Southampton Altbier
12oz bottle poured into the closest thing I had to a traditional Altbier glass. Left the sediment behind. Printed on the neck of the bottle is what I assume to be the bottling date- 060109. A- Vigorously poured with a big frothy off-white head that aggressively clings to the steep sides of the glass as it recedes. Has a deep amber color with the tiniest bit of haze. A couple pieces of sediment hang around and some bubbles of carbonation float slowly to the top. Holds its foamy head well with great latticed lacing. This is what I imagine the real thing to look like. S- Smells of minerals and sulfur. There is an indistinct German hop aroma that is somewhat overpowered by the mineral aroma. There is also some diacetyl that is most likely out of place for this style. All of this is trying to be supported by a bread-like malt backbone that doesn't quite get the job done. T- A sweet-sugary malt taste in the front, accompanied by the same diacetyl from the aroma. Almost no bitterness present anywhere. Finishes with minerals and sulfur. The lack of hop bitterness is dissapointing especially when the beer proclaims "Dusseldorf-style" on the label. Although it has its flaws, this beer is not completely unenjoyable. M- Medium-light with medium carbonation. D- This beer looks so sexy that it makes me forget it doesn't taste all that great. If they dropped the diacetyl, made it more bitter, and dried it out, this beer would be a fantastic session beer. However, given what it is - I don't want much more.