New Glarus Alt

New Glarus Brewing Company
New Glarus, Wisconsin

APPEARANCE: 2.25/3
Deep bronze color. Crisp, clean. Cream head, big bubbles, fades quickly.

AROMA: 3.25/4
Sweet aroma–fruity, raisin/prune nose. Minimal hop. Some woody notes.

TASTE: 7.25/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 2.75/4: All malt. Prune, brown sugar, dates. Oaky notes. No real hop flavor (could use some).
Aftertaste: 2.5/3: Bitterness at end, a sour bounce on the tongue, too. Raisin, licorice, even some subtle coconut flavors.
Mouth-Feel: 2/3: Alcohol up front. Taste moves from front to back. Really big–complex, lots of different flavors going on.

OVERALL: 2/3: Definitely not a session beer. Complex and unique, not the typical crisp, dry, German Alt style.

TOTAL: 14.75/20–I'll Try A Pint

NOTES:
Matt: Huge for an Alt, lots of alcohol. Not a bad beer, just not an Altbier.
Ben: Not dry nor crisp finish, as an Alt should be. More like a Belgian double–misses the mark on style.

Alaskan Amber Alt Style Beer

Alaskan Brewing Company
Juneau, Alaska

APPEARANCE: 2.5/3
Pretty color, minimal head that doesn't last.

AROMA: 3/4
Sweet nose, some nuttiness. No hop aroma, per style.

TASTE: 7.75/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 3/4: Appropriately malty, mild bitterness–could be hoppier.
Aftertaste: 2.5/3: Some citrusy hop flavor. Sweet. Toasty nut flavor, subtle pumpkin notes.
Mouth-Feel: 2.25/3: A little thin, maybe–could use more body. Refreshing, though, and very crisp..

OVERALL: 2.5/3: Nice session–good alternative to a boring lager. A crisp, nutty brew.

TOTAL: 15.75/20–Pour Me Another

NOTES:
Matt: I have no sentimental attachment, but I like it–I'd like it to be hoppier, but it's a nice session beer that isn't a usual pils.
Ben: I DO have a sentimental attachment–reminds me of grad school in Alaska. A staple beer for a true-blooded Alaskan.