Simply mellow

Beer Snob | May 25th, 2016

By Ben Rodgers

Dorothy’s New World Lager is the flagship brew of the Toppling Goliath Brewing Company, based in Decorah, Iowa. It’s a small town with fewer than 9,000 people calling it home, which is why Toppling Goliath is considered one of this northeast Iowa town’s main attractions.

The other being Luther College, the site of a 1998 Dave Matthews and Tim Reynolds live album.

But Matthews doesn’t seem right for this lager, which has been compared to Yuengling. No, an easy drinking beer needs an easy listening album. Which is why it will be paired with JJ Cale’s, “5.”

Cale isn’t a household name, but chances are you’ve heard his music. Eric Clapton, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Johnny Cash, John Mayer, Santana, Beck and Widespread Panic are a few of the musicians to have played his songs.

Toppling Goliath was started in 2009 and quickly became a regional favorite. Just as Cale’s music was enjoyed enough to be covered by many famous musicians, every beer from this brewery comes with a reputation of greatness.

Let’s see how Dorothy’s holds up when coupled with “5.”

Dorothy’s starts clean, and finishes crisp, it’s the execution of a near-perfect lager.

One track in and it’s easy to understand why Cale’s music is coveted by so many. The music is bluesy, but not with a rough delta or Chicago style sound. It’s called the Tulsa Sound, a combination of rockabilly, blues, country and rock n roll. It’s slick and welcoming at the same time.

Dorothy’s is bliss in a can. It’s better than Yuengling in so much that the initial taste is clean and fresh like spring water. It’s just beer, delicious, and not dressed up with fruit or hops.

Cale is similar on this album, his Tulsa Sound style brings back memories of Clapton. But he doesn’t blow you away with fancy solos. Just a crisp, bluesy sound. The two seem made for each other.

Dorothy’s is considered a California Common style lager, otherwise known as a steam beer. Simply put, it’s brewed differently and produces a distinct taste, which in this case is perfection.

For the last track on the A-side, “Sensitive Kind,” Cale is using more than before on this album, but has produced an even more laid-back sound. Most of the songs on “5” contain a guitar, bass and drums. This song also employs piano, vibes, congas, horns and strings. It’s Tulsa all dressed up but just as mellow.

Dorothy’s boasts a high drinkability. At 5.5 ABV(alcohol by volume) and 11 IUB (international bittering units), it’s nothing fancy, just easy going. The B-side opens with “Friday” in which Cale pines for Friday evening to finally come so he can have some fun. Cale would have enjoyed the simple taste of Dorothy’s, “Friday” proves it.

Halfway through my drink and Dorothy’s starts to offer a distinct taste at the end -- refreshed.

Cale is finally playing some more traditional blues with the song “Lou-Easy-Ann.” While his solos aren’t outstanding they are very solid and lend to the entire laid-back vibe “5” is going for.

Both Dorothy’s and “5” are uniquely at peace being just what they are. Dorothy’s is a delicious lager, but still just a lager, it doesn’t shatter expectations in the unique department. “5” is a very mellow blues album and also holds no surprises. The sound remains generally the same throughout, but sometimes being simple is the best part of life.

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