Originally from the Düsseldorf area of Germany, the German-Style Altbier strikes a balance between hop and malt flavors and aromas, but can have low fruity esters and some peppery and floral hop aromas. Before Germany had lager beer, it had ales. Alt, meaning “old,” pays homage to one rebel region in Germany which did not lean into lagering. U.S. producers celebrate the ale revolution beautifully with this top-fermented German beer style.
German-Style Altbier
Category: Hybrid Beers
Food Pairings
- Grilled Salmon
- Emmental
- Apple Pie
Commercial Examples
- Deep Roots, Red Cypress Brewery
- Little Red Cap, Grimm Brothers Brewhouse
- Alt, Southampton Public House
Appearance
Color
Copper to Dark Brown
Clarity
Brilliant
Carbonation (Visual)
Medium to Fast Rising Bubbles
Flavor/Aroma
Alcohol
Not Detectable to Mild
Hop
Hop flavor is low to medium. Hop bitterness is medium to very high (although the 25 to 35 IBU range is more normal for the majority of Altbiers from Düsseldorf)
Malt
Sweet malt character that may have a rich, biscuity, and/or light caramel flavor
Esters
Fruity-ester flavors, if present, can be low
Phenols
Not common to style
Sensations
Body
Soft
Carbonation
Medium to High
Finish Length
Short
Attenuation
Medium - High
Ingredients
Hops
Spalt, Magnum, Tettnang
Malt
Pilsner, Munich, CaraMunich, Carafa Special II, Aromatic
Water
Moderate carbonate water
Yeast
Ale
