What is a Dusseldorf Altbier?

Altbier (German: old beer) is a style of beer brewed in the Rhineland, especially around the city of Düsseldorf, Germany. It is a copper coloured, fruity, clean and crisp tasting, lighter-bodied beer. Its name comes from it being top-fermented, an older method than the bottom fermentation of lager beers.

What is a German-style Altbier?

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. Alt, meaning “old,” pays homage to one rebel region in Germany which did not lean into lagering.

What is the best altbier?

Top Rated Beers: Altbier

What is Sticke Altbier?

Sticke Bier is a name broadly given to a special version of top-fermented Dusseldorf-style altbier, generally described as being higher in alcohol and more assertive in character than the traditional version. Alcohol by volume may range from 5.5% to 6.0% compared with a more standard 5.0% in the “everyday” altbiers.

How strong is Altbier?

Both versions of the Altbier weigh in at 4.5 to 5.2% ABV so it’s sessionable, unless it’s the bigger Sticke (pronounced shtick-uh – German for secret) or Double Alt variety. While some Altbiers are only made in the winter and spring months, many are made year-round due to its moderate qualities.

How is Altbier brewed?

Altbier is a unique beer style because it requires an unorthodox, “cool” fermentation by a specialty yeast that works best in a temperature range between 13°C and 19°C (55°F and 66°F).

Is Altbier bitter?

Authentic Alts have assertive bitterness ranging from 25 to 50 IBU, but have only minimal, if any, hop flavor or aroma.

Is Altbier a lager or ale?

Altbier, however, is not purely an ale, nor is it a lager. It is a hybrid. It’s made with the pale malts and Saaz hops of a classic German Pilsner, plus some darker roasted grains; then it employs an aggressive, top-fermenting ale yeast that attenuates the wort completely to reduce the sweetness.

How strong is altbier?

How do you ferment an Altbier?

Steps

1. Single infusion rest at 152°F for 60 minutes.
2. Boil and add hops.
3. Chill to 62°F.
4. Pitch healthy yeast into oxygenated wort and ferment at 62°F for 1 week. Raise the temperature to 66°F for 1 week to finish fermentation.
5. Keg or bottle with a carbonation of about 2.5 volumes CO2.

Is altbier a lager or ale?

What beer does Thomas Magnum drink?

Old Düsseldorf
Old Düsseldorf – Magnum P.I Brewed in a fictional Maryland Brewery, the beer is of German origin but was apparently hard to get hold of on the island of Oahu in Hawaii where Magnum lived.

Where is Altbier made in Germany?

Pinkus Müller brewery in Münster produces an Altbier which is quite different to the Düsseldorf style, being pale and slightly tart. Altbier has been produced in the city of Venlo in the Netherlands since at least 1753. Venlo is on the border to Germany approximately 50 km (30 miles) from Düsseldorf.

Why is it called Altbier?

Its name comes from it being top-fermented, an older method than the bottom fermentation of lager beers. Altbier is usually a dark, copper colour. It is fermented at a moderate temperature using a top-fermenting yeast —which gives its flavour some fruitiness.

What is the difference between Düsseldorf and Altbier?

Pinkus Müller brewery in Münster produces an Altbier which is quite different to the Düsseldorf style, being pale and slightly tart. Altbier has been produced in the city of Venlo in the Netherlands since at least 1753.

What is Schumacher Altbier?

Schumacher Alt. Altbier is the dominant beer variety in the Lower Rhine region and especially in the towns of Düsseldorf, Krefeld and Mönchengladbach. The first producer to use the name Alt to contrast its top fermenting beer with the bottom fermenting kinds was the Schumacher brewery of Düsseldorf, which opened in 1838.