Dortmunder

Dortmunder beer is a style of light lager brewed in the city of Dortmund, in the Ruhr valley region of Germany. The flavor characteristics of Dortmunder, including its most famous variant, Dortmunder Export, are strongly influenced by Dortmund's distinctive water profile.

History of Dortmunder

Until the nineteenth century, Dortmunder breweries traditionally brewed primarily Adambier, a strong, dark beer that was aged for long periods. In 1873, as a response to the popularity of the golden, lager-brewed Pilsner beers and their imitators, several local breweries grouped together under the name Dortmunder Union to produce their own pale lager, under the guidance of brewmaster Fritz Brinkhoff. These beers supplanted the indigenous style, which is now extinct in Germany.

Types of Dortmunder

The Dortmunder Union brewery originally brewed two varieties of lager, Dortmunder Lagerbier, a Pilsner-style brew, and the stronger Dortmunder Export. The weaker version proved less popular and was eventually dropped, and Dortmunder is now for practical purposes synonymous with the Dortmunder Export style.

Brewing Dortmunder

Because the flavor of this light style is so dependent on Dortmund's water profile, this is a style where water adjustments are probably more helpful than most. The ingredients and brewing techniques are otherwise similar to Pilsner. However, recipes should emphasize malt over hops, and the wort should have a slightly higher original gravity than a Pilsner.

Competition Styles

BJCP Style Guidelines

GABF Style Listings