Dab Original 6Pk

DAB Original 6-Pack is a 5% ABV Dortmunder Export lager brewed in Dortmund, Germany, packaged as a convenient six-pack. Produced by Dortmunder Actien Brauerei — the brewery credited with originating the Dortmunder Export style — this is one of the few remaining links to a once-dominant German brewing tradition.

Quick Facts: ABV: 5%  |  Origin: Dortmund, Germany  |  Style: Dortmunder Export Lager  |  Brewery: Dortmunder Actien Brauerei (DAB), est. 1868

Production & Heritage

Dortmunder Actien Brauerei was founded in 1868 in the heart of Dortmund, a city that once rivaled Munich and Pilsen as one of Europe's great brewing capitals. DAB is the last remaining large brewery from the original Dortmund brewing region, having survived the consolidation that absorbed its local competitors into larger conglomerates. DAB Original is bottom-fermented in strict adherence to the Reinheitsgebot — the German Beer Purity Law of 1516 — using only water, malt, hops, and yeast. By 1879 the brewery was already exporting to four continents, and the Dortmunder Export style it pioneered went on to influence the broader development of modern lager brewing worldwide.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Pale lemon-gold in the glass with a gentle nose of light hops and clean malt. Faint honey sweetness rounds out the initial impression without any sharp or aggressive edges.

Taste: The entry is soft and medium-bodied, leading with subtle malt sweetness that transitions into light grassy hop notes at mid-palate. A gentle lemon-tinged bitterness emerges toward the peak, keeping the beer firmly balanced between sweetness and dryness. The texture is notably creamy for a lager at this strength.

Finish: Clean, dry, and moderate in length with lingering grain character and a whisper of herbal hops. The overall impression is crisp and refreshing without any cloying sweetness or harsh bitterness.

How to Drink DAB Original

DAB Original is best served cold — between 40–45°F (4–7°C) — straight from the bottle or poured into a tall Pilsner glass to showcase its pale gold color and fine carbonation. Its balanced, clean profile also makes it a versatile ingredient in beer cocktails.

• Shandy: DAB's subtle malt sweetness pairs naturally with fresh lemonade for a classic warm-weather refresher.
• Michelada: The dry, crisp body stands up well to lime juice, hot sauce, and Worcestershire without being overpowered.
• Black and Gold: Float a small measure of dark stout over DAB Original for a layered half-and-half that highlights the lager's lighter malt character.

Best For

• Introducing friends to traditional German lager styles beyond Pilsner
• Backyard cookouts and summertime grilling sessions
• Stocking a home bar with a reliable, sessionable import lager
• Pairing with a spread of German-style charcuterie and pretzels

Frequently Asked Questions

What does DAB Original taste like? DAB Original delivers a well-balanced combination of subtle malt sweetness, light grassy hops, and a gentle lemon-tinged bitterness. It has a creamy, medium-bodied texture with a clean, dry finish.

How does DAB Original compare to Great Lakes Dortmunder Gold? Both are brewed in the Dortmunder Export style, but DAB Original is the heritage German benchmark at 5% ABV while Great Lakes Dortmunder Gold is an American craft interpretation at 5.8% ABV with a slightly more assertive hop presence. DAB leans toward a softer, more understated malt balance, reflecting its Old World origins.

Is DAB Original good for beginners? Absolutely — its clean, balanced flavor profile and moderate 5% ABV make it an approachable entry point for anyone exploring imported German lagers. The absence of aggressive bitterness or heavy malt keeps it easy to drink.

Where is DAB Original made? DAB Original is brewed by Dortmunder Actien Brauerei in Dortmund, a city in the North Rhine-Westphalia region of western Germany. Dortmund was historically one of the largest beer-producing cities in continental Europe.

What foods pair well with DAB Original? Grilled bratwurst and German mustard complement the malt sweetness and dry finish. Soft pretzels with beer cheese mirror the lager's grainy backbone. Grilled chicken or fish tacos work well thanks to the beer's gentle bitterness and crisp carbonation. Mild semi-firm cheeses like Gouda or Emmental echo its subtle honey notes.

What sizes does DAB Original come in? DAB Original is commonly available in this six-pack format as well as single bottles and 500ml cans, though availability varies by market.

Is DAB Original worth the price? DAB Original positions as a value-tier German import lager, delivering authentic Reinheitsgebot-compliant brewing at a price point that competes directly with domestic mainstream lagers — making it strong value for a genuine European export.

Why DAB Original?

DAB Original is not simply another pale lager on the shelf — it represents the surviving standard-bearer of the Dortmunder Export style, brewed by the very house that originated the category over 150 years ago. The brewery's strict adherence to the Reinheitsgebot ensures a purity of ingredients that translates directly into the beer's clean, balanced character. In a market saturated with pale lagers that prioritize cost-cutting over tradition, DAB remains a credible link to Germany's golden age of industrial brewing. For drinkers seeking an honest, sessionable import lager with genuine historical pedigree, this six-pack delivers exactly that.