Loki's Altbier
Barbarian Brewing

for all the frou frou and experimental stuff these guys do, its cool to see some old world styles done really well in here too, i think this is an overlooked aspect of their business, and i always appreciate them when i have them. this is a most excellent altbier, deep amber to chestnut in color, an inch of active airy tan head, and lovely clarity and shine for its depth, really pretty pour here. the nose on this is dry, which i love about the well made takes on this style, toasted and kilned to me, not long boiled and super rich, which is cool, autumn more than spring right away to me, a hint of hazelnut, toffee, and warm hearth bread. i love the mineral profile and the water chemistry more generally, and how earthy this is, things like bark and herbal tea and old world lager yeast rise up ahead of more typical notes for amber and red beers like caramel and raisin and sweetness. the ferment on this is awesome, near dry, and crisp for its malty nature, the best of both worlds, and there is just enough hop bitterness on the swallow for it to be well balanced but without compromise. exceptionally well done, frankly about as good an american made take on this style as i can recall ever having. i wish they did a little more of this and a little less of the heavy fruited sour stuff, this is expert, and is doing it for me with this winter weather that still wont quit!

Draft at Barbarian. Dark, clear amber, creamy beige head. Malty, woody aroma, leather. Taste is sweet, tannic, malty, nutty, faint bitterness. Smooth.