Daniel Drinks the Styles: Bauernhof Altbier

Continuing to leverage my time at home during the coronavirus pandemic, I am studying for the second level of the Cicerone Certification Program for beer professionals. To stay honest in my studies, I am publishing reviews of DMV beers brewed in the classic styles and comparing them to the official style guidelines. While I recently took my online exam, I am continuing to do so to a) keep myself informed and b) I am really enjoying writing for you all.

You don’t find a ton of Altbiers around DC (or even the US) so finding an example of the Dusseldorf-originating hybrid beer is exciting. Altbier literally means “Old Beer,” and is a hybrid because it is lagered like an, uh, lager, but fermented the old way, using top-fermenting ale yeast. Also, this gave me an excuse to drink more Wheatland Spring. To the guidelines: 

Altbier Guidelines from the Beer Judge Certification Program (BJCP): 

A well-balanced, well-attenuated, bitter yet malty, clean, and smooth, amber- to copper-colored German

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