Uerige Altbier (Classic) - Uerige Obergärige Hausbrauerei GmbH / Zum Uerige

Sachsenfreude

Germany

5/5  rDev +25.6%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

The perfect Altbier! Not a single characteristic could be changed for the better.

appearance; thick and sticky off white head. Excellent retention and lovely lacing. The main body is a slightly cloudy, weathered bronze.

smell; perfect blend of roasted malt and herbal hops. Definitely some sweetness in there that is too complex to describe.

taste; warm toasty malts with some burnt chocolate flavors, then the hops kick in, very spicy and balancing, with just a breathe of alcohol sweetness. Raw licorice with no sugar added, beautifully bitter but not overwhelming. The aftertaste is somewhat earthy and grainy with hints of cocoa powder.

mouthfeel; a bit creamy and thick on the palate but easy and light to swallow. Leaves a bit of stickyness on the mouth.

drinkability; I drank three in ten minutes need I say more...

It's hard to do this beer a justice, as adjectives worthy enough to describe it simply don't exist! My favorite beer in the world...possible, the best Altbier in the world...definitely!

Serving type: bottle

03-14-2011 14:36:47 | More by Sachsenfreude

B967ierhunter177

Pennsylvania

3.35/5  rDev -15.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

Uerige Alt (Classic) pours an auburn color with a thin head that lasts. The aroma is a mix of caramel, chocolate, and toast that leads to a flavor with caramel, dark chocolate, and anise notes. Very well balanced. It's got a medium-full mouthfeel that is very filling. This is a good altbier. Recommended.

Serving type: bottle

03-06-2011 09:15:27 | More by B967ierhunter177

njmoons

New Jersey

4.2/5  rDev +5.5%
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Good Stuff

A: Dark golden brown. Poured with a good two fingers of foam, which dissipated quickly.

S: Malt, caramel, bready. The initial taste is sweet malt, the hop bitterness takes over in a pleasant balanced way, and there is a distinct breadiness (biscuit) in the finish.very tasty.

M: Very nice, enough body to match the maltiness, but in line with the balance of the beer.

D: I could drink them all day long based on flavor and ABV!!

Serving type: bottle

02-15-2011 18:59:53 | More by njmoons

nickfl

Florida

4.13/5  rDev +3.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Pours with half a finger of off white foam on top of a copper-brown body with good clarity. The foam settles slowly and leaves light lace.

S - Toasted malt and light toffee with a very slight hint of fruity yeast in the background.

T - Rich malt with lots of toast and dry caramel up front. Some darker malt notes of plum and raisin come out in the middle with a light, earthy hop flavor. The beer finishes with lots of dry toast and moderate hop bitterness that effectively balances the residual sweetness of the malt.

M - Medium body, moderate carbonation, and a slightly dry finish.

D - Quite nice and much more malty than I expected it to be. There is a lot of toast and caramel with some surprising fruity notes. The hops are present, and while they are not particularly intense, they balance the malt while also adding a light, spicy touch to the beer.

Serving type: bottle

01-31-2011 07:55:00 | More by nickfl

metter98

New York

4.08/5  rDev +2.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

A: The beer is hazy brownish amber in color and has a light amount of visible carbonation. It poured with a finger high off beige head that slowly died down and left a thick ring of bubbles around the edge of the glass.
S: There are light aromas of caramel malts and floral hops in the nose.
T: The taste is somewhat complex has flavors of bready, caramel and roasted malts as well as some yeast and a mild amount of bitterness.
M: It feels medium-bodied on the palate with a moderate amount of carbonation. There is a bit of dryness in the finish.
D: The beer is easy to drink and the low alcohol content makes it quite sessionable.

Serving type: bottle

01-26-2011 22:50:44 | More by metter98

mikeg67

New Jersey

3.48/5  rDev -12.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

.33L bottle, 11 month old. Pours amber color with foamy, white, long lasting head. Good lacing, some carbonation. Aroma of hops and caramel malt. Light to medium body, tangy at first then somewhat sweet. Moderate earthy hops dominate the flavor with caramel malt, brown sugar and dark fruit provide some balance. Long earthy hops finish. Decent brew but, personally, I would prefer local hoppy ambers. Maybe I'll try a fresher bottle next time.

Serving type: bottle

12-07-2010 20:42:34 | More by mikeg67

dasenebler

Maine

3.78/5  rDev -5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

.5L purchased at the Altstadt brewhouse. Bottled 11/2/10.

Rich, clear copper-brown, darker than most Alts. Small head retains admirably and laces well.

Aroma has some toasty, lightly roasted malts and sulfuric acidity.

Flavor is crisp and bitter, with an underlying malty backbone of nutty caramel, albeit subtle. Bitterness kind of dominates, making for a slightly unbalanced drinking experience. Lacking in hop flavor. Drinkability is however very high, as this brown ale is still remarkably light. Mouthfeel is medium-carboanted, and drinks smoothly.

What is the deal with some of these Alts being disproportionately bitter? (And I am a guy who loves IPAs.) I tend to enjoy the more balanced examples of the style, such as Schlüssel and Schumacher.

Serving type: bottle

11-12-2010 18:41:51 | More by dasenebler

flagmantho

Washington

3.68/5  rDev -7.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Poured from 330mL bottle into a pint glass. This was bottled February 2010.

Appearance: rich, hazy dark brown body with a thin finger of ivory foam. Pretty tasty looking.

Smell: light aroma, but its composition is quite nice. Very malty, sweet and a little fruity. I like it.

Taste: caramelly malt flavor, but rather dry. Noble hops are definitely present and there is a nice balancing bitterness. Flavor is also slightly biscuity. This is a good beer but it doesn't exactly float my boat.

Mouthfeel: nice body; medium with good carbonation. Overall, quite creamy and refreshing.

Drinkability: a solid beer, but as I said it's not precisely my cup of tea. Totally drinkable, though.

Serving type: bottle

09-04-2010 20:33:32 | More by flagmantho

sliverX

New York

4.1/5  rDev +3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured a light copper/brown semi clear a steady stream of bubbles cascade to the top of the glass, thin white head that hung around real well for how thin it started at.
Smell is a very sweet malt profile with an apple like fruitiness.
Taste is malty, slight burnt malt lingering taste, the smell is represented in the taste but it takes a back seat to a very bread like character.
Mouthfeel is very lively on the tongue medium bodied.
Drinkability this is said to be one of the most sought after altbiers and is deserving so. Can't wait to try the other 2 from the brewery.

Serving type: bottle

06-14-2010 01:52:09 | More by sliverX

Japerrault

Idaho

4.08/5  rDev +2.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A: Hazy brown ale with a thin creamy head.

S: Roasted malt, caramel, toffey, resiny/spicey hops.

T: From the aroma, I was expecting a sweet malty ale, but this one is quite dry. Really no sweet at all. Roasted grain and somewhat smokey tones come through first, followed by some hops bitterness in the finish.

M: Quite light and dry feeling. Carbonation is good.

D: This is a fairly light easy drinking beer, but the bitterness from the roasted grain, and the hops may be a turnoff to some. I like it.

Serving type: bottle

05-23-2010 02:25:18 | More by Japerrault

sachsich

South Carolina

4.1/5  rDev +3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Another great beer from Uerige! Its a little bit thinner than their Sticke, but thats to be expected. Little to no head on the beer but good lacing. Great amber color with great taste, mouthfeel and drinkability. This is a great session beer where you can have many without getting full

Serving type: bottle

02-20-2010 21:45:39 | More by sachsich

jstilwell

Massachusetts

1.73/5  rDev -56.5%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 1

Tried a sample at Bogies Beer and Wine beer -n- chocolate tasting.

Stepped out last minute with a buddy to pick up a few things and grab some samples. Its actually been a while since I offered up a negative review...Here goes:

Pour is clear amber copper with an off white head. Not much aroma here, a bit peppery with maybe some mild nut undertones. Time for the taste, not good. My pal greg spontaneously uttered, "Tastes like a telephone pole" which was agreed upon by some surrounding sippers. This is dry, thin, unpleasant, and unique...in a bad a way. There is a taste in there somewhat reminiscent of rye, but almost like chemicals or shoe polish or something. No drain to dump 3oz. sample so we sucked it up.

As I look at the postive reviews, I can only imagine this does not hold up well, and is far better fresh or on tap.

drinkability? HAHAHAHAHAHA

Serving type: bottle

02-12-2010 17:35:18 | More by jstilwell

corby112

Pennsylvania

2.93/5  rDev -26.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Pours a cloudy dark chestnut color with ruddy mahogany edges and a two finger frothy beige head that quickly settles into a lasting ring. Minimal lacing.

Sweet dark fruit aroma with hints of licorice, peppery spice and chocolate malt.

Slightly watered down mouthfeel with some nutty/chocolate malts, sweet dark fruit notes, licorice, saaz hops and a slightly dry metallic finish.

Serving type: bottle

11-07-2009 07:04:19 | More by corby112

RedBrewer83

Oregon

4.47/5  rDev +12.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured into Chimay goblet. Been looking forward to this one for awhile.

A: Pours a dark chocolate amber with hints of orange in the light, not a huge head, only about one finger that quickly falls to a thin foam.

S: Pleasant aroma of toasted biscuit malt, faint toffee, yeast and just a hint of hops. Not overly complex or big, but very well rounded and full, very classic alt style nose.

T: Wonderfully balanced flavor in this beer, almost the perfect flavor profile for an alt style beer. Very bready with just a hint of toffee, the yeast flavors really come through and the crisp hops on the finish provide just enough bitterness to give this a clean finish. Very nice!

M: Light to medium body, very smooth and clean on the palate with a crisp finish.

D: This beer is extremely drinkable; flavor and mouth-feel combine to create a fantastically smooth beer! Really love this one!

Serving type: bottle

09-15-2009 03:59:52 | More by RedBrewer83

robertjohnson

Washington

4.28/5  rDev +7.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Pours a clear copper-brown with a white head that clings to the glass in a white ring. Leaves some lacing behind.

I get a pecan/walnut nuttiness, toffee, and breadcrust on the nose. I perceived the aromas being sweeter than the actual beer itself.

Right up front I get toasted malt and breadcrust. There seems to be a growing caramel sweetness with a touch of prunes that gets balanced out by some tea-like hop bitterness. There's a lingering dry finish with some very slight roast to it, maybe some pine-like resins. Smooth mouthfeel.

There's just something very sessionable about this beer. I think it's that up front sweetness and dry finish with a smooth mouthfeel. Not sure, but I like it.

Serving type: bottle

08-24-2009 01:17:17 | More by robertjohnson

erz316

Indiana

4.35/5  rDev +9.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

custom 330ml bottle into POM stange. bottled on 05.03, code 0406 (whatever the hell that means).

A - this beer is a bit explosive, a lot of head forms when pouring, so watch out. this looks almost exactly like the Sticke: dark copper colour, highly effervescent. there is some haziness caused by yeast, but that is the only ostensible difference from the Sticke. same great head and lacing, as with retention.

S - nose is nowhere near as strong as the Sticke. the nose is very light, but is a pretty balanced combination between the hops and malt varieties. if anything was to particularly stick out it would be the caramel malts.

T - despite the nose, the body is quite dynamic and tasty. almost every one of the hops used makes a debut in some part of this beer. initial taste is the hops, roasted and barley malts duking it out for majority. the taste comes off slightly more malty than hoppy. the hops are a simple bitter taste, maybe a bit like grapefruit rind. the finish has a spurt of alcohol comes out, though hardly much in comparison to the other. the majority of the finish is sweeter caramel malts, not a really big hop presence here; finish is also a bit dry, which is a good touch. the aftertaste is a very subtle malt flavour, some hops, and a good chunk of yeast, lending the beer to have almost bready characteristics at certain moments.

MF&D - they nailed the feel on this one, it is a solid medium body with a medium amount of carbonation. bingo, right on the mark. the drinkabilty is also very exceptional, but maybe this is because I dont particularly enjoy this style, I would be hard pressed to have another. other than that fact, no aspect of the beer hampers the drinkability, which is the main important thing here.

Serving type: bottle

08-14-2009 22:42:51 | More by erz316

clayrock81

Virginia

4/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured a cloudy leather brown w/ orange tints and a little bit of floaties along with a two-finger offwhite head that slowly receeds. Smell is slightly sweet, slightly nutty/yeast with some minor fruity hops in there as well. Medium-bodied and slightly chewey, this is a dry beer but still rich and smooth and easy down the hatch. Has a biscuit/bread/nutty taste along with some slightly sticky and sweet malts. Hop bitterness leads to a dry backbite that balances the beer with some fruit flavors. A great beer to just chill out with.

Serving type: bottle

08-14-2009 21:36:32 | More by clayrock81

superdedooperboy

Georgia

4.6/5  rDev +15.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Attractive 11.2 oz. flip-top bottle poured into a Stange. "Bottled on 01.09" clearly printed on the neck label, with "Code 01.10" printed as well. Ingredients are listed: Wasser, Gerstenmalz, Caramelmalz, Röstmalz, Doldenhopfen, and Uerige-Hefe. Alcohol content stated at 4.7% by volume.

A nice pop from the release of the cap; pours a slightly hazed deep copper hue, giving rise to a one-fingered head of creamy beige foam, showing moderate retention, fading to a thick cap that leaves behind thick rings of lace on the walls of the slender glass.

Aroma is nicely complex, showing a very clean mix of rich, caramel sweetness, a mild essence of juicy sweet plum, and a kiss of noble hop perfume.

Fairly light in body with a nice cleansing carbonated mouthfeel. Toasty, biscuit-like malt lays underneath a wildly assertive bitter hop presence, somewhat grass-like and extremely dry, carrying things over into a bone-dry, slightly nutty, earthy, mildly mineral-like and quite bitter finish that lingers for ages.

A perfect quaffer if ever there was one, with such a wonderful complexity not found in lagers but with that clean, crisp lager character thanks to the lagering period involved. A top-notch Altbier, and one of the exemplars of the style; I can't wait to someday try this vom Fass at the source in the Düsseldorfer Altstadt. Delicious, drinkable, and delectable. I want another.

Serving type: bottle

08-02-2009 02:30:35 | More by superdedooperboy

rtepiak

Poland

4.22/5  rDev +6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

a very drinkable and elaborate alt. dark amber with a mild head. clean with consistent bubbles coming up. nose is malty brown sugar with a smoky quality. palate is that with a bold bitter leather quality that is a bit sour smoky. this could be a big turn off seeing as this one doesn't seem as malty as others. not particularly sweet going down but earthy bitter with a oily resin quality in the malt. i don't know if the crisp quality does the style justice. the sweetness seemed to hide the bitter smoke before. this is well. just as drinkable but in a different manner. very flavorful but very light weight. dry and oily too. walnut. apple and a pilsner bitter finish. a must for the style. a great 'lighter' beer to go with must food... particularly seasoned poultry.

Serving type: bottle

06-15-2009 05:43:54 | More by rtepiak

DigitalHype

Arizona

3.73/5  rDev -6.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

330ml
Bottled 03.09.

Nice pop on the hinged cork. Dark amber to copper color. Producing 1cm creamy off-white head, that quicky faded to modest covering. Slight bit of lacing. Small amount of sediment present in the pour.

Floral hops with bright citrus, and overall fruity, refreshing nose.

Well balanced hop bitterness. Bit of sour apple. Mild yeast and bread malts.

Carbonation is moderately heavy. Making it a little bit crisp and refreshing.

Overall, this is very good, and easily drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

05-02-2009 01:08:52 | More by DigitalHype

beerorRIP

New Jersey

4/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

poured from a swing-top to a clear stange: yields a fluffy off-white head. actually poured a bit too aggressive and needed to settle a bit before i could get the rest in. the body is a nice deep copper color, with some sediment rocking around from the bubbles streaming to the top. some lacing is evident.

smells like some bready and crisp malt. not too much in the nose for hops. a touch of caramel or honey (some sweet type of smell) is there, subtle yet nice.

the taste is interesting. the initial malt and caramel, which is not too sweet, is then followed by ample hop bitterness. a nice dry finish to it as well. it's simple in it's purpose, but well balanced.

the mouthfeel is medium to nearly light body. the carbonation is nice and tingly. keeps things moving and a feeling of refreshment.

i could drink this kind of beer in a session without much issue. if only it weren't so pricey... and more available.

Serving type: bottle

04-21-2009 00:18:30 | More by beerorRIP

bluemoonswoon

Illinois

3.85/5  rDev -3.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

First altbier evar, let's see how it goes. Sweet looking swing top bottle, poured into the closest thing I have to a stange, an imperial pint glass.

A: Clear medium brown maybe with a touch of vermilion highlights, not much of a head to speak of sort of loose and soapy that sticks around in a cap but leaves behind no lacing whatsoever.

S: Interesting aroma and one that I am not all that familiar with, toasty, slightly woody, almost dusty mustiness, nutty, not much hop aroma that I can detect, or at least that I am familiar with, I mean there is a touch of fruitiness here, but very faded at that.

T/MF: Bitterness is here in terms of feel but not really in terms of hop flavor, I can feel the bitterness constricting the back of my tongue, roasty almost charred malts, very nutty/woody. A little bit of warmth brings out some more complexity. The floral aspects of this beer become more apparent now mixing with the incredibly toasted malts that makes for a very involved drinking experience.

D: We are getting into some seriously sessionable terms here, big on complexity, big flavor and feel and little on ABV adds up to some pretty impressive drinkablility. If only I were in Germany this beer might be a little more reasonable to have a massive supply of.

Serving type: bottle

04-07-2009 01:55:51 | More by bluemoonswoon

DIPAbrewer

Delaware

4.4/5  rDev +10.6%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Great big fluffy off white head drops very slowly to reveal good lacing. Healthy brown color with a slight haze, this one is bottle conditioned so I'll let it slide.

Crisp malty aroma, faint spicy hops in the nose, subdued fruity esters.

Sharp clean bitterness up front followed by a clean dry cracker like malt profile. Super dry middle with subtle spicy hops. Faintly fruity but very clean at the end.

Very well carbonated, very drinkable and well balanced. Great example of the alt style and I would definitely recommend this to anyone.

Serving type: bottle

04-06-2009 23:07:36 | More by DIPAbrewer

Jimbo87

Virginia

1.68/5  rDev -57.8%
look: 4 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 1

I didn't notice this until after I drank it. But it says bottled on 05.03. Regarless of whether that is month then year, day then month, etc, this is old. But if either of those stands for year, then this is insanely old, and that could explain my experience. Here is what I wrote as I drank this:

"Dark but somewhat clear. Smells of sweet chocolate, grain. Smells very sweet.

Taste is surprisingly dry. Not sweet. Can taste chocolate note. Followed by a medicinal, bitterness. Bitterness nearly unpleasant. Medicinal aftertaste lingers in a bad way. It almost seems like something is wrong with it.

As I sip on, I'm realizing I hate this. It's making me nauseous. I understand that drain pouring seems wrong, but I feel like I'm drinking poison. Such a bitter aftertaste but not from hops. Now I feel it smells overwhelmingly of a sickly sweetlike smell that I hate. Nauseating. But honestly, I might be hating the smell now just because I'm associating it with this awful taste.

OK, I think I've settled down. I'm not going to die. This is probably not dangerous to drink, but I have an extremely strong feeling that this is not what this is supposed to taste like. I feel like this beer went bad. But it's not skunked. The "skunked" taste is delicious next to this nasty poison aftertaste."

That was a few hours ago. I was actually worried that some crazy person poured snake venom or something into this and that I might die. The only reason I don't really think that's possible is that there was such a fresh pop sound as I opened the bottle. The bottle is awesome, by the way.

I really wanted to like this. Honestly. I almost ordered an altbier glass just for this. I was looking forward to tasting a new style. But this ended up being the worst beer experience I've ever had, by far. This must have gotten infected or something. Or maybe age just makes this beer revolting.

I don't think many people will ever have this experience. It wasn't like "I hate the taste of this beer because it's too hoppy/sweet/sour/etc," it was truly "I'm not sure if this is toxic or not."

I'll try it fresh one day. But I'll be extremely nervous when I do.

Serving type: bottle

03-05-2009 04:48:54 | More by Jimbo87

brewcrew76

Wisconsin

4.43/5  rDev +11.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Dated 25.11 on the bottle

A - Hazy, raisin, chectnut color with a thin tan head the fades immediately.

S - Robust aroma, caramel and grainy malts, nutty, raisins, figs and a hint of honey.

T - Caramel malt with a herbal quality, slightly nutty, fruity, hint of grapes.

M - Somewhat thin and tea like but it works well. Balanced with a dry finish.

D - I liked this one the best of the 3 and found it the most complex.

Serving type: bottle

01-24-2009 03:51:46 | More by brewcrew76