Duckstein Rotblondes Original - Hanseatische Getränke-Industrie (HGI) Holsten-Brauerei AG

1whiskey

Oregon

4/5  rDev +12%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A co-worker was kind enough to bring a bottle of this back from her trip to Hamburg. This will be my first authentic German altbier.

Pours a clear garnet with a thick 2 finger head.

Nose is toasted grain...a bit of spice and fruit.

More toastiness on palate, though I am surprised by the level of sweetness. This is really quite malty for a 4.9% beer, and an herbal hop kick is more prominant than American interpretations of the style. All in all, this is a rich, well rounded flavor profile. It finishes mostly with a bit of caramel and a slight "medicinal" aftertaste.

Mouthfeel is quite slick, this goes down real easy. Body is "medium", I suppose, but certainly more viscous than I had anticipated. Despite said viscosity, this is pretty quaffable, especially on a muggy July night.

All in all, a solid brew.

Serving type: bottle

07-17-2009 05:41:45 | More by 1whiskey

WilstonOreo

Germany

3.75/5  rDev +5%

12-26-2012 15:26:09 | More by WilstonOreo

whatsgoody

Massachusetts

3.75/5  rDev +5%

12-02-2012 22:09:14 | More by whatsgoody

Tomais

Germany

3.65/5  rDev +2.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Served in a stange
Nice clear copper/mohogany brown.
Head disappears very quickly. No lacing.
Smell not so strong. Sweet malt with some spicyness.

Nice mouthfeel. Lots of fine carbonation.
Taste is nicely balanced, goes from malty-fruity and a little spicy to hoppy-bitter at the end. Slightly metallic in the finish and malty after-taste.

Well drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

11-10-2012 20:14:21 | More by Tomais

j_eastwood1

3.25/5  rDev -9%

07-22-2012 05:19:16 | More by j_eastwood1

PancakeMcWaffles

Germany

2.5/5  rDev -30%

06-23-2012 21:55:49 | More by PancakeMcWaffles

BlakeDaSnake

4.4/5  rDev +23.2%
look: 5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Comes in a funky bottle with a raised emblem

A - The color of this beer is a dark caramel and has a nice malty texture to it.

S -smell of industrial corn can be detected as in many German mass produced beers.

T - The flavor is rich with deep malty bitterness. It starts on the tongue pretty bold, complex in maltiness without being too sweet. Soon gives way to a very nice hoppiness that lingers on the tongue for a long time

M - nice

O - I almost fell in love

Serving type: bottle

Serving type: bottle

04-25-2012 21:11:44 | More by BlakeDaSnake

phaedrusovchaos

Romania

3.5/5  rDev -2%

01-18-2012 10:44:02 | More by phaedrusovchaos

stevoj

Germany

4/5  rDev +12%

12-08-2011 20:38:49 | More by stevoj

seanyfo

United Kingdom (Scotland)

3.3/5  rDev -7.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

50cl bottle received in trade with Erzengel, cheers!

BBE March 2012

Poured into Frankenheim 0.3cl alt glass

A- Copper body with excellent clarity. Head is off white giving good lacing and retention.

S- Toasted malts, hint of toffee, metallic note.

T- Subtle toasted malts with a toffee hint, hop bite comes through in the finish. The flavours are there but subtle, has a slightly thin fragile overall feel.

M- Medium carbonation, body is a hair too thin.

D- It looks good but just doesnt quite deliver on the palate. Flavour profile is there but overall its a bit weak but certainly drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

11-20-2011 21:40:34 | More by seanyfo

Beejay

Virginia

3.8/5  rDev +6.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Huge thanks to my friend Kate for bringing this back to me from Germany.

A: Brilliantly clear medium amber with a nice white head. The head does dissipate rather quickly, but still a fine looking brew.

S: A light fruitiness to the nose. There is a little bit of an herbal or spicy aroma in there that I assume is a contribution from the hops. There is almost a bready, or flour note that is reminiscent of some British ales.

T: There is a nice biscuity bread flavor at first. The hops are a little more subdued, but there is definitely a little spicy herbal kick in there, as well as a touch of residual bitterness. There is a slight metallic flavor as well.

M: Medium to medium light in body, the carbonation is quite high.

O: A decent balance between malt flavors and hops. I would definitely drink this again, although I may not seek it out over other brews.

Serving type: bottle

10-13-2011 02:20:01 | More by Beejay

Brabander

Netherlands

3.4/5  rDev -4.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

I got this bottle from my collegue Diana who was on holidays in the region where this beer is made. She was so kind to bring one with her for me.

Poured in my Struise glass the beer looks like tea with some carbonation. Head is fluffy and three fingers big. Good and inviting smell. Taste is a bit average because of the watery feel of this beer. It is not bad but it could use two percent more ABV. No bitternes in this beer, the hops were on vacation when this beer was brewed.

Serving type: bottle

09-15-2011 18:55:43 | More by Brabander

jonb5

United Kingdom (England)

3.25/5  rDev -9%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Third of a litre serving, came in Duckstein glass. Three finger head which didn't last long. Great redish copper colour, best thing about the beer. Aroma was crisp fresh hops, didn't smell too different from a german pils. Tasted a bit smokey, with notes of dark chocolate. Had a slightly bitter finish. Well carbonated, smooth, texture slightly thick Decent beer that went down well, but too expensive for what it is.

Serving type: on-tap

08-04-2011 10:49:53 | More by jonb5

Sunnanek

Sweden

3.38/5  rDev -5.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

A: Pour is copper with hints of red. A thick medium-large, really compact white head that slowly sinks into great lacings.

S: Fruity, very fruity; both red and green apples up front followed by citric notes. There is also nice malt, somewhat sweet. The bitterhops lures in the back.

T: A bit rough at first. Kind of artificial dry, not very pleasant. Notes of smoked ham. Malt and bitterhops are there, but man I miss the fruit from the smell. A metallic off-taste is present.

M: Aftertaste is kind of funky bitter, but it doesn't stay very long. Body is medium and carbonation rich, but smooth.

O: Well, this was interesting - nice look, nice smell, but when it came to taste, far from great - really not bad, but the look and smell raised my expectations.

Serving type: bottle

07-30-2011 19:55:10 | More by Sunnanek

crossovert

Wisconsin

3.18/5  rDev -10.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

500ml embossed bottle brown, MHBE: 11.2011.

It pours a beautiful copper/red with a foamy off-white head that billows over the rim and lasts for a while before leaving some nice lacing behind.

The smell is fruity and malty, not very complex, but not unpleasant, there seems to be an herbal character form the hops reminiscent of Tettnang.

The flavor continues with the tettnang theme. It is a mild altbier with some caramally malt notes, medicinal hops, and a hint of metal.

It is a nice-looking beer, but overall it isn't anything special.

Serving type: bottle

05-04-2011 17:56:10 | More by crossovert

kojevergas

California

3.48/5  rDev -2.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Served on draught into a Duckstein goblet in Berlin, Germany. Reviewed from notes.

A: Clear copper-gold hybrid colour. One finger head of fairly impressive retention and commendable cream. Appealing yet mysterious - what lies in wait?

Sm: The scent isn't particularly revealing - especially when you've a broken nose that can't smell hardly anything. Maybe hops and barley (Fuck I'm good, amn't I?).

T: Light cream open to body of hoppiness (happiness?), hints of caramel, and a barley build. Finish is a graveyard for the dying notes of the body - and hear you me, lads: they die quick.

Mf: Light on the palate. Near perfect dryness in terms of complementing the taste, but not coarse enough to bring out these notes fully. It's a bit like when you desperately want to 'gasm but your choice for the night is just too ugly/fat/possibly HIV infected and it never happens.

Dr: It'll get you drunk and you won't taste the alcohol.

Serving type: on-tap

03-10-2011 21:48:42 | More by kojevergas

NightINgale

Quebec (Canada)

3.93/5  rDev +10.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

500ml bottle brought directly from Germany about a month before this review.

A - Copper coloured body, with a beige foamy head. Loads of bubbles are visible at first. The head sticks around for some time, but afterwards it disappears almost completely.

S - Toasted malts, caramel, apples, and a bit of hops. Smells like a good altbier. The aroma is strong enough to be considered

T - Starts out with a slight herbal hop bite, followed by a pretty solid fruity profile (raisins, figs, and apples), complimented by caramel notes and some mild sweetness. The taste then finishes with very pronounced toasty maltness. Bready and slightly nutty. Quite bitter in the finish.

M - VERY carbonated at first and pretty smooth and relatively flat afterwards. Medium-bodied, though it may seem even thicker. Quite Dry. No trace of alcohol.

D - The drinkability is pretty high, even though this beer may seem a little hefty to some people. Goes down smoothly and can get very enjoyable.

Overall, this is a solid brew, but I enjoyed it much more on tap.

Serving type: bottle

11-28-2010 04:53:43 | More by NightINgale

MusicaleMike

Pennsylvania

3.28/5  rDev -8.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

Thanks to my girlfriend for bringing this treat back from her trip to Hamburg! This was supposedly the most expensive bottle that she brought back with her. Hmm...an altbier from Hamburg? That is certainly questionable.

The label states (in German) that this is "beechwood-aged." The only other brewery with that method which I know of is good ol' Budweiser. Expiration date is 09.2010.

I poured it into my glass with a two finger thick, pillowy off-white head. Below that glows a crystal clear body of golden amber color displaying its steady carbonation. The head comes down to the surface of the beer after a few minutes and leaves not much in the way of lacing.

As I bring the glass to my nose, I'm presented with a clean "lager" smell, though this is no lager. I detect a bit of butter (DME) and a soft biscuit malt aroma. I have let this beer warm up substantially, yet I detect absolutely no hop aroma. It takes some extra agitation for me to coax the grassy hops to come out in the bouquet.

The taste of this beer is interestingly close to an English mild. It's possible that is because I let the beer warm to almost room temp, but honestly I get subdued fruit, stale cardboard, and a somewhat "appley" flavor with the malt. There is a well needed soft bitterness in the finish. The "cardboard" thing is an issue, but I need to try a fresher bottle in order to determine if that is a flaw of the beer or the bottle.

The carbonation is quite soft and remarkably light, or little. I would probably describe this beers mouthfeel as juicy, considering that it is practically flat. Again, much like a mild. I could have used a bit more carbonation to brighten the beer up.

As an altbier, it comes close to the mark. This beer is from Hamburg, not Dusseldorf so it is not a true altbier. It does have some ale characteristics, like the soft, smooth mouthfeel and slight fruit note on the palate. Yet the lagering clearly cleans up the beer quite a bit, subduing the fruit and softening the aroma. The staleness was a sore point which affected the drinkability rating for me. But I can see that a fresher bottle or a draft pint would certainly change my mind.

Serving type: bottle

05-01-2010 04:52:03 | More by MusicaleMike

jenitivecase

Kansas

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

Noticed this in the local Hit supermarket and bought it on a whim. After all, "duck" was in the name, and I'm a sucker...

A: Pours a pretty, dark amber/copper color - perfectly clear, which is really strange to see in Germany. Has a foamy head which disperses relatively quickly.

S: Very malty, with a strong woody scent and some notes of dark breads (pumpernickel?).

T: Very flavorful; initial kick of spiciness (coriander, nutmeg) and some citrus tang which progresses into a smoky, woody flavor (though not really that birch-y) with that dark bread taste still very present (rye?). Lots of caramel malt provides a smooth underlying flavor.

M: Tangy and almost a big creamy. Has a zing going down which lingers on the palate.

D: Eh, this is a good beer, but not really a session beer. It's definitely drinkable enough, but I'm not compelled to run out and buy more.

Serving type: bottle

06-28-2008 22:52:14 | More by jenitivecase

HappyHourHero

Indiana

3.58/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Deep amber colored beer holds a few dozen streams of carbonation. A short, creamy, off-white head fades slowly a skinny ring. Rich, full malty aroma with hints of caramel and alcohol and list metallic notes. Rich malty flavor reminiscent of a maibock. Caramel malt mixed with other darker roasted malts along with tea flavored hops. Finishes softly sweet and barely bitter. The flavors some together in an interesting way and there may be birch wood flavor in there, but otherwise I can't find it. At 1.90 euros for a bottle (3 times typical beers) it's way too expensive for something that isn't noticeably special.

Serving type: bottle

05-23-2008 18:36:14 | More by HappyHourHero

Absumaster

Netherlands

3.55/5  rDev -0.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Auf Buchenholz gereift, which means lagered on birch wood. Interesting. The beer pours a clear, dark copper color with a thin head.

Smell is malty and has some husk along with a modest green vegetable smell. There is also some light hoppiness hidden in the back.

Taste is malty and has some wood, but I can't detect any of the birch wood. Light biscuity and light caramel, toffee notes supported by the clean, German bottom fermenting yeast. Bitterness is medium and aftertaste is dry and lingering bitter.
An average beer with a good drinkability and nice bitterness.

Serving type: bottle

11-09-2007 12:19:36 | More by Absumaster

TheSarge

Illinois

3.8/5  rDev +6.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This brew wasn't too bad for a German style ale. Usually Altbier isn't as flavorful, but this one had more character than most other Alts that I've tried.

Duckstein Rotblondes Original pours with a moderate amount of carbonation that produces a decent off white head, which dissipates quickly and leaves behind fine lacing. The body is dark amber and is quite clear.

The taste is of darkly toasted breads, and slightly fruity.

It is mellow and quite enjoyable. It is a little on the dry side,

Serving type: bottle

09-15-2007 20:58:09 | More by TheSarge