I think we just had a pretty good run of good/interesting beers. Wooky Jack, Samichlaus, and Celebrator is a pretty decent 1-2-3 punch. The next few beers will allows us to explore some different styles.
Why we picked it: Local beer out of Baltimore...that's about it.
About Union's Balt: This German-style Altbier is our nod to an old world, old school ale. The word “Alt” is German for “old”, and refers to the traditional style of brewing before lager yeast was discovered. Balt is a dark, copper colored brew with a creamy head, a gentle bitterness and a clean, dry finish. Prost, Hon!
Beer Advocate Score: 85
Color: Copper/Amber
Malt: Pilsner, Munich, Cara Munich, Carafa
Hops: Perle, Tettnang
Yeast: German Alt
ABV: 5.6%
IBU: 45
Case Cost: $39 ($11 per 6-pack)
*website: http://www.unioncraftbrewing.com/project/balt-altbier/
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ReplyDeleteFormat error in my first post, so i'll post again: A very clean version of an Altbier. The bitterness almost delivers a hint of sourdough and freshly baked bread. The sweetness to bitterness ratio is well done for the usual US version of the style. More bitter than a classic düsseldorfer though.
ReplyDeleteFrom Maryland huh? I'll drink it but i'm not happy about it.
ReplyDeleteWell this all started inauspiciously enough. I poured half into a glass for Ro. She promptly found what looked like a paint chip in her beer. I looked at it and it did look suspicious but of course as she tried to hand it to me, she dropped it, so I could not conduct a formal investigation. She then realized that some small particle in the bottom of her glass was producing this constant stream of bubbles. It was all pretty fascinating but a little bit weird. I was watching the process and wanted to see how it turned out when she grabbed the glass and said I was not drinking that and poured it down the sink. My initial reaction was to lick the sink but I decided that would add confounding tastes to the beer so I focused on my 6 oz glass which now seemed quite small and inadequate.
ReplyDeleteThe beer itself is mighty tasty. Definitely very malty but really smooth and not too sweet which is my usual objection to any malt over hops style of beer. Took another sip and made some more tasting notes. Tried another sip to formulate my final judgement and suddenly realized I was out of beer. I guess that's a good sign? Really did like this. I know I've had ever Altbiers before but can't remember which.
And it's from Maryland. Let's Go O's!
I think old beer sums this one up perfectly. Its like going to old Aunt Gertrude's house when you were a kid. Sure the house smelled funny and you didn't like the food but she was always nice and gave you $5 every time you came by. This beer doesn't smell funny but it's very unoffensive almost downright boring with a nice crisp clean taste with just a flash of malts before the hops kick in. Due to the nice copper color I was expecting alot more malts than what it delivers. I'm guessing they nailed this old ass style perfectly because there's nothing flashy about it. And just like Aunt Gertrude, much flash would you expect from a brew dating from a time before Lager yeast? This wouldnt be my first choice but I wouldn't mind crushing a bunch of these tailgating. B!
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ReplyDelete"Would accept another"
A bit more bitter than most Alts that I've had, but tasty, very drinkable, would be a nice summer time ale - refreshing
#24DaysOfBeer
First time trying this beer, really enjoyed it. Clean, clean and kind of light. I could have a few while sitting on the beach or sitting on the back deck after mowing the lawn.
ReplyDeleteThis one is very light tasting which is a change from the past few days of the winter themed beer advent calendar. It's okay, has a refreshing kind of taste but not one I'd go reaching for often.
ReplyDeleteUnion is one of my favorite breweries. Early on, they set out to create a core of "approachable" beers and this one of them. Balt won gold at the 2012 GABF and bronze at the 2014 WBC (going up against German brewers in the category). I prefer a couple of their other beers to this one, so I don't have it that often and was surprised by its balance - sweet, but with enough of a crisp finish to make me wish I had another. Like last night's selection, there isn't one aspect of it that's up in my face. I also love the can art - classic styling with an original feel. Another very solid pick - keep 'em coming!
ReplyDeleteReally like the caramel malts in this. I liked the finish as well. At first it had a slight metallic taste but disappeared after the first couple of sips. Went down easy. B+. Makes me want to try a few more Altbiers.
ReplyDeleteI do like the duckpin but I felt like this one was a little more out there. Love the throwback style too
ReplyDeleteI love making a Saturday afternoon run to Union's tasting room to avoid household chores and my adult children are usually happy to come along because the old man is buying. I had recently tried and liked this one and so was looking forward to tonight. Not up there with last night's, but a good solid contender with lots of flavor. Now if I could only find a can of Snow Pants... (BTW, has anyone ventured down to Waverly Brewing?)
ReplyDeleteAnother solid beer. There is no glitz or glamour with this one just a blue collar, no frills beer. Good color, great taste and gone to quick. Will look for this one again and might add it into the rotation. A+
ReplyDeleteIt's OK to me. Nothing great, nothing bad. I get a lot of the malts. I don't think I will seek this out, but I didn't mind trying it. I like that it's out of a can. Grade 6.5 of 10, C-
ReplyDeleteI was going to on about the underappreciation of Union, but I think Brad and Dave covered it well. I prefer Duckpin, Double Duckpin and Blackwing, but this one holds its own. Smooth and drinkable, but still a nice hop finish. It's almost like a summer beer for me. I could have a few of these tonight. 3.75/5.
ReplyDeleteSo far I think this one is my second favorite that we have had
ReplyDeleteHaving problems getting my blogs to post...should stop doing it on my phone.
ReplyDeleteLike this one. Not over the top like many of the beers on our list this year...but solidly brewed beer. Kudos to Balt for making beer in Baltimore that doesn't suck
I would grab a pint of union beer the next time I see it on draft. Don't know that I would go out of my way to find it tho.
Ok beer, nothing too exciting. Not so great smelling and reminds me of Baltimore.
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