Buzzards Bay Altbier
Buzzards Bay Brewing

Buzzards Bay AltbierBuzzards Bay Altbier
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From:
Buzzards Bay Brewing
 
Massachusetts, United States
Style:
Altbier
ABV:
5%
Score:
83
Avg:
3.57 | pDev: 14.85%
Reviews:
16
Ratings:
20
Status:
Active
Rated:
Feb 16, 2014
Added:
Oct 21, 2006
Wants:
  0
Gots:
  0
No description / notes.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by jhoban19:
Photo of jhoban19
Reviewed by jhoban19 from Illinois

3.48/5  rDev -2.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
12oz. bottle poured into a mug. Paired with a medium rare filet mignon, mushrooms sautéed in olive oil and red wine vinegar and sweet potato fries tossed with grape seed oil and grated parmesan.

A: clear, reddish-copper color, turns tangerine in direct light. Loose yet foamy head that settles into a thin ring with moderate surface coverage. Moderate lacing as well.

S: smells of yeast, bread dough and lightly toasted malts. Pretty much what I expected given the style.

T: Follows the aromas- yeasty, bread dough, biscuit, lightly toasted malts.

M: Clean, crisp, refreshing. Fizzy carbonation dances around before quickly evaporating in the back of the throat.

D: I don't have much experience with this style, but this is a quality beer. Refreshing and enjoyably simple.
Nov 13, 2009
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 3.25 by ubufan2112 from Connecticut

Feb 16, 2014
 
Rated: 3.5 by Jason from Massachusetts

Jan 12, 2013
 
Rated: 3 by OriolesFan1008 from Maryland

Jun 05, 2012
 
Rated: 4 by anfield86 from New Jersey

Nov 19, 2011
Photo of farrago
Reviewed by farrago from New Jersey

1.95/5  rDev -45.4%
look: 2 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 1.5 | overall: 2
Peaks at about one finger of pure white foam, larger bubbles here and there, leaves a touch of lacing behind, what head there is vacates quickly. Lightly hued and transparent, washed out brown-yellow, not much really to look at. Whiff of molasses and caramelized brown sugar to the nose, quite grainy yet without a resonant hoppy bite, the malts dry and evanescent, momentary shadow of dried flowers and apricot pit. Medium-bodied, the carbonation pushes outward and takes up a good deal of space. A good thing since the apricot, peach, apple fruit tenuous at best and the toffee and cocoa malt flavors equally vague. Grains, wheat, straw present throughout, flirt with bitterness. Just doesn't have enough flavor to carve out a credible finish. Not "flawed" in a glaring way, more so simply empty.
Dec 22, 2009
Photo of shivtim
Reviewed by shivtim from Georgia

3.6/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
Translucent ruddy copper. One-finger off white/tan head. It simmers down to a thin layer. Decent looking carbonation.

Nose is very yeasty, like fresh pizza dough. Some sweet brown sugar comes though, along with hints of ethanol on warming.

Taste is slightly sour, wild tasting strains, buttery. Some alcoholic dark malts.

Mouthfeel is ok, probably average. Solid drinkability. Pretty ok overall.
Nov 16, 2009
Photo of armock
Reviewed by armock from New York

3.03/5  rDev -15.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
A - Poured a copper color with a thin off white head that leaves lacing behind

S - Is of caramel malt for the most part

T - Folows the nose with the caramel malt then finishes a little bitter

M - This beer has a medium body with lighter carbonation to it

D - This is one of those beers that your not going to remember because its just average nothing bad but nothing great
Nov 03, 2009
Photo of scoobybrew
Reviewed by scoobybrew from Indiana

4.03/5  rDev +12.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
This was poured into a stange-like glass from the bottle.

A - nice clear medium amber color with a decent thick foamy head that is well retained

S - toasted malt with a faint hop character

T - rich malt with a light roasted character and not-so-subtle noble hop finish

M - medium-to-light body, moderate carbonation

D - This is quite a nice and possibly the most authentic version this side of the big pond. It's hard to compare when it's been nearly 2 years since I was in Dusseldorf, but this does conjure those memories more so than any domestic alt in memory.
Oct 06, 2009
Photo of Darkhorse09
Reviewed by Darkhorse09 from New York

3.07/5  rDev -14%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
Poured into pint glass

Appearance: Brown/ copper with almost no head to speak of. Tiny bubbles and almost no lacing.

Smell: Some dark fruits, raisins. But the most apparenty smell for me is of bready malt. Not a very complex aroma however.

Taste: Sweet malt, some spiciness in the finish. Nothing special.

Feel: Too low carbonation. smooth but very light body leaves much to be desired. However, in terms of drinkability, you could have a few of these. Not interesting enough to be a good session beer, though. Mild, overall.
Oct 05, 2009
Photo of mooseisloose
Reviewed by mooseisloose from Florida

3.62/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
Smells like a hallertau garden with caramel malt and a little nutty like peanut butter. Pours to a light brown with a thin head, that quickly disappears. Taste is also nutty malt with a good bit of carbonation on the mouthfeel. Not really bitter but very well balanced. Quite consistent from start to finish with a nutty front a slightly bitter middle and a crisp dry finish. Very refreshing. This style can be enjoyed in the heat without bogging down and the flavors all come out even at a cooler temperature. Hats off to Buzzards, two for two in the BOTMC.
Oct 01, 2009
Photo of cnally
Reviewed by cnally from Indiana

4/5  rDev +12%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
This one has a hazy orange color that actually radiates and a frothy white head that has excellent lacing.

Very subtle laid back aroma. Fruity and floral, orange and oak.

The initial flavor is very yeasty and seemingly adjunct-influenced. This fades into a very bitter malty finish.

Creamy and sticky mouthfeel.

Tasty, even, filling, what more can I say. A very balanced and desirable beer.
Oct 01, 2009
Photo of bsp77
Reviewed by bsp77 from Minnesota

3.6/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Received in September shipment of my BOTM club.

Serving glass: Poured from bottle into Summit Pint glass.

Appearance: Clear brownish-copper with very thin head.

Smell: Cherry, plum, biscuit, citrus and spice. Smells good but definitely subdued.

Taste: Just slightly sweet cherry and biscuit malts countered by a spicy noble hop bitterness.

Feel: Relatively low carbonation for a German brew. Smooth and clean but a little watery. Finishes somewhat dry.

Drinkability: Fairly mild and pleasing Altbier, although not as complex as some others.
Sep 28, 2009
Photo of WJVII
Reviewed by WJVII from Wisconsin

3.38/5  rDev -5.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
BOM Sept 2009
Poured into a pint glass this brew has a dark amber color with an off white head with a little lacing. The aroma is of toffee, some yeast and mild hops. The taste is a little like burnt malts right away. As it warmed in the room it settled into a light coffee taste with a slight bitter hop finish. This brew definitely better near room temp. Was medium bodied, a little heavy on the carbonation but had a nice finish. Decent brew. I am interested in the black lager from this brewery that came in the shipment this month.
Sep 26, 2009
Photo of SpdKilz
Reviewed by SpdKilz from Illinois

3.97/5  rDev +11.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
From the BOTM Club

Appearance - Poured into a SA Perfect Pint. Pours a hazy dark amber/brown color. I did not pour as hard as I should have but even so the head is extra lackluster and all but is gone within the first minute and leaves minimal lacing.

Smell - Very biscuity aroma with hints of caramel and different types of malt.

Taste - Carmel and bready up front with malt and followed by just a faint bit of hops and finishes juts a tad dry and bitter. I can't put my finger on what other beer this reminds me of and it is bugging me.

Mouthfeel - Light to medium bodied yet also creamy. Decent carbonation that lends itself well to this beer.

Drinkability - Pretty drinkable. Definitely a session beer and as the Bros suggested, this would go great with sauerbraten and spätzle...my mouth is watering just thinking about having that with this. Dang it...I hate reading about food I can't have when I am enjoying a good beer that would go with it!
Sep 26, 2009
Photo of rfgetz
Reviewed by rfgetz from New Jersey

3.72/5  rDev +4.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
A: dark brown with hints of amber... thin off white head with minimal lacing

S: a few things going on here...nuts, carmel, dark fruit (figs), hints of cocoa

T: sweet carmel malts in the front, a trailing taste of nuts and figs. faint notes of chocolate... reminds me of a hadful of trailmix with many different flavors comming together, but not quite blended where everything stanbds out on its own

M: smooth and almost creamy, decent carbonation, slight aftertaste

D: very different from many Alts i have had... maybe not as pure and clean as a German brew, but appreciate the depth of taste
Sep 25, 2009
Photo of BeerAdvocate
Reviewed by BeerAdvocate from Finland

3.63/5  rDev +1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Review is from the February 2007 issue of Beeradvocate Magazine.

Brewed with German hops and malt, an ale strain, and lagered as well. Going for authentic, from the looks of it.

Pours with a fast-rising froth; the good two fingers worth of head hold strong. Tawny in color, but bright in clarity. Toasted biscuit aroma, with a very clean, herbal nose. Suggestions of white chocolate and caramel. Quite carbonated and tight. Solid malt backbone shows hints of toasted bread, carob and a kiss of caramel in the middle, but decidedly semi-dry on the maltiness. Light, flowery citric twang from the hops up front, with a very balanced and semi-assertive bitterness middle to end. Finishes with a lingering toasted grain and slightly herbal, spicy bite from the hops.

Well-balanced and very drinkable. Pair this one with a plate of sauerbraten and spätzle, or sheep's milk cheddar and rye crackers. Without a doubt, comparable to its German counterparts. So why is this a limited release? What about year-round? Go for it guys!
Jul 24, 2008
Photo of Hibernator
Reviewed by Hibernator from Massachusetts

4.15/5  rDev +16.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Buzzard's Bay Alt Bier
12 oz brown bottle
Limited - 6.320
Served in a 20 oz tulip pint glass

Pours an amber brown with a copper tint. A fluffy head forms on top and leaves trails of sticky lace on the side of the glassware.

The nose is a tad fruity and sweet. Whiffs of varied malts.

A juicy caramel flavor and deep malt backbone provide the base. A touch of fruit with hints of pear and a mini hop snap on the finish.

The mouthfeel is really, really nice and well-balanced. Incredibly smooth and drinkable. Quite enjoyable overall. I think I lucked out with a really fresh 6 pack.
Mar 31, 2007
Photo of ybnorml
Reviewed by ybnorml from Rhode Island

4.07/5  rDev +14%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
A clean dark copper beer with some orange highlights. Has a nice tan head. The aroma has a nice determined sweet malty grain character with caramel and toffee notes running thru it. A sharp hoppy bitterness rips along the sides of your tongue as the sweet malty notes lay gently in the middle. There is a light hoppiness that creates a nice dry finish. A very nice easy drinking beer.
Nov 26, 2006
Photo of CharlieMopps
Reviewed by CharlieMopps from Virginia

4.3/5  rDev +20.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Not-yet-released offering from Buzzard's Bay Brewing, supposed to be out in a couple weeks on draft and in bottle format. ABV supposed to be 5.0, but could be 5.5%. 50 barrel limited release. Enjoyed straight from the tank.

A: Deep, cloudy amber and brown hue with a nice head, decent retention and nice lacing around the side. An inviting and appealing appearance.

S: Fruity and malty aromas, appealing in its caramel-like sweetness. Smells of date or fig, some mild fruit it seems, with some sort of light spice almost.

T: Sweet and toasty malty tones coming through strong and hints of mellow fruitiness prevail. Hops present here, but very relaxed and balanced with a hint of molasses. Again, the date or fig taste is somewhat present, just an easygoing fruit flavor that fits in there quite nicely in contrast with the pleasant maltiness.

M: Creamy and smooth texture, lingering over the palate and finishing quite nicely. Amazing balance to this brew, carbonation just right, with the sweetness subdued and eased back due to the aging, so as to not overpower the tastebuds.

D: Can't say enough good things about this beer. Had it as fresh as could be and was amazed. I would order cases of this stuff, especially if I lived in the area. Look out for its official release in a few weeks. I've got a feeling this one will become part of the regular line-up.
Oct 21, 2006
Buzzards Bay Altbier from Buzzards Bay Brewing
Beer rating: 83 out of 100 with 20 ratings