German Ales: Altbier
Notes: The Altbier style is originally from the Dusseldorf area. The overall impression is clean, crisp and flavorful with a dry finish.
- Color: Copper to dark brown
- Clarity: Clear to slightly hazy. Chill haze should not be present
- Malt Profile: A variety of malts contributes to medium-low to medium malt aroma and flavor. Toast aroma typical of Munich malts should be present. Slight nuttiness is acceptable. Roast malt character should be present at low levels and well-integrated with the overall malt profile. Smoke character should not be present.
- Hop Profile: Low to medium with hop flavor more perceptible than aroma, with attributes typical of traditional German noble hops.
- Bitterness: Medium to high, producing a clean dry finish. Forty-plus IBU is typical for Altbiers originating in Dusseldorf.
- Fermentation: Fruity esters are absent to low, with attributes expressed subtly as citrus, pear, dark cherry or plum. A slight sulphur aroma is acceptable. Diacetyl should not be present.
- Body: Medium-low to medium.
- ABV: 4.6%-5.6%
- ABW: 3.6%-4.4%
- IBU: 25-52
- Color (SRM): 11-19
- Color (EBC): 22-38
- Original Gravity: 1.044-1.052
- Original Gravity °P: 11-12.9
- Final Gravity: 1.008-1.014
- Final Gravity °P: 2.1-3.6
Style info provided entirely or in part by the Brewers Association 2021 beer style guidelines.
9 Altbier Reviewed
| Beer | Brewery | Rate Avg. | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Ad Astra Ale | Free State Brewing Company | 8.12 |
|
Alt-Bier | Hangar 24 Craft Brewery | 8.52 |
|
Double Bag | Long Trail Brewing Company | 8.00 |
|
Gerst Amber | Yazoo Brewing Company | 8.06 |
|
Headless Man Amber Alt | Tyranena Brewing Company | 7.96 |
|
Iron Works ALT | Metropolitan Brewing | 8.23 |
|
Ishmael | Rising Tide Brewing Company | 8.30 |
|
Olde Number 22 | Arbor Brewing Company | 6.00 |
|
Scurry | Off Color Brewing | 8.06 |
Highest Rated In Style
- 8.52 Alt-Bier by Hangar 24 Craft Brewery
- 8.30 Ishmael by Rising Tide Brewing Company
- 8.23 Iron Works ALT by Metropolitan Brewing
- 8.12 Ad Astra Ale by Free State Brewing Company
- 8.06 Gerst Amber by Yazoo Brewing Company
- 8.06 Scurry by Off Color Brewing
- 8.00 Double Bag by Long Trail Brewing Company
- 7.96 Headless Man Amber Alt by Tyranena Brewing Company