Diebels Alt - Brauerei Diebels GmbH & Co KG

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

PapaEugene

Netherlands

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

One of my favorite German beers. Usually buy it at Trinkgut in Kleve together with my other German favorites.

A: A beautiful brown/copper color with an initional decent white head.

S: Roasted malts, hops, and some caramel sweetness.

T: Like a pilsener but enriched with roasted malts and an additional dose of hops. A slight metallic tone in the aftertaste.

M: Medium carbonation and a light body. Very dry finish.

D: I like this one a lot, but not in any moment. I seem to have a preference for this beer at dinner time.

Serving type: bottle

10-04-2009 08:28:42 | More by PapaEugene

russpowell

Oklahoma

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

Nice head retention and malty nose with a slight wiff of hops.
Beautiful brown color with great clarity. Malts dominate and slight raisin and nut taste. In my 3 years in germany this was my old standby and got me through many cold nights. My British freinds liked it a lot. Since I lived in Rheiland Pfalz this was my stable when I ran out out biers from my filed trips up to dusseldorf or Bavaria. Drank hundreds & was always very consistent. Slightly better on draft....prost!

Serving type: bottle

08-13-2005 05:26:49 | More by russpowell

StevieW

Florida

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

On tap at the National Hotel in Miami, FL. Imported through Florida. Dark copper color, nearly brown. Thin beige head, not much carbonation. Decent malty sweet smells. Slick, carmel malty sweetness. Slighly weird nearly slimy finish, almost some smoeky qualities, or was it the bar I drinking it in ? Medium bodied, very unique and interesting.

Serving type: on-tap

10-07-2002 18:38:22 | More by StevieW

Pegasus

Texas

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

Thick and creamy off-white cloudtop head, lots of lace. Crystal clear dark copper color with slight carbonation. Toasty malt aroma with dark bread notes. Strong dark malt in the taste, as well as rich, earthy flavors, and bitter chocolate, finishes dry with a definite smoky note. It seems that Germany cannot make a bad beer.

Serving type: bottle

11-17-2002 09:36:44 | More by Pegasus

wl0307

United Kingdom (England)

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

Purchased from the Beers of Europe; at 4.9%abv., BB 12/2008, served chilled in a 200ml stange glass.

A: pours a clear reddish amber hue, coming with a slowly dissipating off-white head and moderate carbonation.
S: aromatic in its woodiness and hoppiness, accompanied with an intensive focus of lager-sourness, semi-roasted tea-leaves, and utterly enticing raw-nuts; not terribly complex but the unique touch of jammy-plum-like sourness is especially welcomed.
T: initially it's more lager-like on the texture, with a decent level of doughy sourness and fizziness, but the whole palate is quickly engulfed in sour chestnuts (with the bitter skins), bitter woodiness, and plenty of plum-like dark fruits; a decent aftertaste of roasted tea-stems and the bitter edge of burned sugar lingers, before giving way to more bitter nuts and hop leaves... Just so... enjoyable and more-ish.
M&D: in a sense this is a well-balanced Altbier that benefits from the hops and fruitiness as much as from the wood-ageing process. There's no WOW factor to the drink, but just like a good honest English Bitter I just can't resist another sip of it~~

Serving type: bottle

10-21-2008 20:12:38 | More by wl0307

soju6

Missouri

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

Had on tap at hotel in Frankfurt.

Beer is a deep amber color with a great head. The aroma is of roasted caramel & malty. The taste is a bit sweet & malty with a slightly bitter finish. It has a thick body, smooth and a dry finish. Easy to drink. One of the better Alt beers and can be found in many places in Germany

Serving type: on-tap

04-22-2010 11:43:34 | More by soju6

rvdoorn

Netherlands

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

Look: the beer pours an amber-copper color with medium head
Smell: Roasted malts, caramel and quite floral hops
Taste: Roasted malts, grain, and nice spicy bitter hops
Mouthfeel: dry finish with a medium-light body and medium carbonation
Overall: Nice beer for dinner

Serving type: bottle

07-27-2011 19:57:12 | More by rvdoorn

TommyW

Massachusetts

4.03/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A- Dark copper/brown body with an off-white, sudsy head that fades to nothing.

S- Bready malts, hop spiciness, and some notes of dark fruit.

T- A little bit of sweet malt starts off the taste, followed by some nice roasted malt flavors. There is also a note of caramel or perhaps molasses as well. The finish is dry with a slight hop bitterness.

M- Medium body, medium carbonation and very smooth overall.

D- Nice balance and smooth feel make this one pretty drinkable for me.

NOTE: A lot of the finer characteristics of the smell and taste really come out well when this beer warms up a bit.

Serving type: bottle

01-28-2009 12:50:38 | More by TommyW

Gamemako

France

4.1/5  rDev +7.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Reviewed on tap at the Hamburg Hauptbahnhof. Comes in with a nice light cream head which stayed pretty well. No lacing on the way down, strangely. Deep amber colour.

The beer has a nice bread-and-malt nose. Bit of dry herb aroma and toasted/roasted tones as well. Doesn't hold back at all; you don't have to sniff to get plenty of aroma with the first taste.

The mouthfeel is not particularly unusual, but very solid. It is very smooth and reasonably substantial. Exceptionally drinkable. Never exceedingly bitter or tiring, you could sit down with some mates and enjoy this until you could no longer stand or you could just have one here or there and enjoy every bit of it. However, its versatility comes at a slight price, never feeling like you'd want to have this with [insert item here]. Though I did not have it with food, I don't think there would be any great pairings, but if I had to guess I'd say some kind of grilled meat. Regardless, this is the kind of beer you have no reservations about recommending to anyone.

Taste, the most important part of any beer, was quite good. Quite malty and toasty, with excellent balance. Some herb notes, in a way reminding of a good cabernet sauvignon with slight tobacco undertones. Finishes with a dry bitterness, but not at all overwhelming. Medium body.

Serving type: on-tap

06-23-2008 19:59:44 | More by Gamemako

SkeeterHawk

Texas

4.13/5  rDev +8.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Appearance: Pours a super clear reddish brown to amber color with a thick dense head at first pour. The head maintained for quite some time. There was some lacing on the glass after consuming the beer.

Aroma: Lots of rich toasty notes along with some caramel. There seems like there is a bit of hops in the nose of this one, but the malt still rules the show. I also get a hint of some ripe fruit like plum or something as it warms up a bit..

Taste: Rich biscuity flavor with lots of malty notes. The flavor is really clean and finishes dry and slightly bitter. There is no alcohol noticeable, and the mouthfeel makes it some across as medium-light bodied. As it warms up a bit, you can start to pick up the hops a lot better.

Opinion: I really love Alt beers since I lived in Dusseldorf for a while, they taste like “home”. This one wasn't my favorite while I was over there, but since I haven't had it in quite some time, it tastes mighty good now. I know this is because I miss the flavor...and no other style is nearly this drinkable with this much flavor. If you have never tried an Altbier, definitely give this one a shot because it is an experience. If you are in Dusseldorf...stick to the Altstadt!

Serving type: bottle

09-03-2005 01:43:23 | More by SkeeterHawk

seanyfo

United Kingdom (Scotland)

4.18/5  rDev +9.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

This serving was from a PerfectDraft system, into a 0.5l willibecher.

A- 3 finger tan head with excellent retention and lacing. Copper hazelnut body.

S- Coffee, roasted malts, nuttiness. caramel an toffee.

T- Coffee and roasted malts in the beginning, toffee and nuttiness in the finish, balances well.

M- Medium carbonation and creamy

D- Sold altbier, nice nutty roasted notes combined with a full mouthfeel and balance gives it excellent drinkability.

Serving type: on-tap

02-02-2008 19:51:32 | More by seanyfo

Todd

Massachusetts

4.22/5  rDev +10.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Served on-tap at "Ranke 2" in Berlin, and served in its own 0.4l branded glass. A copper/brown beer with a healthy looking, creamy laced head.

A metallic beer with toasty, thin raisin, bready, and tea-like flavours. Dry overall, with a thin malt sweetness, but ample malt character. Also notes tobacco, smooth chocolate and faint caramel flavours. Dry finish.

Thoroughly enjoyed this complex and tasy altbier ... and it made me think that we need more altbiers in the US.

Serving type: on-tap

10-19-2002 08:18:24 | More by Todd

KoG

Nevada

4.22/5  rDev +10.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Clear deep brown body topped with a short lived head that leaves no real lacing.

Smell has a tasted hint to it. Slight chocolate and caramel with a very faint alcohol end after warming a bit.

Tastes nice and malty with a roasted touch, light chocolate and caramel. Nicely bitter in the middle and fades away on the finish. Drys the mouth a bit but still goes down smooth.

A damn solid beer from a hard to find catagory.

Serving type: bottle

07-27-2005 01:18:05 | More by KoG

Darkale

Virginia

4.28/5  rDev +12.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Exceptionally clear bronze-brown body. Rocky, foamy head.

Slightly yeasty aroma, pungent and dry with, I think, a hint of scotch whisky!

Just a bit chewy in the mouth with some peat and earth tones, then chocolate and coffee.

Dry and astringent, malty around the edge.

This is my first altbier, and I may end up changing these ratings later if future samples warrant it. I enjoyed this style quite a bit, and this beer seems to be an excellent example of the style.

Serving type: bottle

08-22-2003 15:32:39 | More by Darkale

MuenchenerKindl

Germany

4.3/5  rDev +12.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Sever in a small glass the dark caramel liquid had some carbonation but not much head. The head was small off white and left no lace could be the fault of a server wanting to be too quick after taking too long.

The smell was good and malty, lots of dark caramel malt, very sweet yet a finishing hops with a lot of bitterness. Truly a classic style brew.

The taste follows lots of thick malt in a classic big malt style. The hops were very good and made for quite a hearty brew standing up well with the roast lamb chops and basmati rice.

The mouthfeel of this brew was also very good nice thick body and encaptured carbonatio.

The drinkability of this alt is good ,just what I wanted I only wish they would have brought a mass.

Prosit, MK
.

Serving type: bottle

08-01-2009 16:15:40 | More by MuenchenerKindl