Скачать или смотреть Paderborner vs Dominikaner | German Convenience Store Beers

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On the autobahn between Frankfurt and Munich, I stopped to get fuel. I checked out the beers in the convenience store and bought these two beers. I tested them in my hotel in Freising.

Paderborner Pilsener (BA score 77) is a bottom-fermented German pilsner brewed by Paderborner Brauerei Haus Cramer GmbH & Co. KG, located in Paderborn, North Rhine-Westphalia. The brewery was founded in 1852 and has been part of the Warsteiner Group since 1990, which expanded its reach while maintaining regional identity. The beer is brewed with soft brewing water, selected barley malts, hop extract, and bottom-fermenting yeast. It has an alcohol content of 4.8% ABV and an original gravity of 11.2° Plato, though its IBU is not officially listed, it’s described as having “classical bitterness”. In terms of sensory profile, Paderborner Pilsener pours a clear golden-yellow with a fine-pored white head. The aroma leans toward grainy malt, herbal hops, and subtle floral notes, occasionally with hints of honey or corn depending on freshness. The flavor is crisp and clean, with a mild malt sweetness, bready undertones, and a dry, bitter finish. Some reviews note a slightly watery mouthfeel, consistent with its budget positioning, but it remains a drinkable and refreshing pilsner. It’s widely available in Germany, particularly in supermarkets and discount chains, and has been spotted in Lidl stores in other European countries.

Dominikaner Pilsener (BA score 78) is brewed by Holsten-Brauerei, a historic brewery based in Hamburg, Germany, founded in 1879. Holsten is now part of the Carlsberg Group, which acquired the brewery in the early 2000s. Dominikaner Pilsener is marketed as a value-oriented German pilsner, often found in gas stations, convenience stores, and discount retailers across Germany and parts of Europe. It has an ABV of 4.8%, but like Paderborner, its IBU is not officially published. The beer pours a clear golden color with a modest white head and average retention. Its aroma is dominated by grainy and bready malts, with faint floral or grassy hop notes. Some tasters report metallic or cardboard-like undertones, likely due to packaging or storage conditions. The flavor is mildly sweet with a grain-forward profile, and a moderate bitterness that provides balance. The mouthfeel is light to medium-bodied with low carbonation, and the finish is semi-dry. While not a standout in the pilsner category, Dominikaner is considered a functional session beer, especially for budget-conscious consumers. Neither beer discloses the use of adjuncts, syrups, or oils, though Paderborner explicitly uses hop extract rather than whole hops. Dominikaner’s ingredient list is not publicly detailed, but based on its style and reviews, it likely follows a standard pilsner recipe with barley malt, hops, water, and yeast, possibly with extract-based hopping. Both beers reflect the mass-market segment of German pilsners, offering affordability and accessibility over artisanal complexity. Paderborner benefits from Warsteiner’s distribution network, while Dominikaner rides on Holsten’s legacy and Carlsberg’s reach. They are commonly available in Germany, and occasionally exported to neighboring European countries, with sporadic appearances in North American import shops.