Get to know a unique style of beer that is often overlooked - altbier! This unique beer is neither an ale nor a lager, but a hybrid of the two. Its unusual brewing process results in a flavor that is simply one-of-a-kind, making it a must-try beer for those looking for something beyond your usual offerings. Discover the tantalizing flavors of altbier from Germany and you won't regret it!

Altbier: Germany’s Unique Pale Ale

With the country of Germany being known for producing some of the world’s best beer, it should come as no surprise that they have their own unique style – Altbier. This type of beer is far different than the ones many are used to, as it’s not a purely an ale, nor is it a lager. It has some of the best qualities of both, which is the result of its unusual brewing process. As a result, it has an entirely distinctive flavor that is often under-appreciated, so let’s explore what makes Altbier so special.

A Brief History

Before beginging to dive into the beer itself, it’s important to know a little about how it first came to exist. This type of beer has origins as far back as the 13th Century, more specifically from the area around the city of Dusseldorf. During this time, this beer was simply called “Alt,” meaning old in German, due to it being top-fermented while other beers were still bottom-fermented. It was commonly enjoyed by the everyday person, and had such a presence that it still lives to this day.

Altbier’s Unique Brewing Process

As previously mentioned, it’s the unique brewing process that sets Altbier apart from other types of beers. To start, the grains used to make Altbier are typically a mix of pilsner and Munich. Whereas many beers are exclusively top-fermented, Altbier is a hybrid of sorts, as it is first top-fermented, but then goes through a fermentation process where it is conditioned at cool temperatures similar to lagers. This way, the beer has the characteristics of both styles – the crisp, clean flavors of a lager, with the fruity, often intense flavors of an ale.

Types of Altbier

There are several types of Altbier for people to choose from, each with their own distinct flavor profiles. Before exploring each type, it’s worth mentioning that due to its unusual brewing process, each type is fairly light when compared to other beers.

1. Düsseldorf Altbier – This type is considered to be amongst the most popular, as it can be found in the old city of Düsseldorf itself. It is considered to be the base of Altbier and creates a balance between the malty and bitter flavors. It’s flavor profile consists of biscuit, caramel and light citrus.
2. Märzen Altbier – Also referred to as a “Marzenbier”, this type is essentially a stronger version of Düsseldorf Altbier. It still maintains the same flavors, but the addition of a higher ABV (alcohol by volume) means that it is usually darker in color.
3. Weissbier Altbier – With this particular type, brewers usually add wheat as well as lager yeast for a unique light, tangy flavor. It results in a very sessionable beer, with a light taste of cloves, banana, and spice.

Food Pairings

When it comes to food pairings, Altbier should be paired with dishes that compliment the beer’s unique sweet, malty flavoring. Here are a few dishes to keep in mind:

• Roasted Pork or Pork Chops – These dishes’ lightly salted flavors pair well with the malty sweetness of the Altbier.
• Roast Chicken – The beer’s sweetness works well with the roasted chicken’s light, crisp flavors.
• Cheese-Based Dishes – Altbier complements dishes such as mac and cheese, fondue, and even freshly baked bread.

Altbier is a distinctly German beer that stands out from the others due to its unusual and complex brewing process. Though different from traditional ales and lagers, it has the best qualities of each in one, resulting in a light and crisp brew with just the right amount of malty sweetness. With that being said, Altbiers are

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