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

nhudson

Alabama

4.33/5  rDev +8.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

I will preface this review with this, I have never had an Altbier before and also this is my first BA review. So with that said, I had this wonderful beer at the Brickstore Pub in Decatur GA yesterday. It was served to me in proper glassware a .2L glass with the breweries name printed on it. Small was of sweet malt which is something I normally don't like. I would also say that I was almost put off cause it had a hint of skunkyness to it. Once I tasted it thought the thought of that was quickly gone. It had a very nice caramel taste with just enough bitterness to round it out. The aftertaste was something I can't put my finger on, some kind of warm fruit that's just not distinguishable to me. Overall a wonderful beer that I will be wanting again soon. I might have to find a homebrew recipe for this, so I can always have some on the shelf!

Serving type: on-tap

01-14-2009 22:27:50 | More by nhudson

glid02

Georgia

4.05/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Had this on-tap at the Porter Beer Bar in Atlanta.

Pours a hazy rustic copper color with a one-finger pitted white head. The head eventually settles into a thin layer of bubbles on top and a medium-sized ring around the glass. Lacing is good.

Smells of lightly toasted caramel malt with hints of light fruits and bitterness.

Tastes similar to how it smells. The toasted caramel malts are front and center and cover up other flavors a bit too much until the beer warms, then light fruit flavors come out a bit more. There's a solid bitter ending.

Mouthfeel is very good for such a low ABV. Good thickness and creamy carbonation make this go down easily.

Drinkability is good. The flavors take a short while to get accustomed to, but I finished my glass with no problem.

Overall I was impressed - I believe this is only my second Altbier and the first wasn't as true to the style as this. Definitely give this one a shot.

Serving type: on-tap

01-04-2009 05:48:34 | More by glid02

francisweizen

Australia

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

Dark brown with not much of a head to speak of. Aromas are a bit weaker than the sticke but still consists of nuts, spices, floral/herbal hops and more. The taste is hoppy up front and malty in the middle witha good balance of the spicy/nuttiniess. Mouthfeel seems a bit thin for me but drinkability is very good. Despite its short comings this is still damn nice. It will live in the shadows when compared to the sticke though, imo.

Serving type: on-tap

01-20-2005 23:27:53 | More by francisweizen

Citadel82

New Jersey

3.9/5  rDev -2%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

The beer is overall copper colored with various shades and colors coming thru the glass. Hazy shades of orange and brown ... with a very thick head that leaves lots of lace on the glass. Plenty of carbonation bubbles up as you drink the beer.

The scent isn't too strong, but from the light malt aroma I can tell how dry this beer will be. As the beer warms, some caramel and floral hop aromas are evident.

The initial taste is extremely dry, with some mild caramel. Afterwards, long, lingering, spicy hop flavors develop.

Serving type: on-tap

12-06-2004 01:42:36 | More by Citadel82

lackenhauser

Maryland

3.2/5  rDev -19.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Very nice brown color with a very generous level of carbonation. Malty aroma with a hint of sweetness-almost a touch of cinnamon in the backround. Flavor is mostly malt-slight hop bitterness in the finish. A very slight metallic aftertaste but its not unpleasant. Good body. A drinkable beer-well worth trying after hearing about it for years. I would love to get to Germany for the real thing on tap.

Serving type: on-tap

11-04-2004 01:30:59 | More by lackenhauser

Goldorak

Quebec (Canada)

4/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4.5

Sampled at the brewery, in small highball-type glass, I'd say ~8oz serving.

Appearance: Caramel-orange/reddish with a half inch thick creamy, sticky head that died down but held on long enough.
Smell: Really piney, fresh hops
Taste: Clean maltyness with just enough hop balance. Medium carbonation and thin mouthfeel makes this brew very drinkable.

Serving type: on-tap

09-22-2004 23:10:51 | More by Goldorak

mjohn27603

Michigan

4.5/5  rDev +13.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A 11.2 oz bottle that is dated as being bottled on 4/14/04. Pours a cardboard brown leaving a three finger head that is quite pillowy and foamy. First sip - Wow! A wonderful hops taste that remains on the edges of the tongue. Not a bitter hops taste but a green taste. I had a local version of Alt beer and it was much more watery and thin with little hops flavor. This has a little more depth and something going on with the hops. When I take a bit more of a bigger sip and swish it around I get a malty taste that is present but goes away much more quickly. I have avoided getting some imports lately as they seem to go stale by the time they get here but this one tastes very good in spite of being stored out of a cooler.

Serving type: on-tap

08-01-2004 04:32:27 | More by mjohn27603

TinusTime

Virginia

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

pours a rich copper with an off white head that lingers a little longer than a good night kiss.. Smells more malty than its cousin the Uerige Sticke. Taste is also more malty. Classic Alt style brew with nice brown ale caramel and toast notes. Not nearly as hoppy in the finish as the Sticke, but its pretty darn tasty. More in line with the tradional alt style. I prefer the Sticke, but the Classic proved worth the price. Pair it with some smoked gouda, or smoked almonds for a tasty treat

Serving type: on-tap

07-15-2004 03:29:44 | More by TinusTime

putnam

Michigan

4.97/5  rDev +24.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

A grand downy mass rose over the hazel colored liquid...
f#@k that.
This beer ist unbedingt one of the besten alt biers I've ever tried. The aromas suggest lemon-candied-hay, shoe polish, frische hopfen, gun smoke und zwar - wie ist es moeglich - "brass sap."
Bottled on April 14, 2004.
On the palate it is generous with noble, walnut and cedar tannins that provide a base for emminently flowery green flower flavors. Silky and eager to melt, the texture is a dream.
For dry, nutty, brew art... this may be it.
As long as you like it herb, zehr trocken, or, in other words, as dry as an espresso-covered pine forest.

Serving type: on-tap

06-02-2004 18:39:32 | More by putnam

Jwale73

Rhode Island

4.19/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Experienced on-cask at Uerige on 4/11/2013 while visiting my good friend Thirstybird. First of three served in a .2l stange. Pours a deep amber with a semi-hazy clarity and a dense, 1.5 inch cream-colored head. Nose is malty with a hint of noble hops. Taste follows nose - the perfect balance of malt and hops with just a kiss of earthiness at the finish. Mouthfeel is medium-light in consistency with a smooth body and a slight bite at the finish. Overall, a very different animal than what is generally available in the bottle. A great session alt.

Serving type: cask

05-12-2013 14:39:24 | More by Jwale73

FLima

Brazil

3.73/5  rDev -6.3%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

Nice bottle, just careful when you open it, I got it spilled on my eyes.
Slightly hazy copper color, and it gets really murky at the last pour. Made a two finger head with medium retention and leaving laces through the glass.
Nice aroma of light toasted malts and floral and earthy hops.
More intense flavor than announced by nose with toasted malts and piney and grassy hops. Hints of caramel, earth, condiments, citrus and prunes. Dry aftertaste with a bitter hoppy feeling.
Medium body with medium carbonation.
Classic example of an Altbier, and a one hard to beat, though haven’t tried their other versions.

Serving type: bottle

02-02-2013 17:50:51 | More by FLima

acevenom

Louisiana

4.45/5  rDev +11.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured into a stange glass from a flip top bottle.. Pours hazy copper with a thin, off-white head that doesn't hang around for very long. There are some visible bubbles rising in the beer, but not many. Lacing is left down the side of the glass during consumption. The aroma is nice and malty (caramel with some brown bread) with some woody and grassy notes from the hops. The rich, yet delicate maltiness of this beer is up front with the hops providing some of that woody and grassy flavor from the hops. The malt character of this beer is bready with some mild caramel sweetness. Like a previous reviewer, I would agree there is more hop bitterness than you would expect from the aroma, but it is well-balanced with the malt backbone. There's a lot of flavor in this sub-5.0% ABV beer. The body is medium with moderate carbonation. This beer has high drinkability and a dry finish. This is an excellent beer.

Serving type: bottle

01-23-2013 23:44:01 | More by acevenom

Fatehunter

Oregon

3.95/5  rDev -0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Half finger of tan head. Copper, almost brown, colored body.
Smell is barnyardish, hay, caramel and tinge of lemon.
Taste is bitter/sweet at first, sweet caramel in the middle, long dry bitter finish. A little sourness throughout.
Medium body, low carbonation. Slightly sticky texture.
Tasty and a good altbier.

Serving type: bottle

11-12-2012 19:11:10 | More by Fatehunter

hardy008

Minnesota

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

Medium brown color with amber highlights and a large 3 finger beige head with good retention and lacing. Nice aroma with caramel malt, pears, bread, yeast, hops, and some earthiness.

The taste is somewhat different from he aroma. There are hops, biscuit malt, caramel, and some green apple. There is more bitter hops and somewhat less sweetness in the taste than the aroma suggests. Still quite nice.

Medium bodied with average carbonation and a light sweet aftertaste. A nice Altbier, which I will buy again.

Serving type: bottle

10-13-2012 22:26:29 | More by hardy008

Offa

California

4.85/5  rDev +21.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

This is phenomenal, and seems to me the benchmark for a great altbier.

Dark copper, it has a big tan head soon shrinking to a thick foamy top, some lace.

Aroma is nice caramelly toast, raisins, wood, spice, toffee hint.

Taste is caramelised toast, fruit, woody-spicy bitterness to balance and give a light bite at finish. Very well-rounded, it is complex and balanced. It's wonderful, characterful, yet easily drinkable session beer.

Serving type: bottle

08-30-2012 05:54:34 | More by Offa

Hopswagger

Oklahoma

3.98/5  rDev 0%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bottled 1/11
4263

P:  Body is murky dark brown with amber highlights that is crowned by a frothy bone colored head that fades quick but leaves thin silky lacing behind. 

S:  Rich and decadent sweet candied malts, cherry, pumpernickel bread, ginger, prunes, subtle apple and cinnamon aroma. 

T/M:  Upon first entering my mouth a quick rush of grape juice arrived then vanished instantly. Taste become much more mellow than the nose and introduces dark roasted,  almost smoked ,caramel malts. Rum soaked fruits, spicy arugula, light pine resin, clove and other roasted spices. Moderate carbonation and a medium body. Finish is dry with lingering nuts and cigarette ashes. 

O:  A great alt that is balanced, delicate and smooth. The nose is much sweeter than the taste but it's cuts the sweet perfectly. I really liked this beer it was unique and almost tricky with the switch in taste to more roasted and smoked flavor. I expected it to be similar to a sweet belgian dark ale. I recommend trying this one out. Cheers!

Serving type: bottle

08-01-2012 00:51:33 | More by Hopswagger

Megahertz

Missouri

4.05/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

11.2 oz brown flip top into a shaker. Gorgeous bottle.

A - Light brown, hazy, with a copious tan head. Carbonation appears appropriate for style. Significant lacing noted.

S - Plum and other dark fruits. Apricot? Bready background. Very pleasant.

T - Front is quite bitter with noble hops. Complex mid with caramelized sugar notes, dark fruity esters, floral-herbal hops and very mild roast. Finish is quite dry, almost black-pepper like.

M - Medium to heavy body with brisk carbonation. Outstanding.

O - What a fascinating style.

Serving type: bottle

06-01-2012 19:41:34 | More by Megahertz

StaveHooks

Oklahoma

3.65/5  rDev -8.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A - Thick 2.5 finger tan head on top of a hazel brown. The foam creates rocky mounds and retains well.

S - Toasted bready malt, tangy doughy yeasty, faint caramel.

T - Lots of bread crust, it tastes exactly like toasted bread crust. Gets roasty in the middle with caramel swirling around. A firm grassy hop bitterness brings in the finish.

M - Medium to full body with ample carbonation, peppery dry finish.

This was straightforward that would be great on a fall evening. Lots of bread with caramel and peppery hops to balance it out. If your interested in this style you should pick this one up.

Serving type: bottle

05-18-2012 02:22:51 | More by StaveHooks

smakawhat

Maryland

3.68/5  rDev -7.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Poured from the bottle into a stange glass.

A simple and nice foamy light tan head with not much staying power comes and hangs around only to fall on a good chestnut red and brown body. Body is fairly opaque and does have lots of tiny tiny rising bubbles. Nice looking beer.

Nose hints at wonderful mix of dark malts, and real fruity red sense of berries. Dry brown spices mix in with clove and nutmeg. Real wonderful.

Taste really seem to unfortunatly disappear. Extremely light palate doesn't support the big nose that seems to hint at coming. Light malts and a real wet finish don't give much sense to big tastes or textures. Almost crisp like, and a real yeast hotness on the finish with a sharp spice. Hints at woody like licorice also.

Overall it's actually fairly nice, but I think I prefer some of the other Uerige versions compared to this.

Serving type: bottle

04-19-2012 23:45:27 | More by smakawhat

falloutsnow

Illinois

4.05/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Second go:
From: Friar Tuck's, Savoy, IL
Date: Bottled 06.11, best by 06.12, drank 01.13
Poured into an Ayinger willi glass

After finding a much fresher bottle, I'm revisiting this beer, and wow, what a difference time makes. While before this was fairly bland, this "fresher" bottle is worlds different, with prominent floral, spicy, and woodsy hops with a stronger malt character and overall more powerful flavors. After just finishing a glass, I'd like another. My only complaint: $5 for a 11.2oz bottle.

Pours a 2cm head of light tan bubbles, medium-sized, somewhat like a dense sponge from the top. Head recedes over a few minutes, leaving more than modest, but not super-amazing lacing. Body is a dark brown color, opaque from sediment I poured in, with light turning the edges a slightly lighter copper-brown. Carbonation is not visible due to the opacity.

Aroma of pungent, spicy hops with some floral and forest-floor-leaf-matter undertones. Substantial caramel malts and more modest yeast hover below the hops. This is quite pleasant.

The front of the palate gets some caramel and toffee-like sweetness with a hint of brown sugar and herbal hops. Mid-palate is rather bitter, with herbal and forest-floor-leaf-matter-like hops atop sweetish brown and toasted malt flavors. Back of palate continues herbal hop bitterness along with caramel malt and even a hint of roasted grain flavor. Lingering strong bitterness in the finish, along with some minor herbal and brown malt qualities.

Beer is medium bodied, with medium-level carbonation that creates a crisp, dry mouthfeel that just borders being fizzy, but never arrives there. As the carbonation dissipates across the palate, the mouthfeel becomes quite a bit smoother. Finish is quite dry, with little stickines across the palate.

Bottle from John's Grocery in Iowa City, IA
Bottled on 02.10, best by 02.11, consumed 04.12
Brewery mentions this "keeps four weeks at least."
Poured into an Ayinger willi glass

At first I felt somewhat let down, that Uerige's "standard" alt was a ghost of its sticke and doppelsticke brethren. Then I noticed the bottled on date, and realized that this bottle was just embarrassingly old. Even so, this was fairly decent, and I will definitely keep my eye out for another, more recent, bottle.

Pours a 2cm head of light tan bubbles, medium-sized, somewhat like a dense sponge from the top. Head recedes over a few minutes, leaving a fair amount of lacing. Body is a dark brown-copper color, transparent, with actively visible carbonation.

Aroma of light caramel malts, subtle sweetness, and faint graininess.

Taste is very similar to smell, fairly muted from age (I assume), mostly faint caramel malts, sweetness, and graininess.

Beer still medium bodied, with medium-level carbonation that creates, at first, a crisp mouthfeel that gradually soothes into being quite a bit smoother. Finish is dry.

Serving type: bottle

04-10-2012 05:59:29 | More by falloutsnow

dbrauneis

New Jersey

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

A: Pours a hazy mahogany brown with a two finger tall light tan head. The head dissipates down to a eight inch ring of bubbles around the edge of the glass. There is significant lacing.

S: Aromas of caramel malts, floral hops, and some breadiness.

T: Flavors are primarily the malts upfront - caramel, bready, and roasted - followed by bitterness and hints of yeast. I would describe the taste as complex but easy to enjoy. Slightest hint of pepper in the finish as the beer warms.

M: Medium bodied with moderate carbonation and a dry finish.

O: Quite easy to drink and very sessionable. Enjoyable flavor and low ABV

Serving type: bottle

02-09-2012 22:43:35 | More by dbrauneis

soju6

Missouri

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

11.2 oz swing-top bottle.

A: Pours a dark copper color with a good head and nice lacing.

S: Mild aroma of roasted malt and some caramel. A bit of fruit and hint of grain. Aroma blossoms as it warms.

T: Flavor of roasted malt, bit of caramel sweetness, hint of spice and chocolate. A nice subtle bitterness and a dry finish.

F: Fairly medium body, smooth and creamy. Very well balanced.

O: A very easy drinking beer. A great example of the style. Well worth checking this one out.

Serving type: bottle

02-01-2012 22:52:07 | More by soju6

ArrogantBastage

Maryland

3.98/5  rDev 0%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Bottled: 02.10

11.2 oz bottle poured into glass, careful to avoid the sediment.

A- Deep, rich copper color with a thin head that dissipates quickly leaving a thin ring that hangs on for the remainder of the review.

S- Rich malt with a slight toffee aroma lingering in the background, fresh bread and biscuity malt appear after the beer warms a bit. Raisins appear in the aroma as well.

T- Loaded with rich malt, slightly tart and then a nice hop bitterness rolls in. The finish dries slightly leaving just enough malt and hops to linger between sips.

M- Light body, slightly watery, carbonation is barely there but seems to give a nice lift to the beer helping to add a little bitterness and accentuate the malt.

D- Very drinkable, loaded with malt flavor. Very easy to have more than one in an evening. Recommended.

Serving type: bottle

01-07-2012 21:56:56 | More by ArrogantBastage

liamt07

Ontario (Canada)

3.98/5  rDev 0%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bottle from Premier Gourmet, split with Steve. 11.2oz cool looking swing-top, bottled 01-11.

Poured an orange brown, with a clear body (careful to avoid the gratuitous amount of sediment at the bottom of the bottle on the first pour). Off-white head that leaves a bit of a collar and bit of retention. Nose is fruitier than most alts I've come across, predominantly plum but some general dark fruits otherwise. Some notes almost resembling brown sugar, and sweet dark breads. Taste has some dried dark fruits, more plum as per the nose, dry and bready notes. Grassy and distinct Noble hops notes in the finish, with a big herbal and earthy quality. Mouthfeel is medium light, with a medium low carbonation and substantial hop character in the finish. Quite nice all around, and having a greater fruit character than most altbiers I've had before. Certainly could been better if a bit fresher, but certainly a style I've warming up to quite a bit.

Serving type: bottle

12-23-2011 03:51:26 | More by liamt07

foles

Australia

4.88/5  rDev +22.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Enjoyed from the barrel at Uerige in the Dusseldorf Altstadt on a sunny, busy Sunday afternoon. It's taken me two visits to Dusseldorf to establish this, but this is close to the best beer I have ever had. Rich malt, smooth, dry (while being soft in the mouth), bitter, with the raw, heavy, hop flavour that appears to have come from a heavy bucketload of spalt hops (my personal favourite german hop).

I truly wonderful beer experience.

Serving type: cask

09-29-2011 06:09:10 | More by foles