. Grapefruit and pine comes to mind, but the same as a Pale Ale would present these flavors. They are much lighter and balanced with a sweet honey wheat malt. Finished semi-dry with some hops lingering, but still thirst quenching.

Light in body with a moderate amount of carbonation.

I tell you what, I have been so impressed with Great Lakes brewing. They have yet to disappoint. And their Dortmunder God lager is another fine example. On-tap or in the bottle

Serving type: on-tap

04-18-2012 18:12:38 | More by Luigi

mdfb79

New York

4.18/5  rDev +1.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

From 03/20/12 notes. had on tap at Arlington Rooftop. Served in a piint glass.

a - Pours a somewhat transparent bright golden color with one inch of fluffy white head and moderate carbonation evident. Looks very nice.

s - Smells of bready malts, grains, biscuit malts, light caramel malts, yeast, and earthy notes.

t - Tastes of bready malts, grains, light fruity malts, honey, biscuit, earthy notes, and some light caramel notes. A little better then the nose, very nice.

m - Light to medium body and low to moderate carbonation. Crisp and very easy to drink.

o - Overall I thought this was a great, easy to drink beer. I haven't had many Dortmunder's, but this is definitely the best one I've had so far. Very nice look and mouthfeel, and a beer you could certainly have a few of. Glad to see this hitting NoVa, looking forward to having more of this one.

Serving type: on-tap

03-21-2012 18:47:10 | More by mdfb79

MP72

Pennsylvania

3.55/5  rDev -13.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A- In a .5 litre dimple looks a nice amber with a really thick white head.

S- Smells like caramel and biscuit

T- Very Malty and the caramel is present also there is little detectable hops but ends dry.

M- Thick for a medium weight beer also decent carbonation .

O- A little dissapointed I bought this in bulk based on the description on BA being between a pils and a helles and this tastes far more like a Vienna lager to me with more booze. This is a decent beer but way sweeter than I expected. This seems similar to Penn Pilsner and Sam Adams Boston Lager except with less hop bite than Boston Lager. I am not real familiar with Dortmund beers so this may be true to style.

It is a well brewed beer for sure and has amazing lacing for a lager!

Serving type: on-tap

01-19-2012 14:16:37 | More by MP72

biboergosum

Alberta (Canada)

4/5  rDev -2.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On-tap at the Oak Cafe in suburban Detroit.

This beer pours a clear burnished golden hue, with one finger of foamy off-white head, which leaves some scattered specked lace around the glass. It smells of crisp biscuit malt, and floral earthy hops. The taste is bready, crackery malt, and leafy hops. The carbonation is average, the body medium smooth, but slightly zingy. It finishes off-dry with an even maltiness, and light lingering hopinesss.

A very drinkable German-style lager. Overseas deployment and hockey stories go well with it.

Serving type: on-tap

09-23-2011 00:56:45 | More by biboergosum

jsprain1

Minnesota

3.9/5  rDev -5.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A- Pours a shade darker than golden, very clear. Solidly white head is fluffy, leaving two rings of lacing.
S- Smell is slightly floral with a grassy, slightly grainy character.
T- Initially there is a lightly grassy note followed by a slightly grainy, slightly toasty malt note.
M- On the full side of medium on this style's spectrum. Carbonation is medium.
O- A pleasant easy drinking lager. Nice solid, body and plenty of flavor.

Serving type: on-tap

09-19-2011 22:13:58 | More by jsprain1

TheRealBigC

Nevada

4.4/5  rDev +7.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

At the Boiler Room in Chicago, late night, for a slice. They have a fairly cheap slice and PBR deal (or you can add a shot of Jameson for a PB&J - not my thing though). Turns out they are out of PBR and they are serving this here Dortmunder instead... at the same price!

This beer is great! Deep golden brown body, thick head, malty aroma. Tastes pretty sweet and malty with just a kiss of hops. Crisp feel, easy going down. I definitely wanted another!

Serving type: on-tap

08-26-2011 03:58:50 | More by TheRealBigC

TheSevenDuffs

Ontario (Canada)

4/5  rDev -2.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Tasting notes from 7/26/11. On tap @ the Cleveland Airport.

A - Straw yellow with a small amount of white head.

S - Bready matls and a noticeable hop bite.

T - Bready malts with some sweetness complimented by a nice hop bite. Full flavoured and refreshing.

M - Light body. Medium carbonation.

O - A very good summer beer and one that I would order again without hesitation.

Serving type: on-tap

08-02-2011 13:45:26 | More by TheSevenDuffs

rfgetz

Pennsylvania

4.13/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a faintly hazed copper tinted gold, cap of creamy off-white head. Scent is of freshly dried and malted grain with a kiss of flowers and citrus zest. Taste begins with a lightly sweet, freshly dried and malted grain backed by a light kick of bitterness before ending with floral and citrus notes. Medium bodied, smooth, lightly creamy. A very nice beer, great freshness to the taste without being overly sweet.

Serving type: on-tap

07-18-2011 14:42:32 | More by rfgetz

BarryMFBurton

Indiana

3.83/5  rDev -6.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Cedar Point ROCKS! I love that place…even after driving six hours to get there. Any drive there is worth it, in my opinion. Anyway, after leaving from Indiana at 7:00 a.m. and staying until well after the park’s 10:00 p.m. closing time, I was ready for dinner and a brew. The group chose T.G.I. Friday’s (not my first choice, but I’m easy to please), and I got my first taste of Great Lakes. From what I’ve heard, it’s definitely one of the breweries to seek out in the area. I decided to take some notes, and this is what I came up with…

On-tap at T.G.I. Friday’s in Sandusky, OH, right outside of Cedar Point. Again, reviewed from notes.

A: Amber and shining; very lovely color. The head looks thin yet creamy, and some lace remains. Pretty bubbly from the bottom of the glass. Good look.

S: What a malty nose! Caramel comes in strong, and the banana, grape, and apple fruitiness is awesome. Hops are noticeable but just barely, showing floral hints in waves across the nose. Very agreeable, to say the least.

T: Malts are enormous out the gates with a bready, earthy sweetness. Some grainy fruits, though slightly stale, are evident. There’s a bit of hops in the back as the aftertaste, leaving it dry and refreshing. It doesn’t have an extremely high-quality taste, but it’s a nice drink.

M: Bubbly and crisp, giving it a fresh feel. It also helps to mask some of the palate’s less perfected flavors. It can be slightly thin, tasting amateur at times, but that’s the only thing I can detect that is bad.

O: This was a nice intro to Great Lakes. It has the soul of a bigger brew, but I feel like it’s trapped in the style’s smaller body. Good experience, though. I’ll definitely be looking for some other GL offerings while I’m in the area.

Serving type: on-tap

07-08-2011 14:47:39 | More by BarryMFBurton

Northsider

Illinois

4.22/5  rDev +2.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

I had this one on tap at a Holiday Inn bar near Cleveland.

A - Clear gold with a nice head

S - Smells bready/wheaty. Excellent smell on this one that leads right up to the taste...

T - I honestly can't remember exactly what it tasted like other than I absolutely LOVED the taste. I almost chugged this drink like apple juice. Great Lakes definitely knows where it's at!

M - Carbonated and crispy in my mouth

O - Excellent excellent excellent. I need to try more of this and more from Great Lakes!

Serving type: on-tap

05-05-2011 20:40:43 | More by Northsider

thagr81us

South Carolina

3.45/5  rDev -16.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Served from tap into a sampler tumbler. Poured golden yellow with a minimal white head. Maintained excellent lacing throughout the glass. The aroma was comprised of sweet malt, wheat, and banana. The flavor was of sweet malt, wheat, banana, and nutmeg. It had a light feel on the palate with mild carbonation. Overall this was a pretty nice and refreshing brew. The nutmeg aspect was a little palate invasive for me. It did have a decent flavor and aroma going on here, but nothing too memorable. I would suggest this to people to try it as it is worth it to do so at least once.

Serving type: on-tap

04-05-2011 18:02:02 | More by thagr81us

deebo

Minnesota

3.43/5  rDev -16.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A-Golden and clear with a tight foam

S-Malted barley with a wheat grainy aroma

T-Sweet, slightly fruity, just a touch of astringent hops-well balanced

M-Fairly heavy for the style-in a good way

D-Hopiness start to build halfway through beer. A very nice, flavorful beer that is a nice alternative to less flavorful lagers.

Serving type: on-tap

04-03-2011 21:30:01 | More by deebo

mdunman

Texas

4.13/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A: Gold with a nice big head and plenty of linger

S: Malt, lemon, sugar, hops

T: Maltiness early on is very pleasant and crisp, followed by a rush of perfectly balanced hops.

M: Light-medium body, good carbonation and a smooth finish

Very enjoyable beer. Not my favorite style, but still one of my top choices when I'm in Ohio. Very well balanced and always refreshing

Serving type: on-tap

03-27-2011 02:00:20 | More by mdunman

Murrdogg

Ohio

4.33/5  rDev +5.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

I had this at the GLBC brewery itself

A: light golden, almost rosy tint with a decent head of pure white

S: Sweet smell, reminiscent of champagne or grapes. Light floral hops

T: smooth and malty at first, rough after taste

M: feels almost frothy with the carbonation. hops make it feel rough

D: This is a good lager, very solid in it's taste and feel. Would be good in the summer, yet was fulfilling in the winter

Serving type: on-tap

02-15-2011 17:44:28 | More by Murrdogg

JM03

Ohio

3.93/5  rDev -4.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at the Blue Wolf Tavern in Boardman, Ohio.

Nice deep red color with a minimal white head. Looks very inviting.

Aromas of floral, malts.

Taste is a nice balance between the sweetness and bitterness. Very smooth going down with a somewhat sharp bitterness in the aftertaste.

Overall a very drinkable brew. I believe it is the first Dortmunder that i have had. I will definitely try it again.

Serving type: on-tap

01-17-2011 14:04:26 | More by JM03

BeerLover99

New Jersey

4.44/5  rDev +8%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

a- yellowish orange with a 1 inch head, mighty fine lacing

s- strong aroma, mild citrus, pine and bitterness.

t- malt with bitter after taste

m- medium body, smooth solid carbonation balance

d- great intro brew for MACRO lover, excellent
summer brew. Forgot how much I missed this brewery!!!

AMAZING; TREAT YOURSELF!

Serving type: on-tap

12-06-2010 03:30:02 | More by BeerLover99