Dominion Lager

[steveh]

Old Dominion Brewing, Virginia
12 oz Bottle, 5.4 ABV - Bottled 9.25.03 (please note the correction to the Dominion Ale review)

This beer poured a hazy golden color with a good white head that settled to a thin, persistent cap that lasted through the drink.

Diacetyl and oaty malts apparent in nose, along with sharp Tettnang/Saaz hop notes.

Initial taste was tangy to lemon sour in flavor, followed by smooth barley malt with cracker notes. I'm attributing the sour tang to Tettnang hops, which lingers into the aftertaste.

Body of the beer was thin - nearing medium due to a smooth, slightly sweet maltiness.

An interesting beer. Though the sourness in the initial flavor notes is a bit distracting, the malt follow through is quite nice. Old Dominion won a gold medal at the GABF in '97 for the best German Dortmunder/Export style beer, and while a more interesting beer than Beck's or DAB, the O.D. isn't quite as pleasing as a Munich Helles.

Again, the brewers at O.D. have a long list of hops used in this beer - they must have a great deal with their supplier - Perle, American Halllertauer, Tettnang, German Hallertauer, and Saaz. I'm not sure that the use and mix of so many varieties is such a good procedure in a beer that is supposed to be as clean and smooth as a German lager. I'd be interested to try this beer on draft, and I also wonder if I'd become more accustomed (tolerant?) to some of the different flavor blends if the lager were more readily available in my area.

S.

[chazwicke]

Dominion Lager is a very prevalent mainstay on draught in our area. It is essentially a "put your name here" beer for any local restraunt that wants thier own beer. I think it is a fine lager although it is hardly ever my first choice. I guess because it is so readily available it sometimes gets taken for granted. Old Dominion makes a good range of beers and there is usually some seasonal or specialty brew that I end up trying. Again, all that said, The lager is a fine beer and at one time was my regular session beer.

[MeridianFC]

It's amazing how much mileage I'm able to get out of one brewery tour! When I was out there the other day, I asked if they did a full decoction mash for the lager brew (they do) and noted that at various times in the past I had noticed more malt and, dare I say it, some of that melanoidin taste (though at the time I think I said typical Munich malt taste). He seemed to know what I was talking about and I get the feeling the recipe is not as static as one might surmise.

I agree with Chaz, I too often take the Dominion products, certainly the ale and lager, for granted but they really are fine beers. If they were as common as Bud around the metro area the world would be a better place.

[pastout]

Man Steve, I really enjoy reading your reviews....makes me thirsty. Somebody quick...Toss me a cold one!!!

[steveh]

Originally posted by chazwicke
The lager is a fine beer and at one time was my regular session beer.

Chaz, is that "sour" flavor at first taste consistent with this brew - or do you think it just didn't travel cross-country well?

Meridian, the bottle I sampled had no melanoidin flavor - unfortunately pretty consistent with Dortmunder style beers - though I've noticed more of it in Beck's lately.

Past, thanks for the kind words - sadly, I still have about 5 hours of work left...however, there's a Taddy Porter waiting for me at home! :)

S.