Real Ale Brewers Cut Altbier

Brewed and bottled by Real Ale Brewing Company, Blanco, TX. Bought at HEB in Cinco Ranch and drunk at home while learning about options.

The bottle says "German style ale with noble hops and firm malt character. In the local vernacular of Dusseldorf, sticke means 'secret', a nod to the experimental recipes employed by the brewers of this obscure variation on the Altbier. While the recipe for our Sticke Alt is also a secret, we can tell you that it honors the spirit of this special German style ale with its elevated noble hop profile, more pronounced bitterness, and firm malt character."

The malt balances the bitterness so it is there but not overbearing. This is not a beer for the faint hearted, as there is a pronounced bitterness - just as it says on the label - but there is also an undercurrent of taste that is quite pleasant. Not a beer for drinking every day, but a beer that would go nicely with a pepper steak.