True North Copper Altbier
Magnotta Brewery

True North Copper AltbierTrue North Copper Altbier
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From:
Magnotta Brewery
 
Ontario, Canada
Style:
Altbier
ABV:
5%
Score:
85
Avg:
3.72 | pDev: 12.9%
Reviews:
25
Ratings:
30
Status:
Active
Rated:
May 25, 2017
Added:
Jul 27, 2002
Wants:
  1
Gots:
  0
An ultra-premium all-malt and traditional German-style ale at 5% alc./vol. Deep copper to light brown colour with an aromatic focus on malt elements of fresh baked biscuits and toast. Malt initially dominates the palate with typical Altbier flavours of biscuits, followed by an intense yet pleasant hop bitterness. A slightly dry body and reduced ale fruitiness is achieved by extended deep-cold aging. Can be served with beef soups, spinach salad, roast chicken, pork tenderloin, falafel, chocolate cake, and smoked cheeses.
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Ratings by Seanstoppable:
Photo of Seanstoppable
Reviewed by Seanstoppable from Canada (NS)

4/5  rDev +7.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Been overloaded with hoppy beers lately, and figured it would be nice to give something else a try. Pulling things from my fridge, I retrieved this, which I had recently received from MeisterBurger.

Pours a dark pinkish copper color with a finger and half of frothy white head. Head settles down fairly quickly, until it becomes a thick film on top of the beer. Plenty of lacing down the side.

Scent is very malty, with some hints of chocolate.

Taste follows scent. Nice caramel malt and chocolate character. Rather than a very strong taste, it is more mellow. Very earthy overall, with the earthiness lingering a bit after you swallow.

Very easy to drink. My glass emptied much too rapidly. Would pick up a few bottles of this, given a chance.
Nov 07, 2009
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 3.84 by Electros from Canada (ON)

May 25, 2017
Photo of BigBry
Reviewed by BigBry from Canada (AB)

3.52/5  rDev -5.4%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
341 ml bottle, as shown below.
Deep copper, crystal clear and a thin cream colored head.
A light malt aroma, bit of hops come through.
The malt flavor dominates, a bit nutty. Finishes with some fruit. Slightly metallic aftertaste.
Appropriate carbonation level, well balanced, and finishes dry.
I was hoping for a bit more malty base, I have had better Altbiers.
Feb 02, 2015
Photo of Pmicdee
Rated by Pmicdee from Canada (ON)

4.25/5  rDev +14.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Now it's just called Copper Ale.
From a growler
May 20 2019
Sep 27, 2013
Photo of NedShakeshaft
Reviewed by NedShakeshaft from Canada (ON)

3.76/5  rDev +1.1%
look: 2.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Found the fridge kind of bare last night and couldn't be bothered to cross the river. The Beer Store in Fort Erie ON is walk-in style and has a surprisingly good selection of Canadian craft beer. Haven't had a Magnotta brew in over 10 years, and never this one. Sort of forgot about them.

Poured an off-white, "dirty dubbel" head that disappeared in less than a minute leaving just a hint of a ring. Swishing did revive it. Copper brown color.

Smelled yeasty to me. I could definitely detect some malt beneath and spice overtop. A nice surprise, more complex than I expected.

The balance continues to the taste. Caramel malt sweetness counteracted by just the right amount of bitter hops. Finishes on the bitter side and lingers, but the spice sticks around to help it out. Well done. I don't think I've had a real altbier before, but it tasted like I imagined the style, for what it's worth.

It was a bit thinner than I expected. I guess I was expecting something closer to an abbey ale in terms of feel, probably because of the yeast presence. Still pleasant though, and easy-drinking, I could happily crush several.

Very satisfying, easily worth the $19.50 for the 12-pack. Better than a lot of Canadian crafts for which I've shelled out $24. Very impressive, hope to (re)try all of Magnotta's offerings.
Oct 20, 2012
 
Rated: 4 by fiftyorbust from Canada (ON)

Aug 08, 2012
 
Rated: 4 by RedAleMan from Canada (ON)

Jun 08, 2012
 
Photo of treque
Reviewed by treque from Mexico

3.85/5  rDev +3.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Reddish hue as name says copper, creamy beige head with good retention with constant carbonatation,

some yeast, metalic and hop aroma

Same characteristics on the taste as mentioned on smell

Nice surprise, really an altbier like if you were in germany
Aug 18, 2010
Photo of karait95
Reviewed by karait95 from Mexico

3.85/5  rDev +3.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
A: A copper color with a small head that dissipates a little fast not leaving a layer behind, almost not retention to the glass but a lot of color inside.

S: Faint toasted aroma not very complex but nice.

T: A nice toasted and sweet flavor that change to a light bittersweet in the mouth, you can feel some caramel at the beginning.

M: Really nice combination of sweet starting with bitter ending that changes slowly and get complex in the middle, refreshing but intense flavor and sensation.
Aug 12, 2010
Photo of Mit
Reviewed by Mit from Canada (ON)

3.26/5  rDev -12.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Been kinda making my way through the Magnotta beers. The IPA is a staple in my fridge and I have had quite a few of the Cream Ales at my neighbors. Saw the Copper Alt and thought it was a nice change.

a-deep coppery red colour with a respectably lasting head.

s-malty notes dominate the bouquet with some underlying spicyness near the end.

t-sweet malt flavour that doesn't over power. Spicey finish to balance out the malt sweetness.

m-Nice moutfeel in keeping with the abv. Nice body to this one for sure.

d-very drinkable although I found the maltiness to become somewhat cloying after a while. I have been on a hoppy bent though.
Mar 14, 2010
Photo of MeisterBurger
Reviewed by MeisterBurger from Canada (ON)

3.88/5  rDev +4.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Pours a beautiful copper color, very clear, with a frothy inch and a half of head, which dies down to a film that sticks around for the long haul. Minimal lacing.

The aroma is malty, chalky and sulfery. Grainy. A little spicy.

The taste is toasty caramel malt with a biting hop bitterness. It's grainy in the middle. It has a quick finish that leads to a dry, metallic bitter aftertaste...maybe almost minty. Some of the sulfur in the aroma is present in the taste with a hint of chalkiness. There's a mild fruitiness that's hard to place and as it warms a slight bit of vegetal comes out.

Mouthfeel is medium with a good amount of carbonation.

A good drinker, easily sessionable.

I've just read what I wrote and I'm really not doing this beer a modicum of justice. Let's just say, if you've ever had any doubt about this beer as I have, it's worth committing to a twelve pack. You'll like it. Trust me. ;)
Sep 17, 2009
Photo of cratez
Reviewed by cratez from Canada (ON)

3.65/5  rDev -1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Freshness date of December 12, 2009. Appearance is dark copper brown with a thin layer of tan film. Healthy amount of lacing on the pint glass. Smells of caramel, butter, toffee, biscuit, and cocoa powder. Taste is light, cedar-like hops followed by toasted biscuit and caramel. Some nutty chocolate flavours as well. A ton of malt in the aftertaste, too much for my liking. With a little more hop bitterness, this could be a wonderfully complex ale. But the malt astringency is overdone IMO. Still a good, drinkable offering from True North.
Jun 30, 2009
Photo of Derek
Reviewed by Derek from Canada (BC)

4.12/5  rDev +10.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
A: Copper with a light tan head, some retention, light lacing.

S: Earthy mineral, caramel, beer-nuts and pleasant fruity esters with a light spicing.

T: Malty caramel with a good bitterness to back it up, earthy, grassy/peppery spicing is VERY German & I like it, slight fruityness, hints of nut & chocolate. Not as bready as a German brew, but quite nice.

M: Moderate body has a slightly prickly acidity and a dry finish.

D: Quite drinkable.

Thanks bobsy!
Apr 08, 2009
Photo of Shadman
Reviewed by Shadman from Canada (AB)

3.46/5  rDev -7%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Another beer I need to thank Bobsy for.

Nice bright copper color..maybe that's why they put that on the label. Good off-white head, rich, slightly creamy.

Pleasant arioma. Rich caramel malt. Nice floral fruitiness.

My inital reaction to the taste was wow...very malty with the malt being that harsh 'overdone', for a lack of a better definition, microbrew malt that I am starting to dread. However as the beer warmed and settled down a bit I found it improved greatly in taste. The buscuit malt toned down and some of the caramel seemed to be more apparent. Good hop bitterness.

Nice ale smoothness to it and certainly worth a try.
Mar 04, 2009
Photo of ritzkiss
Reviewed by ritzkiss from Canada (ON)

3.66/5  rDev -1.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
12oz bottle pours courtesy of Bobsy.

Pours a crystal clear copper color with a finger of nice foamy head, which reduces but leaves a solid lacing on top and down the glass courtesy of the tiny bubbles racing to the top. Looks great!

Smell is all malt, a little bit of bread as you progress.

Taste is creamy and smooth. Some malts, a little more bread, clean hops in the background, hints of restrained esters (strawberry, ??), a light light touch of caramel. Slightly metallic mouthfeel (it IS a copper altbier), well carbonated.

A nice smooth, easy drinker that most people would have no problem downing a few. Really, a solid beer. Thanks again Rob!
Mar 03, 2009
Photo of ThatWineGuy
Reviewed by ThatWineGuy from Canada (ON)

3.88/5  rDev +4.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Poured copper with tan head, one finger, left a nice large bubble ring around the glass, some lacing, wispy, clouded surface looked very inviting. Slight dark red hues danced about. I thought there was a pitted fruit nose but it was not very pronounced. Taste was quite good, balanced malt and muted bitterness was drawn out and finished quite nicely. Possibly a bit of tangerine in there to mark a hop presence, but with balanced acidity. Swirling the glass, even one third full, produced a fresh head with staying power, I have to say I was impressed with this offering from Magnotta.
Mar 03, 2009
Photo of biegaman
Reviewed by biegaman from Canada (ON)

4.1/5  rDev +10.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Fresh plated copper with dazzling tone and resilient clarity. Its toasty, caramel-infused colour is quite something to behold into the light, especially since clarity is left completely unhindered. A light sprinkling of bubbles demonstrates the only signs of carbonation; the beer's top is utterly bare less a thin, hardly visible string of floss that confines it.

The nose is an explosion of toasty, crisp Munich malt. It is equal parts sweet and grainy. It is very neutral. There's a touch of fruit and a smidgen of caramel but both are heavily restrained, these notes only become slightly detectable after some warming.

The flavour is also fairly simplistic, again with the same ratio of one part sweet-one part grainy. There's isn't much note of hops although the beer does posses a fairly hard-line bitterness. If this were art it would most certainly be considered minimalist. Not taking away from its quality or enjoyment but this is beer stripped down to its most fundamental features.

It might be ironic to liken the altbier to a facet of Modernism given that the beer originates in Düsseldorf, Germany in the 1800's and the name itself ("alt"meaning "old") refers to making top-fermented ales the old fashion way. Then again, altbiers are often lagered so the beer itself is a bit contradicting in its own right.

The metaphor fits because this really is beer stripped down to its most fundamental features. It drinks exactly as it should: bitter and sweet, quenching, substantial yet endlessly quaffable. Appreciating beers for their simplicity and only serving the purpose which they should (to be drank) seems an art lost on or not understood by today's beer aficionados.

I've never been to those parts of Germany where I would be served a Düsseldorfer Alt or a Sticke Alt Latzenbier, so when I drink this New World rendition I can't be sure of just how well they've mimicked the style. Nevertheless, when they print on the cap "Classic European Style" I think the brewery is doing more than just stating a matter of fact, it seems they're indicating that they understand a thing or two about beer and how to brew it.
Feb 28, 2009
Photo of Voonder
Reviewed by Voonder from Canada (AB)

4.05/5  rDev +8.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
Thanks bobsy for this!
Pours dark amber color wirh off-wite head. Smell - very malty, some caramel, bread. Very pleasant aroma. Taste - bready, malty upfront, a little hoppy bitterness, come caramel is there as well. Great! Extremely smooth and creamy, very drinkable. I could see myself enjoying 6 pack of it.
Thanks again Rob!
Feb 14, 2009
Photo of bobsy
Reviewed by bobsy from Canada (ON)

4.2/5  rDev +12.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 5
From the brewery description:
"An ultra-premium all-malt and traditional German-style ale at 5% alc./vol. Deep copper to light brown colour with an aromatic focus on malt elements of fresh baked biscuits and toast. Malt initially dominates the palate with typical Altbier flavours of biscuits, followed by an intense yet pleasant hop bitterness. A slightly dry body and reduced ale fruitiness is achieved by extended deep-cold aging. Can be served with beef soups, spinach salad, roast chicken, pork tenderloin, falafel, chocolate cake, and smoked cheeses. "

Copper body with a good white head that diminishes to a well-lacing cap. Lightly sweet aroma of caramel and fruit, as well as some nut. Sweet biscuit and caramel malts upfront, with the bitterness rounding out the finish. Again the fruit - an echo of blueberry. Also some mineral and a hint of woodiness. Body is medium, with medium carbonation. Strong drinkability and easy to sink a few in a row.
Aug 01, 2008
True North Copper Altbier from Magnotta Brewery
Beer rating: 85 out of 100 with 30 ratings