Tracker Pixel for Entry

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.

Recently in:

By Alicia Underlee Nelsonalicia@hpr1.comArea children ages 10 and over are invited to join the Fargo-Moorhead Science Museum to explore how rivers work at two Fargo Public Library locations this summer. Stream Table Workshops will…

Back-to-school season is on the horizon, but there's still plenty of summer left. Check out our favorite August attractions and events in North Dakota and western Minnesota. And if if you missed them, here are a few excellent May…

Friday, July 25, doors at 8:30 p.m.Aquarium above Dempsey’s, 226 N. Broadway, Fargo"This is what you need to know about Daikaiju,” said Kelly Weidman. “They're loud. They're all instrumental (duh). And they're the band to see…

By Sabrina Hornungsabrina@hpr1.com On July fourth, Nathan's Famous International Hot Dog Eating Contest took place at Coney Island. The winners, Joey Chestnut and Miki Sudo, reigned victorious. Chestnut earned his 17th title by…

By Ed Raymond fargogadfly@gmail.comThere might be room for Trump on Mount Rushmore after allDuring King Donald’s first term he told Kristi Noem, then a congresswoman and now his secretary of homeland security, his dream was to be…

By Rick Gionrickgion@gmail.com Holiday wine shopping shouldn’t have to be complicated. But unfortunately it can cause unneeded anxiety due to an overabundance of choices. Don’t fret my friends, we once again have you covered…

By Rick Gion and Simone Wairickgion@gmail.com The Red River Market returned to downtown Fargo on Saturday, July 12. The event will take place every Saturday except July 19. (That date will be moved to Sunday, July 20, due to the…

By Alicia Underlee Nelsonalicia@hpr1.comThe Moorhead Public Library will offer three free, all-ages outdoor concerts featuring regional bands this summer. The series begins on June 12 with the Meat Rabbits, a group that blends…

By Greg Carlsongregcarlson1@gmail.comAri Aster’s political satire “Eddington” premiered in competition for the Palme d’Or at Cannes in May, where Jafar Panahi’s “It Was Just an Accident” received the prize. A…

Press ReleaseTouchmark at Harwood Groves will host a special artist reception featuring renowned glass artist Jon Offutt on Tuesday, July 29, at 2:00 p.m. in the community’s auditorium. The event celebrates Offutt’s temporary…

By John Showalterjohn.d.showalter@gmail.comPhoto by Yvonne Denault There is something intimate and personal about plays. Even in our age of multimillion dollar Hollywood productions and droves of streaming services, watching actors…

By Annie Prafckeannieprafcke@gmail.com AUSTIN, Texas – As a Chinese-American, connecting to my culture through food is essential, and no dish brings me back to my mother’s kitchen quite like hotdish. Yes, you heard me right –…

By Sabrina Hornungsabrina@hpr1.comNew Jamestown Brewery Serves up Local FlavorThere’s something delicious brewing out here on the prairie and it just so happens to be the newest brewery west of the Red River and east of the…

The drug that keeps re-purposing itselfBy Ellie Liveranieli.liverani.ra@gmail.com There is a drug that is getting a lot of attention nowadays all over the world. It has various commercial names (Ozempic, Wegovy and Rybelsus), but…

By Alicia Underlee NelsonProtests against President Trump’s policies and the cuts made by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) are planned across North Dakota and western Minnesota Friday, April 4 and…

By Vern Thompsonvern.thompson@rocketmail.com Working in the Bakken oil fields of the Williston Basin is so different from my home in Fargo. I'm not judging, because the people working and living in western North Dakota are very…