BJCP 2021 / 7B
Altbier
A clean amber ale with toasty malt held in check by a firm bitter finish.
- Drink fresh
- standard strength
- amber color
- top fermented
- lagered
Serve: 44 to 50F, Stange or small tumbler
OG1.120
1.044 to 1.052FG1.030
1.008 to 1.014IBU120
25 to 50SRM40
9 to 17ABV14%
4.3 to 5.5%Taste it in order
Aroma
12 pts- Toasty, nutty malt
- Noble hop spice, floral or herbal
- Clean, with a faint ale fruitiness at most
- Vague
- Malty
- Better
- Nutty malt and spicy hop
- Best
- Moderate toasty and nutty malt aroma, low to moderate spicy floral hop, very faint ale fruitiness
Appearance
3 pts- Amber to copper-brown
- Brilliantly clear
- Off-white to cream head
- Vague
- Copper
- Better
- Copper, clear, creamy head
- Best
- Deep copper, brilliantly clear from cold conditioning, creamy off-white head
Flavor
20 pts- Toasty nutty malt, only lightly sweet
- Firm bitterness that cuts through
- Dry, slightly sharp finish
- Vague
- Bitter
- Better
- Toasty malt with firm bitterness
- Best
- Moderate toasted nut and bread malt, moderate spicy hop flavor, firm bitterness rising to a dry, clean finish
Mouthfeel
5 pts- Medium-light to medium body
- Medium to medium-high carbonation
- Smooth
- Vague
- Smooth
- Better
- Medium body, smooth
- Best
- Medium-light to medium body, smooth, medium carbonation, clean finish
Overall Impression
10 ptsLifts it
- Bitterness that balances the malt
- Cold-conditioned smoothness
Drops it
- Heavy fruit
- Cloying sweetness
- Roast
Writing tip
Compare malt and bitterness. Example: 'Toasty nutty malt with firm bitterness and a clean dry finish. Excellent balance.'
Pour these
- Uerige AltBrauerei UerigeA bold, bitter Düsseldorf classic
- Schumacher AltBrauerei SchumacherA softer alt with toasty malt
- Amber AleAlaskan BrewingUS alt-style with a clean toast
Often confused with
- 5B KölschKölsch is paler and softer
- 19A American Amber AleAmerican Amber Ale has fruity American hops
Fine here
- Estery: A faint fruitiness is permitted for a top-fermented beer
Ruinous here
- Diacetyl: Butter
- Oxidized: Wet paper
- Astringent: Harsh grip clashes with the bitterness
Style names, numbers and vital statistics follow the BJCP 2021 beer guidelines. Descriptions and example choices are our own. Check a beer is still made before you hunt for it.