Detroit Dwarf
Old Nation Brewing Co.

Detroit Dwarf from Old Nation Brewing. Picked up a refrigerated four-pack at Riverside Liquors in Grand Rapids, MI, 23/08/25. Priceless because they don’t mark their items and don’t generate an itemized receipt. Reviewed 25/08/25 (Review 3567). Note that I use DD/MM/YY protocol.
Undated can. Stored at home at 40 degrees F. Served at 45.5 degrees F in a hand washed and dried Jester King snifter. The final temperature is 49.1 degrees F.
Appearance – 4.
First pour – Medium Amber (SRM 12), clear.
Body – Reddish amber/orange (SRM ?), clear. Under direct light, same. When rear-lite, same.
Head – Average (Maximum 3.7 cm, aggressive center pour). Honey, medium density, average retention, leaving a 0.5 – 1.3 cm jagged crown and a thin rocky cap. Some islands of foam hang on the glass as the head retracts.
Lacing – Fair. In addition to the above, an irregular mass of tiny to small bubbles hangs back.
Aroma – 4 – Sweet, malty, vaguely fruity. No alcohol.
Flavor – 4 – Begins slightly bitter with malt and some fruitiness. No alcohol (5.8 % ABV, according to the label). No dimethylsulfide or diacetyl. No gastric warming.
Palate – 3 – Medium: Watery: Soft but lively carbonation.
Style: Generally, follows the style guidelines as condensed by BA.
Final impression and summation: 3.5 (After deducting 0.25 point for an undated can.) Uncredited label artist. Nice altbier, reminds me of a Nürnberger Rotbier – wish I’d picked up more!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Enjoyed this on tap. Pleasing roasty character up front featuring caramel malt notes. The sip has a light bready chew to it with a hop kiss on the finish.

The Look and the Smell is on point. Then the wheels fall off. Very bland hop if any and the malt does not yell hello. I put this Altbier up against Alaskan Amber and it falls short. I would suggest Old Nation go back to the dugout on this one and take another swing. No disrespect to Old Nation, but if you are in the mood for Altbier, put your money on Alaskan Amber.

 

Pours a dark brown color with a minimal head that disappears quickly. Aroma of figs and other dark fruits. Taste is tangy dark fruits and roasted malts. Slightly bitter finish.

A - Pours a dark reddish brown with a one finger creamy tan head. Light amount of soapy lacing.

S - Aroma is brown bread, fruity esters and raisins.

T - The taste is toasted brown bread, fruity esters, raisins, apple, caramel malts and a light earthy bitterness.

M - Medium body with medium carbonation. Soft mouthfeel with a nice crisp finish.

O - Decent Altbier.

 

 

 

 

 

A beautiful beer! Poured from a bottle into a snifter. Nice cloudy brown with reddish tint. Thick, creamy head and great lacing. Smell is bready sweet as well as the taste. Nicely malty. Very enjoyable beer!