Alt - Widmer Brothers Brewing Company

BucannonXC5

California

3.98/5  rDev +9.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a draft into a goblet at South Park Abbey in San Diego, Calif., on May 5, 2012. Tough to see the color in the dark, but it appeared to be flat out caramel. About a finger of head when I got it. Light white lacing that went away pretty quickly. Sporadic and light film on the sides.

Smelled caramel malts first. Seemed to be pretty nutty. Heavy on the malts.

Tasted a bit like a Gordon Biersch I had before, but I can’t put my finger on it. Caramel, nutty and roasty, but a good balance.

Full-to-medium body. Average carbonation. Long-lasting smooth finish. Good drinkability. Creamy texture.

Just a good beer overall. Smooth and consistent all-around.

Serving type: on-tap

05-10-2012 05:15:54 | More by BucannonXC5

PDXHops

South Carolina

4.1/5  rDev +12.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Finally getting around to reviewing one of the first beers I ever had in Portland way back in 1997. This review is based on an imperial pint (when did they switch to those?) on tap at the brewery in July 2011. Excellent clarity in the dark amber body. The off-white head is frothy and just thick enough to retain nicely. Nice soapy lacing at the top of the glass.

Clean malty aroma with minimal sweetness. Pleasantly toasty with a bit of nuttiness and a hint of earthiness. Yes, it's Widmer, and yes, it's only 35 IBUs, but even hopheads should check this out (with a clean palate). The malt profile is so crisp, so dry, that there's a nice sting of bitterness even from that modest level of hopping. Malts are toasty, a touch roasty, and there's perhaps even a dash of cocoa in there. Quick bite of earthy and leafy hop flavor in the otherwise exceedingly crisp finish. One of my sentimental favorites, and a damned fine beer. Do try it if you have a chance.

Serving type: on-tap

08-06-2011 15:04:30 | More by PDXHops

Cyberkedi

Georgia

3.78/5  rDev +3.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a dark coppery amber with a fairly thick off-white head. Aroma is strong and malty with fruity and hoppy hints. Flavor is quite robust, mainly malty with a fruity undertone and nutty and hoppy touches. Texture is quite fizzy and lively, leaving behind a nice tingle.

Serving type: on-tap

07-09-2011 03:40:21 | More by Cyberkedi

csiewert

Oregon

3.58/5  rDev -1.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

While not my favorite style of beer, this beer is a good spin on the German alt style. Pours a brilliant dark amber with white foamy head. Smells strong of malt and tastes very similar, with some nutty aftertaste. Very similar to a nut brown ale in my opinions. Mouthfeel is good and finishes clean... Good beer for what it is.

Serving type: on-tap

12-27-2010 22:16:31 | More by csiewert

msubulldog25

Oregon

4/5  rDev +9.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Following the CBA Annual Shareholders Meeting, a stop in at the Gasthaus was in order. Minutes ago, I was talking with Kurt Widmer about this beer and, therefore, decided to go get reaquainted with the Alt. It's the beer that founded Widmer and preceded their now-ubiquitous Hefeweizen et al. A shapely 16 oz. pour.

A: Deep amber/auburn, very clear but almost completely lacking visible carbonation. 'Look' score doesn't suffer, though; head is a solid 1-finger of whitish foam, good retention and a lovely coating lace.

S: Mild roasted malt nose, husky grains and whiffs of smoke in front of a latent sweetness.

T: Bigger toasted grain, caramel malt and an underlying cocoa (dusty and dry). Spicy and earthy bitterness, so dry in the end.

M: Surprisingly 'chewy' feel and medium body from a lighter-gravity pour. Spritely carbonation and good crispness, lasting spice and an exceedingly dry finish. Some malty stickiness lasts, but isn't what I'd call 'sticky'.

D: It's a shame this beer has never found a following; that it's *only* available at Widmer's own pub is testament to the fact that it has staying power, at least for a few loyalists. I, for one, sold yet again - it's plenty flavorful, well-balanced and lovely to behold.

Serving type: on-tap

05-26-2010 21:49:30 | More by msubulldog25

jdense

Oregon

3.6/5  rDev -1.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

On tap at the Horse Brass during Widmer fest with the Brothers in the house, poured into imperial pint glass, drank upon recommendation of Beer Rogue #1, Don Younger.

This top fermented copper colored ale is dominated by sweetish malts in nose, minimal carbonation.Taste is of toasty malts, with not much bitterness. The menu listed ABV @ 4.5% instead of the 5% listed on BA page. A very drinkable session beer and true to style guidelines, but not a wise choice for the hopheads.

Serving type: on-tap

09-18-2009 16:00:52 | More by jdense

RedDiamond

Oregon

3.48/5  rDev -4.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Widmer’s Gasthaus lists this simply as “Alt”. I am told it was the first beer the brothers Widmer ever brewed, and is unrelated to their other seasonal altbier offerings. It is a dark walnut color and clear, with a soft sudsy head that quickly fades leaving a thin but persistent lace. The aroma is light and fruity, like sliced pears.

The flavor of Widmer’s Alt is neither refined nor abundant, but it is nicely balanced. The malt is childlike in its timidity and sweetness with a slight cherry-like taste. The accompanying bitterness crescendos to a climactic finish that is neither oppressive nor compelling, but is nicely complimentary. The overall effect is a measure shy of being charismatic, but is pleasantly drinkable.

Serving type: on-tap

06-30-2004 20:01:09 | More by RedDiamond