Was very good this year. Estimated 6.2% abv and for the first time they used Hersbrucker hops. It was way more balanced than usually and dangerously drinkable. The hop flavor was noticeable but not overwhelming. Also unusual, we were sitting outside at 9:30pm in short sleeve shirts. This is the extension of a run I never thought I'd make -- every October Sticke since my first in 1998 (plus a few January ones in there). With data points a year apart it is hard to judge, but this was one of my favorites. And as luck would have it, tomorrow is the Stike at Schlüssel so we get a two-for this trip
Do all of the altstadt breweries release theirs around the same time of year or is it just a little bit of luck being able to get two? Related, is the Schumacher 1838er considered a Sticke or is it simply a different altbier in addition to their normal one?
I have been following you and @spartan1979 on Facebook. Maybe next year, it looks like a bucket list trip.
Schumacher releases a Latzenbier that is their Sticke. It's not every year that Uerige and Schlüssel are back to back.
They don't all release them at the same time, no. Although some of them, like Uerige and Schlüssel, are usually released pretty close to one another, at least in Fall. I don't think you'll ever be able to get different ones on the same day though. Schumacher's 1838 is just another Alt, although it is very hoppy and almost more reminiscent of a Pale Ale. They call their Sticke "Latzenbier", which is also pretty hoppy for a Sticke.
Is the Schumacher Latzenbier only available one day? I plan to be in Düsseldorf the 3rd Monday of November (the Monday after the 3rd Thursday).
I think like Uerige they serve it until it runs out. Sometimes goes into the next day but I wouldn't expect to last until Monday. Might be bottles, though.
They definitely bottle it, I had one in September. Quite nice, although I still prefered the Uerige Sticke.
I know they bottle it but the question is how long the bottles last. Uerige often sells out of bottles on Sticke Day.