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DAB Dortmunder Lager

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DAB Dortmunder Lager is the brewery's international flagship, sold abroad for years as DAB Original or DAB Export. DAB tells how its early brew for overseas customers was made stronger and hoppier for the long voyage and how drinkers came to prefer it that way, laying the ground for the Dortmunder Export style. It pours a clear, pale gold with a mild malt body, light hops and a soft, rounded finish; tasters add bready, slightly sweet malt, faint grassy hops and a clean, moderate bitterness.

ABV
5%
Bitterness
Lightly bitter23 IBU
Malt-forward bitterness
SRM
golden5
PaceSession

AWARDS

Bronze · 2023
World Beer Awards
Silver · 2024
World Beer Awards
★Bronze — World Beer Awards
★Silver — World Beer Awards
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
Balance
malt-forwardhop-forward
What makes this beer itself
breadymaltyclean
bready
malty
clean
hoppy
grassy
Aroma
The nose opens with clean, lightly toasted malt notes that carry subtle bread-like warmth.
not found:juicy,caramel,fruity,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for DAB Dortmunder Lager

◎ Appearance

DAB Dortmunder Lager presents a clear, pale gold hue with excellent transparency. The head forms with moderate density and exhibits fine, persistent lacing that clings to the glass walls. Carbonation is evident and steady throughout the pour.

pale goldcrystal clearfine lacingwell-carbonated

◌ Aroma

The nose opens with clean, lightly toasted malt notes that carry subtle bread-like warmth. Noble hop character emerges as a faint, grassy undertone without aggression. A whisper of mineral character and restraint overall—this is an unobtrusive, inviting bouquet designed for balance rather than complexity.

toasted maltgrassy hopsbread notesmineral undertone

◐ Taste

Entry is crisp and malty, with a soft, slightly sweet malt body that avoids heaviness. Mid-palate develops a moderate bitterness paired with dry undertones, creating tension without harshness. The overall impression is one of clean, well-resolved balance—hops and malt sit equally, neither commanding the palate.

crisp entrysoft malt bodymoderate bitternessdry finish

◑ Finish

The finish is rounded and soft, ending dry with lingering malt sweetness that fades cleanly. Aftertaste remains mineral and crisp, leaving no harsh residue or excessive hop bite.

soft finishclean fademineral aftertaste
78
hopIQ score
Aroma
74
Taste
78
Appearance
82
Finish
76
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Serve & Enjoy

How to get the most out of DAB Dortmunder Lager

Serve at 4–7°C
Refrigerate, then rest 2 min

Serve at 4–7°C for the best flavour balance and aroma expression.

Pint glass
Recommended for this style

The classic — versatile, comfortable to hold and keeps the beer cool. No frills, no distractions: just the beer.

Store in a cool, dark place. Check the best-before date on the label for guidance.

Food Pairing

What to eat with DAB Dortmunder Lager

About Dortmunder Export

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Dortmunder Export?

Dortmunder Export is a distinctive beer style with its own characteristic flavour, aroma and colour. Discover what makes it unique and find similar beers on hopIQ.

Finding a similar Dortmunder Export

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same bready, malty, smooth character as DAB Dortmunder Lager will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

Other Dortmunder Exports in hopIQ

Compare with another beer →Explore all Dortmunder Export beers in hopIQ →Browse Germany beers →