Diebels Alt - Brauerei Diebels GmbH & Co KG

HardTarget

Texas

3.25/5  rDev -14.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Aroma: A bready yeast and light malt mingle in a fresh aroma. Some light esters? Whiff of an almost Belgian yeast banana or dark fruit smell.
Appearance: A clear amber-brown with a fluffy light tan head of mostly tiny bubbles.
Flavor: Somewhat like a cross between a Pilsner and an Oktoberfest. Nice balance between malt and hop, both show up, but hops take the lead resulting in a nice hop taste and bitter. Some tea flavor and a very mild metallic taste were noted.
Mouthfeel: Medium body and carbonation. A clean dry finish, no oils.
Overall Impression: My first Alt beer, so I really don’t have much to compare it to. It’s pretty good, rich taste, nice appearance, and a clean finish. The rich taste makes me think it would be a hard session. I’m happy after one, but glad I tried the style.

Serving type: bottle

06-08-2004 23:40:50 | More by HardTarget

RenoZymurgist

Nevada

3.28/5  rDev -13.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured a rich amber-brown ale with a white head that started about an inch or so thick and subsided to a 1/4 inch and left a little lace. The aroma is of toasted malts with a touch of sweetness. The flavor is very dry and begins with a rush of carbonic bite and a dry toasted malt that reminds me of black tea. There is a bit of hops in the bitterness and it is sort of floral but it seems not present enough for me to be able to describe it well. The bitterness lingers into the finish and lends a further crispness to this ale. The mouthfeel is very dry and the carbonic bite is a bit out of balance and takes away from the maltiness. This is a great and flavorful session beer though my favorite in the style is still Zum Ueridge.

Serving type: bottle

09-09-2005 03:35:32 | More by RenoZymurgist

JBogan

Nevada

3.28/5  rDev -13.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured a deep copper color with reddish tint. Thick tan head which turned into a thin film after a few minutes. Minimal lacing left behind.

Smelled of malt and bread, perhaps a bit of coffee in there too. Nice aroma.

Malty presence with a small amount of what tasted like tobacco. Still some coffee bean in the background as well.

Mouthfeel was decent but perhaps a bit flat. I've been drinking pilsners all week so maybe that's the reason it felt this way in my mouth compared to what I'd been used to. Smooth but unexciting.

All in all, a pretty drinkable brew. Not my favorite style, but it's reasonably priced and fairly easy to get so if the mood strikes me for this style beer again, I would consider this one.

Serving type: bottle

01-29-2008 12:38:16 | More by JBogan

HappyHourHero

Indiana

3.43/5  rDev -10%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Tall pale-cream colored head holds strong. After several minutes it left a few specs of lace as it morphed into a scattered film. Not much in the aroma, just some musty/grainy malt. Not much flavor, just a slight pale malt sweetness, nothing from the darker malts, and hardly any hops. It tastes more like a Pils. I really like Altbiers and I know there aren't a whole lot out there, but you can do better.

Serving type: bottle

01-05-2007 21:30:13 | More by HappyHourHero

Globetrotter

Virginia

3.45/5  rDev -9.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Found in a Vienna supermarket, this brown 33cl bottle has a thin neck and a green and gold label featuring a buck jumping over some barley stalks above the name. Purity law applies. Best before 11/27/07, I opened it on 2/3/07.

Pours a clear deep copper hue under a one finger off-white head that fades quickly to film and collar, leaving only a couple of lace strings behind. The nose is mild, with just a hint of grain. The mouth is light and very prickly. The taste is mild at first, with just a bit of dark bread and no caramel. Then the hops kick in, crisp and spicey, leaving a nice dry bitterness in the mouth. Espresso notes linger well into the aftertaste, begging for another sip to relieve the parched palate. This is not a great or exciting beer, but it is contagious. Must have another...

Serving type: bottle

02-03-2007 22:49:31 | More by Globetrotter

Absumaster

Netherlands

3.45/5  rDev -9.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

A dark copper beer with a settling white head.

A slightly roasted smell with some malt and a trace of chocolatemalt.

Taste is clean. The malt is a bit straw-like and combines nicely with the roasted chocolate malt. There is an earthy taste to this beer, a bit of husk, which makes the beer a bit dry and astringent. Aftertaste is dry and light roasted.

Serving type: bottle

12-24-2008 13:32:23 | More by Absumaster

BlackHaddock

United Kingdom (England)

3.5/5  rDev -8.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

0.5 Litres in the ‘Berliner Republic’ a fun bar in Berlin where the beer prices go up and down like a beer stock market: there is a big screen to see how the prices are moving, choose a beer than is cheap obviously!

I had a lovely tour of the brewery a long time ago, well before BA came into being and we were given some small barrels of this beer to pour ourselves in the tasting lounge: great fun.

This wasn’t the best draught Alt I’ve had, but it wasn’t the worst either, nor was it as fresh as the beer I remember from that brewery trip. It looked fine though, nice brown colour, a cross between mahogany and oak: on top sat a thin off-white covering of bubbles, which soon left the scene.

The smell was semi-sweet malty molasses with a hop backdrop.

The flavours are malty at first, the hops arriving a bit later in the mouth feel to give the beer a mini bite and a mild bitter finish.

Body depth about right, not rich or deep, but enough to carry the flavours and alcohol content without any problems.

Serving type: on-tap

03-09-2012 14:27:19 | More by BlackHaddock

biegaman

Ontario (Canada)

3.53/5  rDev -7.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured with good head, a nice colour - like a burnt amber, mahogony highlights. Awesome chalky, mineraly nose. Some amber/caramalyzed malt comes through first. Heavy in the mouth, but a somewhat dry finish leaves it more light-medium bodied. Fairly malty overall, but not over the top. More restrained than say a bock, but certainly a lovely, bold touch of malt. Falls apart a little too quickly than I'd like. Leaves an odd mineral feel in the mouthfeel (but void in the taste) Plenty more caramel as it warms. Some brown malt maybe? This was nice, but seemed to me it could be something more...

Serving type: bottle

06-29-2006 01:15:47 | More by biegaman

lstokes

Illinois

3.53/5  rDev -7.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Clear dark amber with an off-white head, the smell is basically dark caramel malt with raisins, but is fainter than it should be.

The taste is also less than fresh, but is nice. Toast, raisin, caramel, very strong hop finish which cuts through the somewhat thick mouthfeel but which to my tongue also doesn't let the malt character fully develop. Somebody said rhubarb earlier, and I think that's exactly the weird discordant note that bothers me.

A pretty drinkable beer which makes me want to drink more alts, but not an exemplar of the style or anything.

Remember to let it warm up before you drink it--the complexity doesn't really come out if you have it cold.

Serving type: bottle

11-29-2009 17:57:50 | More by lstokes

dpend

Florida

3.55/5  rDev -6.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

I originally reviewed this on tap and then recently found it in bottles.As far a I'm concerned, I'll stick with the draught.The whole six pack had a "old and dirty" taste."Alt" means old and the beer style was originally stored in dirt cellars, but I don't think this is what they should be shooting for.


I am a fan of this style, but there was something about the bottle taste that I couldn't adjust to.I have also had it now in a mini-keg, which I purchased from the same store, and it tasted fine, so I'm going to have to blame the bottles here.If you come across it, try it. It's one of the better examples of the style, just be cautious of the bottles.

Serving type: bottle

11-11-2003 15:41:22 | More by dpend

brentk56

North Carolina

3.55/5  rDev -6.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Appearance: Pours a light copper color with a foamy head that drops quickly without much lacing

Smell: Started out skunky (green bottle!) but that disappeared and left a reasonable combination of caramel malt and floral hop aromas

Taste: Starts out with a touch of caramel, but the floral hop flavors quickly arrive and leave the malt in the background; dry and slightly metallic finish

Mouthfeel: Medium bodied with a healthy level of carbonation

Drinkability: Not a bad beer, but I like my alts to have a bit more of a balanced, malty approach

Serving type: bottle

07-22-2006 22:10:03 | More by brentk56

LarryKemp

Texas

3.58/5  rDev -6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

This dark alt beer poured almost a clear brown with a nice off white head that stayed around for some time. The aroma was subtle but left a little malt in the nose. The bitterness jumps out and grabs the tongue, but lets the sweetness creap back in. The beer finishes with a light chocolate taste. The mouthfeel borders on creamy and is medium bodied. This beer is quite drinkable and is what I am hoping the alt in my keg that is fermenting now will taste like.

Serving type: bottle

03-13-2003 17:51:13 | More by LarryKemp

RoyalT

Ohio

3.58/5  rDev -6%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance – Bright brown in color and very clear in the body. The head was big and very fluffy with some cool lacing.

Smell – The aroma was faint here and was made up mainly of caramel-laden malts.

Taste – This had a nicely balanced flavor. The quality malts are sweetened with brown sugar and caramel. There’s also a soft floral hop compliment that evens things out.

Mouthfeel – This one was light in the mouth and flat, which was very nice.

Drinkability – This went very well with my weisswurst and sauerkraut.

Serving type: bottle

01-11-2004 06:37:53 | More by RoyalT

stcules

Italy

3.58/5  rDev -6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Copper - amber (beautiful color). Beige head, compact and creamy. Light perlage.
Malt, biscuit, light fruitiness and tea. Definitely pleasant. At the smell it can remember something of an english ale.
The taste too. Round and full maltiness.
At the aftertaste some bitter notes, almost tending to rhubarb. Notes of caramel.
Very pleasant.

Serving type: bottle

11-02-2007 19:51:01 | More by stcules

Morris729

Texas

3.63/5  rDev -4.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours a clear deep brownish amber color with a thick and creamy off-white colored head that fades into a nice lace. Nose is sweet roasted malts and a bit of toffee. Smooth and quite slick mouthfeel but is a bit thin. Taste is sweet malts and molasses up front followed by some bready notes and a touch of a raisin-like flavor. Finish is dry. A nice brew, but nothing special.

Serving type: bottle

02-06-2003 18:02:18 | More by Morris729

Sigmund

Norway

3.65/5  rDev -4.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

330 ml bottle, bought in Germany. ABV is 4.9%. Beautiful reddish brown colour, large and lingering greyish light tan head. Moderate malty aroma with some caramel and spices, some flowery aromatic hops too. Flavour is moderately malty and herbal with moderate hops, a little burnt caramel too. Easy drinking, but not one of the Seven Wonders of the World.

Serving type: bottle

11-10-2005 21:36:56 | More by Sigmund

woemad

Washington

3.68/5  rDev -3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

6-20-03
This was my first altbier. I really enjoy this variety and wish it was easier to find in the states. While I enjoy Alaskan Amber, I don't quite consider it a true altbier. I had Diebels when staying with a friend who lived in Duisburg back in '99. It seemed to be the standard altbier in the Ruhr. When I'd walk into an Imbiss and request an altbier, this was invariably what was on hand. I really don't remember a lot about it, except that I enjoyed it very much. Back then I was still fairly novice a drinker, so I'd love to try it again and see if it still impresses me.

10-6-04
Well, I managed to find this at the Alpine Deli for $1.59. It's the first time I've come across it since I was in Germany 5 years ago. Has a best by date of May, 2004 (oops).

Poured a dark copper color, with a big off-white head. Head hung around for several minutes. Mild amount of lace.

Very malty caramel smell, with a hint of floral hops.

Taste is predominantly caramel maltiness, with a slightly floral hoppy dryness to keep it from being too sweet. I remember this having a bit more character, but it's still pretty good.

This is a medium bodied ale. Seems about right for the style.

This is a very drinkable altbier. While it's not as tasty as an Uerige Sticke, it's still pretty good, and it's certainly cheaper.

Serving type: bottle

06-20-2003 12:02:20 | More by woemad

bump8628

Oklahoma

3.75/5  rDev -1.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Enjoyed at the hotel soon after arriving in Zermatt, Switzerland. Lacks the soul of the famous Dusseldorf pub Alts. Still a nice reprieve from Euro lagers. Bright copper. Nice and bready with a mild, herbal hop flavor. Clean and lager-like. Too filtered and refined. Needs more edge. Then again, who cares what one is drinking when in the shadow of the Matterhorn?

Serving type: bottle

06-26-2012 19:01:38 | More by bump8628

paterlodie

Belgium

3.78/5  rDev -0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Sampled this one unpasteurised annd fresh. Good presentation with good and lasting head and nice brown beercolor. Nose is fresh, malty( litle green) and caramellic with some yeastspice.
Taste is very strong maltaromatic and like smell tasting as greenmalt. Good and not overdone sweetness and a low dosed bitterness and phenolic. Mouthfeel is ok with good carbonation annd a nice a full beer without edges. Easy drinkable and IMO one of the better Altbeers though no competition to Uerige or Gleumes.

Serving type: can

07-11-2005 13:19:30 | More by paterlodie

metter98

New York

3.78/5  rDev -0.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A: The beer is very dark amber in color and has a finger high head that gradually died down to a thin layer of bubbles covering the surface.
S: There is an aroma of malts in the nose with some notes of caramel.
T: Like the smell, the overall taste is rather malty and has some caramel flavors but these are nicely balanced by the underlying hops.
M: It feels medium-bodied and rather smooth on the palate with a light to moderate amount of carbonation.
D: The beer is easy to drink and quite sessionable.

Serving type: on-tap

10-23-2010 12:12:13 | More by metter98

pootz

Ontario (Canada)

3.83/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Bottled: puts a copper-brown ale in your galss. 2 finger creamy cap with good retention and lacing. Mild aromas..woodsy, grassy, grainy. Mouthfeel is smooth and mellow good balance between toasty cerial malts and herbal-tobacco like hops dry clean finish. Overal impression is of a lilting dryness that travels just above an ample malt spine....a good alt for a large brewer.

Serving type: bottle

02-08-2006 05:23:55 | More by pootz

thierrynantes

France

3.85/5  rDev +1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Beer bottle (50cl), tasted in 2002.
Appearance : clear amber brown color, good white foam head
Smell : Caramel aroma, malt
Taste and mouthfeel : Flavor dominated by malt, bitterish and quite light bodied.
Drinkability : good beer in the style not very common Alt bier

Serving type: bottle

03-08-2008 14:45:06 | More by thierrynantes

engisch

New Jersey

3.85/5  rDev +1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours a carmel amber color. It is darker than I had expected it would be when I poured it. It has a quickly disipating white bubbly head.

The smell is sweet with what I believe to be a hint of apples (although perhaps I'm just crazy). The taste is a nice balance of thin sweetness with a dry bittering of hops, but not overpowering. A nice tastey beer that is still refresing, but has a bit more hops flavor than is typical for the region. Very tastey.

I can't compare this to many other alts, as it is a style that I have only had a few. But from what I see, it is a pleasant light and refreshing style.

Serving type: bottle

08-09-2009 12:29:28 | More by engisch

TheSarge

Illinois

3.88/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Diebels is a perfect looking altbier. It pours with a good amount of light tan wet looking cranium, and sticks around for a good bit considering the style. The body is cleanly filtered, and is copper in color.

This brew is rich in aroma. It has nodes of caramel, sweet bread, and slightly metallic. There is a slight fruity flavor too.

The taste is almost sweet and chocolaty up front, but gives way to an almost cooked veggie flavor.

The brew is kicking with a bite the whole way through, which gives this a coarse feeling. There is a chalky undertone as well.

Overall this is an interesting beer. It's pretty complex for as little ABV contained.

Serving type: bottle

09-12-2008 15:00:21 | More by TheSarge

Derek

British Columbia (Canada)

3.9/5  rDev +2.4%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

This bottle looks a little different (than pictured), and is labelled as 4.9% abv. Best before 15.06.06.

A: Bronze-caramel; off-white head is fizzy, no retention or lace.

S: Clean hops (grass & a little spice), slight toffee & cotton candy esters.

T: Nice bittersweet balance. Toffee and a nicely rounded hop flavour (grass, earth, floral). Probably some styrian golding hops here, maybe some Saaz. Hints of fruity esters (like cotton-candy). Very well rounded. The taste score is pushing a 4.5.

M: Light to moderate body, moderate carbonation.

D: Quite good.

Serving type: bottle

04-08-2006 16:25:16 | More by Derek