You might have heard recently about Dortmunder beer being released in a number of venues in and around Seattle. In fact, this beverage is getting more and more popular as beer brewers and drinkers start to enjoy the light-bodied lager from Germany. The drink is named after the city of Dortmund, where it was first created by breweries such as DAB and Kronen.
Originally, industrial workers were the target audience for the drink. But even today, the Germans local to that region love to head to their favorite brewery for a glass of this classic beverage. Today, let's have a look at what exactly it is and why we have decided to offer it at our taproom.
What Is a Dortmunder?
As mentioned, the term describes a certain kind of beer that comes from the Dortmund region of Germany. This city, with a population of a little over half a million, lies in the North Rhine-Westphalia region, which is in the northwestern part of the country. Since its creation around 150 years ago, the beer has enjoyed great popularity among Germans as well as people all around the world.
Here in the US, it is now being served in many different locations, and some breweries have even started to produce their own versions. Many people enjoy their beverage with a bready dish such as pretzels. Over the years, Dortmund beer has slowly but surely become a fan favorite in the local beer scene, and it continues to draw in more and more fans. With its great taste and fascinating history, what's not to love about this German beer?
The Taste
Most people would say that the taste of this beverage mirrors the crispness and lightness of a Helles, but with a stronger, more malty taste and a higher ABV. Generally, the ABV is somewhere between 5% and 6%, and ours at Lowercase Brewing is 5.7%. You can also compare Dortmund beer to a pilsner, but it's not as hoppy and a bit more full-bodied.
In the area of Dortmund, the water contains more sulfates than in other regions of the world, so many brewers believe that this affects the taste of the original version. While we try to keep our beer as close to the German model to provide you with an authentic experience, we do put our own creative spin on it, adapting it to American tastes.
The History
Many German beers have a great history, and this one is no exception. It was first created around 1868, when the DAB brewery was set up in the city of Dortmund. Over the next few years, it quickly became a favorite with the locals, and within a decade, the company was exploring other regions and even other countries such as India and Japan.
By the late 19th century, the company was using refrigerators, which were revolutionary at the time. This allowed them to expand even faster and produce more beers than many of their competitors, thus putting them on the map and establishing their presence worldwide. By the early 20th century, before the first world war, they were producing 250,000 hectoliters of beer every year, which was an impressive quantity at that time.
Surviving in the 20th Century and Beyond
While DAB survived the first World War without many problems, Dortmund was almost completely destroyed in the second World War, and the brewery had to be rebuilt and resume operations after it was over. They did so successfully, and have since been able to modernize their operations further and stay in business in a changing environment.
Even today, DAB still operates in the local area and exports beer to a number of countries. They took over another large beer-brewing company called Kronen in the 90s and have now merged with one of the biggest brewery groups in Germany, Radeberger Group. The company now produces a number of different beers and variations of the traditional Dortmund-style beverage, but in America, the original is still the most popular and common option.
How Is It Made and Served?
The production process and the final result is influenced by the pilsner, which is made in the nearby Pilsen area of Germany. Both beers were originally designed for industrial workers, who would have enjoyed them in a local tavern after a long day. We always use pure malt, hops such as those from Hallertau, and water to produce Dortmund beer.
To enjoy maximum flavor and taste, your beer should be served at around 44.5 to 47.5 degrees Fahrenheit. For the best effect, you might have it in a flute glass, but it will taste just as nice in a stein or a tankard.
What Can I Pair it With?
When you come to the brewery, you might wonder what goes well with your Dortmunder and what types of food you should pair it with. Fortunately, there are a number of options that work well. Anything bready generally works optimally because these types of dishes match the flavor of this beer. Try to go for salty and tangy tastes that complement the malty sweetness of your beverage.
You can start with some of our complimentary popcorn, which is offered with any drink you order from us. If you'd like to go for something more substantial, we also have a Pretzel Board with two soft pretzels, homemade beer cheese, and some optional Hengstenberg mustard. Pairing this with your beer will provide you with a true, authentic German experience.
Where to Enjoy Your Favorite Beer
Now that you know what to expect from Dortmund beer and what you can eat with it, you might wonder where you can best enjoy it. We always recommend that you come to our taproom and stay for a while to enjoy our creations. Not only do we offer a great atmosphere and a delicious menu featuring complimentary popcorn, but we are also an incredibly inclusive community, welcoming people from a wide variety of backgrounds.
We are happy to serve you no matter who you are. In fact, our taproom is both child- and dog-friendly, so you can stop by and spend an afternoon here with the entire family. What's more, there is a heated patio, which allows you to enjoy your beverage and meal outside for most of the year. Don't hesitate to stop by, and if you're in a rush, you can choose to take home some of our beers or even order them online.
Come Try It!
The Dortmunder is a favorite of many beer drinkers because of its balanced taste and crispness. In fact, it has gained more and more popularity since being introduced to an American audience by local breweries. Dortmund beer is the perfect beverage to enjoy while sitting in the sun and having a hearty, German-style meal consisting of pretzels and cheese.
Call us or message us now at Lowercase Brewing to find out more about what we currently offer and how you can take advantage of our taproom. No matter the size of your party, we will be thrilled to welcome you to the brewery and show you around. You can try one of our thirteen beers on tap and our delicious snacks or one of our full-blown meals. Children and people who don't drink are welcome because we have several nonalcoholic options.
Follow our Beer Blog for more posts like this!