What is „Altbier“
During a stay in Düsseldorf I had to test some local beer. Here, the have their very special „old beer“ - so let me explain you a bit about this special beer.
An Altbier pictured by @detlev
Hey Hive Family
enjoy an „old beer“
and let us travel the world again
What’s an Altbier from Düsseldorf?
Let me take you onto a journey to this style of beer.
An Altbier pictured by @detlev
Why Does It Have This Name?
Is this beer from last year or even older??
Altbier, which translates to "old beer" in German, hails from the Düsseldorf area and carries a name that pays homage to its traditional brewing methods. The "alt" in Altbier refers to the old-style top-fermenting technique used before lagers became prevalent in Germany. Despite the name, there's nothing outdated about it—this brew embodies a rich heritage while maintaining a fresh appeal in the modern beer scene.
How Does It Taste?
Altbier offers a harmonious blend of flavors that dance on your palate. It typically presents a smooth, well-balanced profile with a hint of malt sweetness, followed by a pleasantly bitter finish from the noble hops. You'll notice notes of caramel, toasted bread, and a subtle nutty undertone, making it a delightfully complex yet approachable beer. Its medium body and crisp, clean finish make it perfect for any occasion, whether you're relaxing with friends or enjoying a hearty meal.
What’s a similar beer?
If you enjoy Altbier, you might also appreciate other top-fermented beers with a balanced profile. Kölsch, another German brew, shares similarities with its light, crisp characteristics but leans more towards a pale, delicate flavor. English Pale Ales, with their malt-forward taste and moderate bitterness, also offer a comparable experience. Belgian Dubbel might appeal to those who enjoy the malt richness and subtle complexities of Altbier but with a slightly more robust and fruity profile.
Schumacher Alt
As you see, I got the chance to taste the “Schumacher Alt” beer as this has a great story to tell.
An Altbier pictured by @detlev
Schumacher Alt: The Quintessential Düsseldorf Altbier
History and Heritage
Schumacher Alt is one of the most iconic Altbiers from Düsseldorf, brewed by Brauerei Schumacher. Established in 1838, this brewery is the oldest Altbier brewery in Düsseldorf still in operation. Over the years, Schumacher Alt has become synonymous with quality and tradition, representing the rich brewing heritage of the city.
An Altbier by Schumacher Alt
Brewing Process
The production of Schumacher Alt follows the classic Altbier brewing method with a few distinctive touches that set it apart:
Malt Selection: Schumacher Alt is brewed with a special blend of pale and darker malts, giving it a rich, amber color and a robust malt profile.
Top Fermentation: Using a proprietary top-fermenting yeast strain, the wort is fermented at warm temperatures. This yeast contributes to the beer’s complex estery and fruity notes.
Extended Conditioning: After primary fermentation, Schumacher Alt undergoes an extended cold conditioning period, akin to lagering. This step smooths out the flavors, enhances clarity, and ensures a crisp, clean finish.
Noble Hops: The beer is hopped with noble varieties like Spalt and Hallertau, which impart a subtle bitterness and earthy, herbal aromas that perfectly balance the malt sweetness.
Taste and Characteristics
Schumacher Alt is celebrated for its balanced and harmonious flavor profile:
- Appearance: It pours a deep amber to copper color with a creamy, off-white head.
- Aroma: The nose is greeted with a mix of malty sweetness, caramel, and hints of toasted bread, complemented by floral and herbal hop aromas.
- Flavor: On the palate, Schumacher Alt presents a smooth and rounded malt character with flavors of caramel, toffee, and a touch of nuttiness. The hop bitterness is moderate, providing a pleasant counterbalance to the malt sweetness.
- Mouthfeel: It has a medium body with moderate carbonation, leading to a crisp and refreshing finish that invites another sip.
Cultural Significance
Schumacher Alt is more than just a beer; it's a cultural icon in Düsseldorf. The brewery’s taproom, Schumacher Brauhaus, is a beloved gathering spot for locals and tourists alike. Drinking Schumacher Alt is a communal experience, often enjoyed with traditional German cuisine such as sausages, pretzels, and hearty stews.
An Altbier by Schumacher Alt
In summary,Schumacher Alt embodies the essence of Düsseldorf's brewing tradition. With its meticulous production process, balanced flavor, and deep roots in local culture, it stands out as a quintessential example of Altbier that every beer enthusiast should experience.
At the end we all know what will happen
An empty Altbier pictured by @detlev
Sadly, the beer got drunken and a happy beer lover ordered the next one.
Where did all this happen?
After a long day of work, we found this nice restaurant Ashley’s Garden and got a few Altbier there while enjoying the warm days in German summer.
Sure, I had to pin 📍 this place to my map 🗺️ to let you know how to find this lovely little Hotel and Restaurant with the help of @worldmappin
Have a great day everybody
and let us travel the world again
pic by @detlev
Enjoy the #BeerSaturday
have 3 pics and a story
around beer - and go!
@Detlev loves HIVE
I got a surprisingly good altbier in Aprica, Italy, earlier this year ;)
Interesting. A local one or did they got it from Düsseldorf?
Oh, my mistake, it was in Spain: https://peakd.com/hive-187719/@godfish/la-pedriza-the-stork-microbrewery-spain
It was a local brew, yet respecting the style to me.
As someone who lives close to Düsseldorf I approve your review! Schumacher is maybe my favorite Alt even though Füchschen, Schlüssel and Uerige are all really good. Schlösser is a nice cheap local alternative.
Yeah - that one was surprisingly good.
Will have more from this beer.
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Whooooot - thanks
Wow, it's a beautiful beer! There is a big Japanese community in Düsseldorf and I must visit and try a glass one day. Happy Beer Saturday 🍻
Let me know whenever you are there and we have some Japanese food and Alt-Bier
This sounds like a fun day and a good beer! Reading this makes me want to revisit the German restaurant we have in our area, Gasthaus Bavarian Hunter.
Love to see you in „Tracht“ for the 10% discount.
The world is not ready to see me in lederhosen. 😂
You never know. At least here we would have a lot of fun.
I would like to make it to Munich for Oktoberfest sometime soon before I get too old. That would be the perfect time to get my traditional clothes!
Oh yes - we should plan a #HiveOctoberfest meetup and book a table for 20 dudes.
That would be great!
I am all in for that one :))
Uuiuhh, vergleiche nie ein Kölsch mit einem Alt oder du bekommst bei keinem mehr ein Bier.
!WITZ
Nunja, habe zwar meinen kölschen Bierzapfer Schein, aber das Alt war wirklich lecker und hatte deutlich mehr Aroma.
Mal sehen ob ich je wieder nach Köln darf
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Thanks my foodie friends. The liquid food is strong with the beer community.
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Altbeer? Wow, it's like it belongs to the family of altcoins? hahahaha
Your description of this particular beer have caused me to salivate. Please stop. Am jealous.
Nevertheless, please keep on enjoying yourself.
I want to tell you something. I learn something new from your post. Let me not tell you. You'll get to notice it once you go through my post. Expect it soon.
Thanks for your feedback - looking forward to your next post
Thanks a bunch. I have done so in your community
It looks like taste good as I imagined the taste you shared and describe Sir. Altbier please. 😊😊
Yeah, it is worth a try