Altimeter
Outer Banks Brewing Station

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A growler filled yesterday at the brewpub.

A: The altbier is a radiant golden brown color, just barely translucent. The first few pours were rather wild, generating a two plus finger head that leaves behind isolated islands of lace.

S: The altbier's nose is spicy, driven by a strong hop presence and, perhaps thank to the yeast, actually spices. A little cinnamon, a little pepper, those aromas add up to a nice smelling ale.

T: The grainy malt base is evident, a chewy factor up front that stays silent throughout the rest of the spicy ale. Hoppiness, citrusy and lively, really jumps out, contributing in great part to the spiciness of the ale. More roasted grains, toasty but not burnt, follow the hops and see the beer off into the sunset. For the rush of flavors, there is a thinness that tamps the ale down, holding it back a bit.

M: The altbier is a departure from the staid malt-centric brews that I'm more familiar with. This one packs a punch with a sharp dose of hops and yeast-inspired spiciness.

D: Under 5%, strong flavors, nice hoppy bite. A very enjoyable beach beer, a further sign of good things from OBBS.

Overall it's quite drinkable with its hoppy-spicy finish but it's not overpowering. This beer goes well with a meal (especially an appetizer of chips and assorted dips available at the brew-pub).

Appearance: Bronze-amber with good lacing

Smell: Malty, spicy

Taste: A bit like Sam Adams with a bit more hop

Mouthfeel: Strong finish, smooth

Drinkability: Good as a stand alone or with a nasch; a versatile beer

This beer came out a deep amber with little head. The smell was mostly malt, with a bit of spicy hops. The taste was mostly a backbone of malt that was balanced towards the finish by some of the hops spiciness. The mouthfeel was a bit watery but pleasantly carbonated. This was an averagely drinkable beer, no problem drinking it but I couldn't imagine chugging many of them. One of the many good beers I tried while at the brewery.

A seethru dark ruby tinted color with minor head and a faint caramelized malt smell - gives off some sweet notes but they are underwhelming. Smooth and creamy with a light-to-medium feel. Tastes consist of a mix of bready, roasted malts with some sweet as well and some hop bitterness and a hint of heavy fruits. All rather pedestrian but still an OK beer to sip on.

From my limited notes when at the Outer Banks this past summer.

Pours a dark amber color with some head, no lacing.

Smell is fairly spicy, good malt presence with some caramel tones.

Taste is similar to the smell department as the spice tingles in the sides of the mouth with the malt smoothing over the taste.

From a 5 oz. sample on summer vacation in August. It arrives a clear bronze, with low carbonation and a quarter-inch of off-white head. The aroma and taste are quite similar, consisting of toasted malts, rye, spicy hops, and hints of wheat. It has a medium body, with equal carbonation and finish, and is overall an easy-to-drink alt.

I liked the nicer darker shade of brown with this one,decent head wich dissapated quickley.Smell was malty but didnt smell to sweet,taste was very chocolaty never had an alt quite as chocolaty as this,it tasted very fresh.Highly drinkable I really liked this interpertation of the style better than the dry spicey alt styley I sometimes find.High quality brewpub out there in Nags Head.