TheBeerObserver

In honor of this weekend's Great American Beer Festival, I'm breaking open a true Düsseldorf Altbier that I've been saving for a few weeks - Uerige Alt.

Düsseldorf Altbiers have been a personal favorite for a long time - its what the American Amber style should be. Red in color, with caramel and subtle chocolate notes from the caramel malt and a nicely balanced hop flavors. Altbier literally means old beer and refers to the brewing method prior to lager brewing, with the use of a warmer, top-fermenting yeast. However, because the style originated in Germany, its "lagered" much longer than a British ale - resulting in a clean, crisp flavored ale.