I’ve been back from Deutschland for more than 30 years and I still am looking for anything, other then brewing myself, anything close to the beautiful Altstadt Altbier from Germany
There are a few widely available American takes on altbier around locally - notably Long Trail's Double Bag and Long Trail Ale and Tuckerman's Headwall. I thought Rising Tide Ishmael was pretty decent. Tributary had one on tap recently - this past spring? I get muddled about time. Stickes pop up from time to time and some of them have been fairly good. It's been a long, long time since I had an authentic altbier - if, in fact, I've ever really had one. I think I might find an old ale closer in spirit to a real German altbier but, like I said, it's been a long time. Have you tried Smutty Really Old Brown Dog? And Dieu du Ciel's Invasion Brettanique was very most excellent - although the funk probably isn't what you're remembering.
papposilenus, I’ve had all those andbthe two that are the closest are Long Trail's Double Bag and Smutty Really Old Brown Dog. Both close. I brewed my own as well so I spoiled myself worse! The recipe from NFG Homebrew is what I remember. Hopefully Altstadt Altbier will come out here to New England from Texas and I can see if it’s the same. Thanks
Not sure how it compares to Alstadt (haven't had that) but Springdale's alt "Ein Dussel" is one of the few out there and I think it's one of the better beers they make.
I'm asking this out of total ignorance, not as a challenge, but how can 11% ABV Really Old Brown Dog be very similar to 4.8% Altstadt? It never would have occurred to me to find Long Trail Ale particularly similar to VOBD either so I'm genuinely confused/interested.
This was my reaction too. Alt beer is very low in alcohol in the traditional style of Dusseldorf. I've always referred to Long Trail when thinking of a US Altbier. That drinks smoother though. Proper Dusseldorf Alt's have this sort of bite to them. Long Trail has smoothed that out of the profile.
I wouldn't compare it to Altstadt per se (never having had it) but, in style, I find it similar to a sticke, which is sort of like an imperial altbier - or maybe a triple altbier if there were such a thing, god forbid - altbiers, broadly, being the topic under discussion.
While I recognize you prefer to purchase a Dusseldorf style Altbier but homebrewing is likely to be the best option here. I homebrew an Altbier once a year. If you are a beer trader I would suggest that you try and obtain Olde Mecklenburg Copper Ale. I discussed this beer in a past New Beer Sunday thread: https://www.beeradvocate.com/community/threads/new-beer-sunday-week-574.388204/#post-4532126 Cheers!
Your your right on the content. Even the Altbier I brewed myself was a double. Trying to get the Altbier I remember is more of a nostalgia and love of the taste of a true Alt which reminds me of my time in Deutschland
