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Buyer's Guide for Beer Lovers

Continental European Ales

To Quench and to Savor

Alt

Put simply, an altbier has the smoothness of a classic lager with the flavors of an ale. A more rigorous definition must take history into account. Ale brewing in Germany predates the now predominant lager production. As the lager process spread from Bohemia, some brewers retained the top-fermenting ale process but adopted the cold maturation associated with lager—hence the name “old beer” (alt means old in German). Altbier is associated with Düsseldorf, Munster and Hanover. This style of ale is light- to medium-bodied, less fruity, less yeasty, and has lower acidity than a traditional English ale. In the United States, some amber ales are actually in the alt style.

Interpreting the 100-point Scale

Consumers can translate the point score to the following quality bands:

Point Range Quality Band
96-100 points Platinum
90-95 points Gold
85-90 points Silver
80-84 points Bronze
Less than 80 Not Recommended
Legend
  • = Brewpub
  • ABV = Alcohol by volume
  • Date denotes the date on which the beer was tasted

93 Samuel Adams Boston Ale, The Boston Beer Co. (MA). 5.1% ABV (4/09)
Bright copper color. Gentle aromas of toast, orange soufflé and earthy hops follow through on a round, supple entry to a dryish medium-to-full body with hints of praline, cocoa and pepper. Finishes in a long, refreshing and balanced fade with great astringency. A spot-on domestic version of alt.

88 Tsuyama Draft, Tago Brewery Co. (Japan). 5% ABV (2/07)
Hazy amber color. Tangy cocoa and dried apricot aromas. A silky entry leads to a dryish medium body of golden raisins, dry caramel and toasted nut bread flavors. Finishes with a long, tangy citrus and caramel apple fade with dusty, earthy hops. A round and very tasty beer.

92 Maudite, Unibroue (Canada). 8% ABV (4/09)
Deep copper brown color with a rich blanket of bone foam. Aromas of crayon, toasted pumpernickel and dried citrus follow through on a rich entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium-full body with mashed raisin, orange fruit cake and spice notes. Finishes with a long, chewy, spiced apple and pear and mineral-accented fade. Tasty.

92 Matilda, Goose Island Brewing Co. (IL) 2009. 7% ABV (4/09)
Brilliant copper orange color with a blanket of foam. Sumptuous aromas of brioche, cocoa and toasted nuts follow through on a supple, satiny entry to a fruity-yet-dry medium-full body with a mélange of dried fruit, honey and delicate herb accents. Finishes with a long, round, decadent fade of fruit, spice, whole nuts and earth. Superb.

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