Morganton, NC — An oft-forgotten style, the Dortmunder Export is a classic European pale lager. First brewed in Dortmund, Germany in 1873, this blue-collar beer was a direct response to the growing popularity of the Bohemian Pilsner. The new lager quickly gained a following among industrial workers, as the local dark wheat ale fell out of favor. In the process, it helped establish Dortmund as an early commercial brewing center, led by Dortmunder Union, Germany’s largest brewery.
Catawba’s Small Batch Dortmunder Export Lager (6.0 percent ABV) is a faithful rendition of the style, brewed with Old World ingredients, slow-fermented at cool temperatures. A bit higher in ABV (“Export strength”) than the Pilsner, the styles share a distinctive clean, crisp character, with a soft, rounded mouthfeel. The biscuit notes of the German malts are balanced by Noble hops, lending a dry, lightly herbal finish.
Dortmunder Export Lager is Passport Beer #23 in Catawba’s 2017 Small Batch rewards program. Brewed in their Asheville South Slope brewhouse, the beer will be available in Catawba’s Asheville and Morganton tasting rooms on Thursday, June 8. Look for it to arrive in their Charlotte tasting room and in limited distribution by Tuesday, June 13.
Note: A portion of proceeds from this beer will benefit Pints for Pirouettes, a fundraising initiative of the Asheville Area Arts Council for the local dance community. The Terpsicorps Theatre of Dance will perform at Catawba’s South Slope location on the release day at 7:30pm.
About Catawba Brewing Company
Founded in 1999 by the Pyatt family, natives of Western North Carolina, Catawba Brewing operates a main production facility in downtown Morganton, NC at 212 S. Green St; a boutique brewery/tasting room in downtown Asheville, NC at 32 Banks Ave; a tasting room in Asheville’s Biltmore Village at 63 Brook St.; and a new Catawba brewery/tasting room in Charlotte’s Plaza Midwood neighborhood at 933 Louise Ave. Catawba beers can be found in NC, SC, TN, AL, and now in GA. Find us at www.catawbabrewing.com