Altbier
Two Coast Brewing Company

 

 

this is a world class example of the style. a nice nutty classic german brew, crisp and drinkable for being so malty, and not at all sweet for how much flavor comes from the grain here. this is my first brew from these guys, dark chestnut color with several inches of white head on it, lasting and lacy and airy and super pretty, rising and staying. strong german character to this in the nose, both in the yeast and in the grain, fresher than the imports for sure and seemingly more substantial than most as well, i get some almond and some breakfast bread, toasted and kilned malts, some caramelization, some minerals too, and a lot of yeastiness. a little lager crispness to this for a big amber, it stops being sweet almost immediately, which is cool and different, but also there are these german ale yeast notes, cooked plantain and biscuit and pizza dough, its just great. so much flavor here and so low alcohol, plenty of body for what it is too, a beer drinkers session beer and really something quite good and well ahead of modest expectations. i would love to get my hands on some more of their stuff, this is superb!