Schlüssel Alt

Brewed by Hausbrauerei Zum Schlüssel
Style: Altbier
Düsseldorf, Germany

Serve in Kölsch/Altbier

Schlüssel, Düsseldorf. Head is initially large, frothy, light brown, fully lasting. Body is clear light to medium brown. Aroma is moderately malty (toasted bread/grain, cookie, caramel), lightly hoppy (herbs), trace yeast (dough). Flavor is moderately sweet, lightly bitter. Finish is lightly sweet, moderately bitter. Medium body, watery/creamy texture, lively carbonation. Quite easily the best of the main Düsseldorf alts, and good to see the score here suggests exactly that.

Drank at the pub in Dusseldorf. I thought Schlüssel offered the best, flavorful balance -- between the hops and the malt -- of any of the Alts I tried in Dusseldorf. It works in the bitterness and those lightly toasted malts without sacrificing your attention to either. I had three glasses: one before my meal, one to wash down my fried bratwurst and potatoes, and another for good measure. Each was better than the last.

Really a fine beer. The bottle looks old but good. The beer is very bock-like, dry and strong, really delicious. A good beer.

Bottle. Malty, dark bread, a little bit roasted, light hoppy & sour, nice aroma. Very big foamy head, mostly lasting. Dark red body. Light sweet start, moderate bitter finish. Light body, dry texture, soft carbonation. Good Alt.

Clearish straight amber coloured alt covered by an incredible tight off-white foam. It just stays there, sticky like glue, lasting, rocky. Upon the first whiff, you know you’re in for a malt bomb of an alt. Hugely malty example with the deepest nutty nuances of any beer I know. Grenoble nuts with dried brown sugar galore. Gently bready to calm the game. Fresh… make that Fresh again so the message comes through. Despite the generosity of its maltiness, this impressive artwork appears quite dry on the palate, partly because of its exquisite toastiness, partly because of its very smooth, yet crisp carbonation, active and a constant reminder of the beer’s sincere desire to refresh. Woodsy, leafy light hops make it as balanced as it gets solely by doing their job: support the malt. Toasted all the way and only lightly bitter. I believe this to be the top altbier in the world.

Bottle from a great trade with Koelschtrinker (thanks!). Brown color with a medium beige head that disapears quite fast. Aroma of malt, toast, caramel, some nuts and hops. Flavor of sweetish malt, caramel, some fruitiness and hops. Finish is mildly bitter, and has some light roastiness notes. Nice medium to full body. A very nice Altbier.

Draught at the brewpub. Clear amber coloured with a white head. Malty aroma of hay, caramel and hops. Malty flavour of caramel, hat and hops. Dry hoppy finish. Well balanced.

A lot of this was indulged from the woodat the tap in Dusseldorf- a tough choice but my second favourite alt behind Schumacher. A little more hoppy than some other alts making it very refreshing and wonderfully balanced. The Hallartau hop gives it a lovely aroma and good malt presents a biscuity backgound. Very morish.