84/09 Double Alt (25th Anniversary Beer)
Widmer Brothers Brewing Company

84/09 Double Alt (25th Anniversary Beer)84/09 Double Alt (25th Anniversary Beer)
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From:
Widmer Brothers Brewing Company
 
Oregon, United States
Style:
Altbier
ABV:
9.8%
Score:
84
Avg:
3.71 | pDev: 9.43%
Reviews:
44
Ratings:
46
Status:
Retired
Rated:
Jun 14, 2017
Added:
Feb 11, 2009
Wants:
  1
Gots:
  1
No description / notes.
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Ratings by PDXHops:
Photo of PDXHops
Reviewed by PDXHops from South Carolina

3.33/5  rDev -10.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Bomber, poured into a tall slender mug.

See-thru ruby-brown body capped by 2 fingers of creamy beige head. Vigorous visual carbonation constantly refreshes the frothy head, and it sticks around til the end. Plentiful lacing.

Smells like it's gonna be a big fruity and sweet brew. Huge toffeeish malt with overripe dark fruits, raisins, port, some spiciness and noticeable alcohol.

In the mouth, there's a surprising punch of hops up front that quickly yields to a strong boozy maltiness. Big toffee and caramel with hints of coffee and tanginess. The alcohol is a bit distracting.

Mouthfeel's a little tricky. Although visually it obviously has tons of carbonation, it's barely enough to scrub all that sticky sweetness of the palate.

Overall impression: I'm curious if a bit of aging will calm down the booze a bit and round this one out. At this price point, it was a pretty cheap experiment to throw a couple in the cellar. Will update my review in the future with any noteworthy changes.
Jul 01, 2009
More User Ratings:
Photo of poisoneddwarf
Reviewed by poisoneddwarf from Idaho

3.77/5  rDev +1.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.5
2009 backlog. Bomber. Aroma of sweet malt, raisins; I’ve had barleywines which smell pretty similar to this. Pours dark brown with a decent head, decent lacing. What do ya know, it tastes like barleywine, with raisins and molasses being the dominant flavors. Hop bitterness, alcohol in the aftertaste. Not too bad.
Jun 14, 2017
 
Rated: 3.5 by Kelp from New Hampshire

Apr 29, 2013
 
Rated: 4.25 by t0rin0 from California

Mar 07, 2013
Photo of July2Nov
Reviewed by July2Nov from Virginia

3.53/5  rDev -4.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Appearance: Medium brown with some light brown/orange light around the edges. Thick 3-inch head that stays foamy and respectable throughout the life of the beer.

Smell: Has a bit of a sour dark fruit smell. Not at all unpleasant.

Taste & Mouthfeel: Nice syrupy flavor, with a bit of sweet bread taste. Big mouthfeel at first, but it smooths out considerably. Very sneaky if this is a 9.80 abv%, because it doesn't act like one. I can see how this one would warm you up during those winter months...can feel the heat running down the esophagus. The alcohol gives it a menthol kind of feel. Tastes of dark cherries seem to come up to the surface.

Drinakbility: Must admit that this has been chilling in my fridge for some considerable amount of time. Not sure how this has affected the outcome of the tasting, but by my calculations, it hasn't hurt it any. Nice version of an Altbier.
Jan 15, 2011
Photo of Fnord
Reviewed by Fnord from Texas

3.89/5  rDev +4.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
This bottle's been sitting on the shelf for quite a while now, so its quality could go either way.

Appearance - Very dark reddish-brown with very thin lacing.

Smell - Chocolate, alcohol, molasses, caramel, and oak.

Taste - Very sweet at the start, and throughout. There's a touch of bitterness at the end, but it's barely present. The sweetness is balanced by a fair amount of dry malts, and by the alcohol. The alcohol is somewhat integrated into the overall taste, not too harsh but not subtle, either. Interestingly, as it warms up I'm starting to notice a cherry flavor cropping up at the end. The aftertaste is sweet and syrupy.

Mouthfeel - Thin with medium-low carbonation.

Notes - I have two fairly minor complaints. I wish the alcohol were more "rounded" in flavor, better integrated. Second, the mouthfeel is too thin. Also, I would like to see more dry malts, but that's really more of a personal preference. Is this beer outstanding? No. But it is good, and even better, it's interesting. Personally, I would label this beer as an English Strong Ale, and that alone makes it stand out from all the more common 'big' styles. Good job, Widmer. I recommend it if you can still find one in the store.
Aug 10, 2010
Photo of emmasdad
Reviewed by emmasdad from Colorado

3.55/5  rDev -4.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Pours a deep garnet color, with brilliant ruby red highlights and a nice tan head. Aromas of dark fruits, rich caramel and raisins. Flavors of brown sugar, earthy malts, some subtle hopping and a little alcohol warmth. Pretty complex, and a nice effort from an average brewery.
May 18, 2010
Photo of taxguyjase
Reviewed by taxguyjase from New Mexico

3.68/5  rDev -0.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5
Appearance - Thick, rich looking copper brown. Head gone so quick you wouldn't have thought it was there. Low carbonation. - 3.5/5.0

Smell - Alcoholic malt with a sweet bread and light chestnut smell. 3.0/5.0

Taste - Molasses, raisens, some sweetness, bread, great blend of malt. Tart alcohol hits at the very end, but for a beer that is almost 10% ABV, the potency will creep up on you. As the beer settles and warms up a bit, you'll get some toffee and a bit more bitterness. - 4.0/5.0

Feel - Flavor builds up and you get a hit of sweetness near the middle of each taste. Aftertaste is mild, but alcoholic and malty. Body is on the higher side of medium. - 4.5/5.0

Drinkability - Flavorful brew, but on the strong side for something I'd get regularly. Great job by Widmer to celebrate 25 years of brewing. - 3.5/5.0
Apr 28, 2010
Photo of Rayek
Reviewed by Rayek from Colorado

3.77/5  rDev +1.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Poured into a Stange. This is a Double Alt, so I suppose the beer qualifies as a Sticke.

A: Murky chestnut brown, with very light carbonation. A rocky nougat tinged cap starts strong and slowly settles to a patchwork sheet. Leaves little in the way of lace.

S: The nose is heavy with toffee, raisins and prunes. A tingle of alcohol holds the sweetness in check. There's a very faint aroma of grassy hops in the background.

T: Thick and malty right out of the gate. The bittersweet toffee from the nose is bolstered by cherries and prunes. Bitterness is well balanced and brings a pepper bite. Alcohol adds quite a bit of heat to the equation. Finishes with a lingering pepper bitterness and a light alcohol warmth.

M: The medium body is quite sticky and has a nice level of soft yet prickly carbonation.

D: I found this beer to be pleasant overall. Double Alt is certainly a new twist for me. It seems like this beer could stand a little age to turn down the heat a notch, but I still liked it.
Apr 21, 2010
Photo of Spineypanda
Reviewed by Spineypanda from Texas

3.8/5  rDev +2.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Pours a dark brown, like a bock. Has a head that does not start forming immediately, but seconds after you pour, kind of interesting.
Smells of sugar and roasted malts.
The taste is reminiscent of coffee, but has more than that too it. It has a strong mocha taste to it and some sweet but not much.

Very interesting, first alt beer.
Apr 08, 2010
Photo of maltlikker
Reviewed by maltlikker from Colorado

3.91/5  rDev +5.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Pours a deep copper with a fluffy tan head that leaves plenty of sticky lacing - looks beautiful in the slender stange.

Sweet malty aroma with a honey/floral quality.

Flavor is sweet caramel and biscuity fruitiness followed by a moderate grapefruit pith bitterness which lingers along with the alcohol warmth. Flirts with being cloying, but there is enough hop presence to balance out the substantial sweetness.

Medium heavy mouthfeel seems appropriate for this beer, and along with the light carbonation = a good sipper for a cold, wet day.
Mar 27, 2010
Photo of BuckeyeNation
Reviewed by BuckeyeNation from Iowa

3.58/5  rDev -3.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Burnt orange that becomes russet with tangerine trim when sunshine is allowed entry. Not quite three fingers of sandstone colored foam was produced on the pour and looks tight bubbled enough to last. A copious amount of attractive lace is being laid down as well.

The aroma is brown ale-like (although not as dark) and is generically hoppy. Alchemy and Willamette will do that. More power and more definition might have resulted in the next highest score.

Widmer Double Alt is impressivly hoppy beer after almost 9 months in the bottle... which is a good thing. It's also still on the warm (not quite hot) side... which isn't such a good thing. If you're cellaring it, and don't mind a more subdued bitterness, my suggestion would be to wait until late summer or fall at least.

This 25th Anniversary Ale tastes like an Imperial brown ale mixed with a big Oktoberfest. Flavors include an entire loaf of brown bread toast, bitter peanut skins, bitter tea leaves and a shot of brandy. I don't often say this, but 84/09 would be better beer if it was less aggressive beer.

Warming allows some of the malt sugars to peek through the alpha acid and alcohol attack. It's definitely more composed now than it was in the top third of the bomber. Lovers of Big Beer will find a fair amount to like. Bud Light lovers will spit it out in horror and never try craft beer again.

The mouthfeel has *just* enough girth and volume to get a good score. It's as firm as a baseball bat to the back of the head, but it's somewhat smooth and has well-calibrated carbonation.

Kudos to Widmer Brothers for 25 years of craft brewing success. 84/09 Double Alt isn't as accessible as it could be, but one has to admire its take-no-prisoners attitude. Better to aim high and fall just short than to settle for mediocrity from the word 'go'.
Mar 16, 2010
Photo of briman
Reviewed by briman from Texas

3.32/5  rDev -10.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Pours reddish brown, very hazy, with about a quarter inch tan head that retains well.

Aroma has a moderate malty presence, with a touch of hops, and a fairly substantial fruit note bordering but not quite getting into a dark fruit characteristic...like a not quite black cherry. Not terribly bready, which one might expect in an alt...but that may be hidden by the fruit. Alcohol seems to come out right at first, but fades over time.

Flavor is malty and fruity. Finshes with a moderate hop bitterness, with some alcohol in the back.

Medium-full body, moderate carbonation. Alcohol is pretty evident in the aftertaste, and could be hidden better. This is not a bad beer at all, but it's not an alt. It's almost more like a strong ale honestly. That said, it's is a tough beer to review. Altbiers are generally clear, with a clean feel, and a more assertive hop component. This beer is not clear, has only a moderate hop bitterness, and is fairly thick going down...in other words not session material. Based on the style, have to mark it down for those reasons.
Mar 06, 2010
Photo of htomsirveaux
Reviewed by htomsirveaux from Texas

3.7/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
22 oz. bottle tried 15 Jun 2009.

Poured in a 0.4 L Sonnen becker. Medium light brown head. Well carbonated. Clear dark reddish brown color. Aromas of brown sugar, caramel, some chocolate. Starts quite malty, sugar sweet. Some raisins and rum as it warms a bit, figs and dates as well. Finish is dry and bitter with a slight bit of smokiness. Alcohol shows up in aftertaste. Medium body.

Was decent but not quite what I was expecting (not sure what a double alt should be anyway...).
Jan 28, 2010
Photo of yemenmocha
Reviewed by yemenmocha from Arizona

3.26/5  rDev -12.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3
Pours medium brown with a suggestion of amber to red in there as well. Head is tan, thick, and retains well.

Nose has some bready notes, caramel/toffee, and fruit that mixes in and almost reminds me of black forest cake.

Palate is disappointing with the alcohol shining through so much. Some warm caramel to brown sugar sweetness is noted, and overall the body is fairly nice, but the alcohol heat kicks in midway through the finish and spoils the show for me.
Dec 13, 2009
Photo of Zorro
Reviewed by Zorro from California

4.05/5  rDev +9.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Deep chestnut brown colored beer with a small tan colored head. Basically clear with a slight chill haze.

Smells like an alt on steroids. Big Munich malt scent heavy on caramel and toasted grain. Fruity scent from higher alcohol content, strong cherry scent here. A few more subtle scents here, almond and melon.

Begins malty and heavy with lots of grain and caramel taste. Very soon the hop bitterness kicks in and puts a cap on the malt. Subtle flavors of almond, cherry and that uncommon for the style melon.

Mouthfeel is heavy for the style.

Quite a nice beer with one minor complaint. Sort of thick for the style. All in all this is good. Possibly this is the foundation for a new style "Imperial Alt."
Dec 06, 2009
Photo of SkeeterHawk
Reviewed by SkeeterHawk from Texas

3.79/5  rDev +2.2%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
I picked this beer up at Spec's a few weeks ago and I certainly hope that it tastes something like an Altbier. This style is pretty special to me since I lived in Dusseldorf for a while and practically lived on Altbier. OK, lets pour it into my glass stein and see what we have here.

Appearance: It already appears a bit cloudy where Altbier is typically really clear and a copper-like color. There is very little head after a reserved pour. After swirling the beer, there is some lacing left on the glass.

Aroma: I do some of the essential Munich aroma that you need for this style, and there is a subtle cherry note going on here that I am guessing is an interplay of the alcohol, Munich and roasty notes...it has some nice complexity to the aroma...not exactly what I would call an Alt, but this is a "Double" Alt, so maybe that is the difference.

Taste: The flavor is pretty nice. It is clean with a defined toasty presence from the malt that is essential. It even has a pretty substantial bitter backbone to the finish, but still the malt and alcohol are in charge of the finish. I have only drank about 1/3 of this beer so far and i am already feeling a little warm. As the beer warms up some, it gets more spicy and has a subtle toffee-like flavor coming later in the finish.

Opinion: Actually I was pretty happy with this beer overall. It doesn't "take me to Dusseldorf", which is one thing that I look for with a traditional Altbier, but this beer is close enough to the style that I would actually think of that style to put this beer into...though big as heck for the style. It is still close enough to be notable
Nov 24, 2009
Photo of msubulldog25
Reviewed by msubulldog25 from Oregon

3.9/5  rDev +5.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
A 22 oz. bottle, poured to a 'Wid...', no, an 'Oregon Bounty Fresh Hop' pint...so often I use the Widmer pint it seems almost automatic. Widmer's 25th Anniversary brew, released in mid-spring 2009. Cheers, Kurt & Rob!

Beneath the cap: "A PROST: To The Oregon Brewers Festival!" Here, here. Bottling date: 15APR09

A: Lovely mahogany, with a slight burgundy-red lean. Remarkably clear, a handful of streaming bubbles rising slowly. Nearly a finger of light tan head, winnowing to a thin film, interrupted by larger clumping froth. Good lace, in steady sheets.

S: Sweet aroma, a sticky spice-laden pastry. Maraschino cherry, light cocoa, toffee.

T: Malt/grain sweetness - the toffee/cherry sugariness found in the aroma. Loads of cocoa, fruit and spice. Lasting dark chocolate, a notable piney hop, lasting bitter char.

M: A bit on the heavy/syrupy side, but smooth as silk. Alcohol is present, though not too powerful.

D: The only (minor) downfall is 'drinkability'...pretty heavy. OK, quite heavy, yet still tasty enough that consuming a whole bottle, given time, is within reason. A one-time brew, still holding up quite well after 6 months, will hold a little more for Year 26.

As a sidenote, it's interesting and appropriate for Widmer's Anniversary brew to be an altbier
Oct 14, 2009
Photo of srandycarter
Reviewed by srandycarter from California

3.99/5  rDev +7.5%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
A - Brown ale, off white sticky head reduces quick to almost nothing. Some sticky lace remains.

S - Slightly fruity, mild juicy fruit, undertow of malt.

T - Cola, fruit, middle ground malt, snappy bitter carb finish.

M - Medium body, good carb and coat. Maybe a little cloy at end.

D - Leaves massive aftertaste. I couldn't do much. One is enough and I would need a palate cleanser.
Oct 13, 2009
Photo of NeroFiddled
Reviewed by NeroFiddled from Pennsylvania

4.09/5  rDev +10.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Ahhh, I just got the name... call me slow. I never looked at the label real closely, and I didn't pick up on the "25th Anniversary" tag.

So let's see... it's a slightly hazy, very dark chestnut brown in color. A short head of creamy off-white rises up but then drops readily. Only spotty lacing is left about the glass.

The aroma is fruity and darkly caramelish. I get berries and a bit of almost scorched sugar. It's not sweetish like brown sugar, but just on the cusp of burning and becoming roasty.

In the mouth it's medium-full in body, and crisp. It's moderately carbonated, but it still gives a tingle. It's very fine bubbled... is this bottle conditioned? Those Widmer brothers do like their yeast ;)

The flavor follows the aroma to the T with the addition of some piney/spicy hops and a splash of alcohol. The hops and alcohol are almost minty in a way against the darkish malts, and it's kind of refreshing. I at least feel like I have clean breath! It's berry and dark fruit, and then caramel and then hops, followed by a smack of bitterness and then a sweet dollop of honey and brown sugar before it dries to become piney and minty dry in the finish. It's pretty much exactly what I'd expect of an alt, except for the piney hops. I'd be expecting more leafy, grassy, and spicy hops, but it's a nice twist.

But what about the "double" designation? It's certainly fuller than a standard alt, but not too much beyond a sticke, and it's certainly on-par with the Uerige Doppelsticke. Keep in mind, however, that a standard alt is a little less than, or just equal to Budweiser at 5% abv - this is definitely doubled that a whopping 9.8! I think it adds a bit of spiciness, but it never really shows itself as just alcohol.

So how to judge the drinkability? I guess, firstly, it's very well made. It's nicely rounded, displaying yeasty fruitiness, malt, and hops; and it's nicely balanced from start to finish. Except for the alcohol being a bit brash, there's really nothing to fault it for except the limited head retention (which is probably due, at least in part, to the alcohol).

And I love the fruitiness. I adore that note of sweet berry that glows amidst the dark-sugar maltiness and bitter edges.

But is there enough complexity to warrant drinkability? I'd say yes. I enjoyed it, and I'd gladly buy another bottle. It's a small glass tipple though. Certainly worth trying for fans of the alt style!
Oct 13, 2009
84/09 Double Alt (25th Anniversary Beer) from Widmer Brothers Brewing Company
Beer rating: 84 out of 100 with 46 ratings