Diebels Alt - Brauerei Diebels GmbH & Co KG

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

marcobrau

Illinois

3.25/5  rDev -14.7%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A light brown version of Altbier that pour with a burst of foam that settles to a thin collar. Starts with mostly caramel malt flavors. The hops become more noticeable later on and ending with a dry finish. There's some bits of toffee, and some buttery notes, but not much complexity. Fairly light-bodied with a smooth mouthfeel. A very quaffable Altbier. A beer that I believe would appeal to many beer drinkers looking to try a German beer other than a Spaten or Paulaner, something a wee bit more interesting.

Serving type: bottle

10-19-2003 01:32:22 | More by marcobrau

Douberd

Netherlands

2.9/5  rDev -23.9%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

500 ml bottle, bought in Germany. Poured into a kolsch glass. Ingredients are water, hops, barley malt. ABV is 4,9%.
Dark copper colour, with a slighty beige head, one and a half finger in height, soapy in texture, having average retention. No lacing left behind, no activity in the glass.
Aroma is of roasted malts, but very faint. Not much of an aroma actually.
Taste is of roasted malts again, toffee and dark chocolate. It does leave behind some bitterness, but not as much as I expected.
Light carbonation on a thin to medium body.
An average one.

Serving type: bottle

12-31-2012 20:23:11 | More by Douberd

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

allboutbierge

Austria

3.13/5  rDev -17.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 2.5

After drinking nothing but Kölsch and Weissbier I was begging for something different to try. During a weekend trip to Aachen I found this brew, though it is very easy to find anywhere in Germany.

Color ís almost that of pine bark and head is off white and short lived. Scent is powerful and quickly brings a resemblance to molasses to mind. Flavor can best be sumed up into rye bread meets molasses meets brown sugar. Its a flavorful beer, the flavors however seem out of place. Its interesting at first but by the time I got to the bottom of the glass this beer's individuality had gotten on my nerves and I was already looking for something different. As I have had very little experience with Alt beers this may be typical for the style. German brewers are not known for their wild and unique creations like some American micros are. Mouthfeel was pleasant--silky, full, and satisfying.

Serving type: bottle

10-17-2003 22:47:29 | More by allboutbierge

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

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

mtstatebeer

West Virginia

3.1/5  rDev -18.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

0.5l bottle. Pours a completely clear brownish-amber color with a large frothy off-white head. Aroma is pale and caramel malts, bread, and grassy hops. Flavor is slightly roasted, bread, pale malts, and some herbal hops. Mouthfeel is light, dry, and a hint of bitterness at the end. Decent beer.

Serving type: bottle

12-05-2009 03:04:50 | More by mtstatebeer

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

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

ernie

Russian Federation

4.33/5  rDev +13.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Dark and misterious it pours out of the bottle to form a modest cappuccino crown over a dark-ruby liquid. Aroma is toffeish, with flowery-hoppy tones in the background. Carbonation is low. The taste is outstanding, reminiscent of English Ales with a perfect balance of nuts and malts vs. hops and fruit. Aftertaste is complex, bittersweet and crying for more. Great Germanic ale!

Serving type: bottle

06-08-2006 10:27:04 | More by ernie

jeranbrews

New York

3.23/5  rDev -15.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

A - Low white eggshell head. A very interesting dark oak brown color body that was a bit clear but as vibrant as it was dark.

S - The best part of this beer was the smell. Some very nice smooth appetizing grape and caramel smells.

T - A slightly bitter leafy, lemon grass / hay flavor. Kind of stale and sour

M - Effervescently nice, but at the same time watery and hollow.

D - Overall, not bad color, a great smell, but a dissapointing taste.

Serving type: bottle

06-23-2010 14:33:58 | More by jeranbrews