First Love Dortmund Bee

First Love Dortmund is a four-pack of cans from Massachusetts, brewed in the Dortmunder style, sometimes called Dortmunder Export. The style sits between a Helles and a German pilsner: a pale gold lager with a fuller malt body than a pilsner and more hop bite than a Helles. The listing doesn't give an ABV or IBU, so treat these as the style's typical figures rather than this beer's measurements. Dortmunders usually land around 5 to 6 percent ABV with bitterness in the low to mid 20s IBU. Expect a bready, lightly sweet malt character, with a note of cracker or soft grain, backed by a firm, clean hop presence in the herbal and floral range associated with noble hops. The finish in this style is typically dry and slightly mineral, which keeps the malt from feeling heavy and makes the beer easy to drink in volume without being thin. There's no fruit or spice to look for here; the appeal is in balance and clarity. Serve it cold but not frozen, around 40 to 45°F, so the malt sweetness and hop aroma stay readable. Pour into a tall, straight-sided glass such as a pilsner glass or a stange, and let a finger or two of white foam form, which helps release the hop aroma. A standard pint glass works fine, and drinking from a can is reasonable for outdoor use. At the table, a Dortmunder suits foods with some richness and salt: bratwurst and other grilled sausages, schnitzel, roast chicken, soft pretzels with mustard, and mild cheeses such as Havarti or young Gouda. The carbonation and dry finish also cut through fried fish and potato dishes.