Lets talk about Alt Bier

I tasted a delicious Alt Bier the other day and it got me thinking. I have never brewed this style, and didn't find much for recipes from quickly searching around.

Does anybody brew Alt Bier? Have a favorite recipe? What say ye about the German "old" beer?

I think Designing Great Beers has a section on alts, IIRC...but my copy is at home, so I cannot confirm.

I'd suggest consulting that book when delving into any particular traditional style like this. It's really excellent to learn the history of a style while you're learning how to brew it. Gives you perspective and grounding.

Here's a BYO article on alt. http://***********/feature/856.html

An alt was the second beer I ever made. I liked it a lot, but SWMBO didn't. So, not sure when I'll get around to doing another one.

I've made two, and they are both a big hit. Unfortunately, I think the recipes are at home. I'll see what I can gather up this weekend for them.

Our Alts have been very malty, with a mish mash of different grains to provide a real complex malt flavor. Chocolate malt was one of the keys to making a great brew. We used 2 row, munich, vienna, and chocolate in our recipe.

Unfortunately, there's not much in the way of Alt Beers in the US, so it doesn't get much recognition for people to try it and see if they like it.

You can check out the beertools.com recipe library for Alts:

http://www.beertools.com/html/recip...junct=none&hop=none&text=&sort=recent&order=d

I suggest you pick up a copy of Altbier: History, Brewing Techniques, Recipes (Classic Beer Style Series, 12) by Horst D. Dornbusch.
It is a quick read, and wil provide you with the valuable insight to brew your first Altbier.
Here's my tried and true Alt

Alt #1 - This was HELLA tasty in the bottles. I can't wait to do it again and keg it.

Amount Item Type % or IBU
5.00 lb Munich Malt (9.0 SRM) Grain 44.2 %
5.00 lb Pilsner (2 Row) Ger (2.0 SRM) Grain 44.2 %
1.00 lb Caramel/Crystal Malt - 80L (80.0 SRM) Grain 8.8 %
0.18 lb Wheat Malt, Ger (2.0 SRM) Grain 1.6 %
0.13 lb Carafa I (337.0 SRM) Grain 1.1 %
1.00 oz Hallertauer [4.00%] (60 min) Hops 13.9 IBU
1.00 oz Hallertauer [4.00%] (45 min) Hops 12.8 IBU
0.50 oz Spalter [3.50%] (15 min) Hops 3.0 IBU
0.50 oz Spalter [3.50%] (5 min) Hops 1.2 IBU
1 Pkgs German Ale/Kolsch (White Labs #WLP029) Yeast-Ale

Alt #2 - Also very tasty, although I like #1 better. People who have had real Alt beer say this tastes very much like Germany. I've only had a few US micros, so I am not a real good source for it, but I like it.

Amount Item Type % or IBU
6.00 lb Pilsner (2 Row) Ger (2.0 SRM) Grain 51.1 %
2.00 lb Munich Malt (9.0 SRM) Grain 17.0 %
2.00 lb Vienna Malt (3.5 SRM) Grain 17.0 %
0.75 lb Caramunich Malt (60.0 SRM) Grain 6.4 %
0.50 lb Carafoam (2.0 SRM) Grain 4.3 %
0.25 lb Carafa I (337.0 SRM) Grain 2.1 %
0.25 lb Wheat Malt, Ger (2.0 SRM) Grain 2.1 %
2.00 oz Hallertauer [3.20%] (60 min) Hops 22.6 IBU
0.50 oz Spalter [3.50%] (25 min) Hops 4.3 IBU
1.00 oz Tettnang [3.70%] (10 min) Hops 4.3 IBU
0.50 oz Hallertauer [2.50%] (45 min) Hops 4.0 IBU
0.50 oz Spalter [3.50%] (5 min) Hops 1.2 IBU
1 Pkgs Kolsch Yeast (Wyeast Labs #2565) Yeast-Ale

My recipe data base has thh BYO version of the Old World Alt Bier recipe. It was nice and mild with just a slight roastiness.

I did a "tasting Notes" write up on it.

Very easy recipe too.