Dortmunder Export

Dortmunder Export is a clean, balanced pale lager brewed slightly stronger than pilsner, with more malt presence and moderate bitterness. Compared with pilsner, it is rounder and more export-strength oriented than sharply bitter.

Defined by export strength and a more rounded malt balance while retaining clean lager character.

Also known as: Dortmunder Export; Export Lager
Family: Hoppy & Bright Lagers - Lager-style beers with crisp bitterness and clean hop flavour
Variant of Pale Lager - Within the Clean Fermentation Beers, defined by clean lager fermentation with restrained yeast expression and structural balance.
Variant influence: Increased original gravity and slightly firmer mineral balance enhance malt structure and body while preserving clean fermentation and moderate bitterness.
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ABV, IBU and colour

This section summarises the typical alcohol strength, bitterness level and colour range of Dortmunder Export within the GBI model.

ABV: 6,0%
IBU: 34
Colour: 5,0 SRM / 9,9 EBC

Taste profile

The sensory profile below shows the typical intensity range of the 15 core flavour dimensions.

Colour:
Pale yellow Gold
Clarity:
Brilliant Clear
Aroma – Malt:
Medium
Aroma – Hop:
Low Medium
Aroma – Yeast:
Low
Aroma – Special:
None Low
Sweetness:
Low Medium
Sourness:
None Low
Bitterness:
Medium
Body:
Medium
Astringency:
Low Medium
Carbonation:
Medium High
Alcohol Strength:
Medium
Finish Length:
Medium
Oxidation:
None Low

Smooth, clean, and balanced with a gentle malt fullness, moderate bitterness, and a crisp lager finish.

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What gives Dortmunder Export its character

These structural drivers help shape its characteristic sensory profile.

  • Filtration removes suspended material and produces a very bright appearance.
  • Early-boil-focused hopping strongly increases IBU and perceived bitterness and can lengthen the bitter finish.
  • Pilsner malt provides a pale grain base with relatively restrained malt aroma.
  • High attenuation converts more fermentable extract, tending to reduce residual sweetness and body while supporting alcohol formation and a drier finish.
  • Moderate grist intensity provides more extract, supporting somewhat higher gravity, body and alcohol strength.

History

Originated in Dortmund as an export-strength lager emphasizing balance, stability, and drinkability.

How Dortmunder Export compares to other beer styles

This comparison shows meaningful differences in sensory ranges and style character based on the GBI data.

Dortmunder Export vs Helles

Compared with Helles, Dortmunder Export has:

  • a darker color

Other differences:

  • The malt aroma range of Helles extends to lower intensities.
  • The hop aroma range of Dortmunder Export extends to higher intensities.
  • Dortmunder Export can be sweeter.
  • Helles can be less bitter.
  • Helles can have a lighter body.
  • Helles can have a milder alcohol impression.
  • Helles can have a shorter finish.
  • Helles has floral hop notes; both styles have noble hop notes.
  • Dortmunder Export has grainy malt notes, while Helles has honey-like malt notes; both styles have bready malt notes.

Dortmunder Export vs German Pilsner

Compared with German Pilsner, Dortmunder Export has:

  • a darker color

Other differences:

  • The malt aroma range of German Pilsner extends to lower intensities.
  • German Pilsner can be more bitter.
  • German Pilsner can have a lighter body.
  • German Pilsner can have a milder alcohol impression.
  • German Pilsner can have a shorter finish.
  • German Pilsner has floral and spicy hop notes; both styles have noble hop notes.

Compare Dortmunder Export with another beer style

Choose any GBI beer style to compare sensory ranges and style character.

Want to explore the underlying data in more detail? Compare styles in the GBI Explorer →

Related styles

Other variants within the same style group as Dortmunder Export.

Best food pairings for Dortmunder Export

These food pairings complement the dominant sensory traits of Dortmunder Export.

  • Schnitzel
  • Roast chicken
  • Mild sausages

Service & Aging

Practical guidance for serving and handling Dortmunder Export.

Serving notes
Serve cold · Avoid agitation to preserve carbonation and clarity
Pouring technique
Steady pour to build a compact head while preserving clarity
Aging potential
Best fresh · Stability is good but hop brightness fades with time
Common faults
Oxidation · Dull malt · Overly sharp bitterness
Style details
  • Origin: Germany — Originating from German brewing traditions.
  • Glassware: Willibecher — German-style tumbler glass used for many lagers and ales, offering balanced aroma and drinkability.
    Stein — Traditional German stein or maßkrug for festbiers and classic lagers; emphasizes volume and fest service.
    Pilsner Glass — Tall, slender pilsner glass that accentuates clarity, carbonation, and hop brightness.
  • Serving: Draft — Served on draft.
  • Conditioning: Tank-conditioned — Conditioned in stainless or lagering tank.
  • Aging vessel: Stainless — Aged or matured in stainless steel.
  • Packaging: Keg — Packaged in keg.

Commercial examples of Dortmunder Export

The following commercial examples illustrate widely recognised expressions of Dortmunder Export in the market.

  • DAB Dortmunder Export
  • Dortmunder Actien
  • Union Dortmunder

Dortmunder Export – Competition winners and medalists

Medal winners for Dortmunder Export from major beer competitions. Categories follow each competition's official classification and may include stylistically adjacent interpretations.

2025 competition results

European Beer Star 2025

German-style Export

  • Gold – Fohrenburger Jubiläum – Brauerei Fohrenburg , Austria
  • Silver – Graf Arco Export Hell – Gräfliche Brauerei Arco-Valley , Germany
  • Bronze – Schlappeseppel Export – Eder & Heylands Brauerei , Germany

Source: European Beer Star ( official website )

2024 competition results 3 medalists

European Beer Star 2024

German-style Export

  • Gold – Egger Wälder – Brauerei Egg Simma , Austria
  • Silver – Kaiser Export 1881 – Kaiser Brauerei , Germany
  • Bronze – Fohrenburger Jubiläum – Brauerei Fohrenburg , Austria

Source: European Beer Star ( official website )

2023 competition results 3 medalists

European Beer Star 2023

German-style Export

  • Gold – Original Landbier 1857 – Bayreuther Bierbrauerei AG , Germany
  • Silver – Ladenburger Halbe – Brauerei Ladenburger , Germany
  • Bronze – Fohrenburger Jubiläum – Brauerei Fohrenburg , Austria

Source: European Beer Star ( official website )

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