Hops and Grain Alt-eration
Alt-ertaion, a 5% ABV altbier from Hops and Grain, is the second of three beers that I received last week in the mail. The first (The One They Call Zoe) was a tasty and refreshing pale lager and as a result a good introduction to the brewery. I was really looking forward to this next offering and it did not disappoint.
Alt-eration is brewed with a blend of German Pilsner, Munich, Vienna and debittered black malts. It is then hopped with a combination of Mt. Hood, Hallertauer Hersbrucker and Czech Saaz hop varieties. The result is a well balanced, slightly zesty altbier that drinks smoothly and, just like it’s pale sibling, refreshing wonderfully.
Appearance
Pouring a chestnut brown, Alt-eration sits with a rocky crown of light tan foam.
Aroma
Cereal, caramel, earthy malt, bread and a touch of spicy hops fill the nose cleanly.
Taste
This medium bodied brew starts off with a solid amount of bready malt that brings light caramel and a soft roast to the palate. It smoothly transitions through a light sweetness before rounding out with a lasting, low level of hop bitterness in the clean finish. It’s wonderfully balanced between the malt backbone and earthy hop character. Alt-eration is easy drinking and flavorful.
Overall
It may not technically fall into the “sessionable” realm, but this beer is quite quaffable. It’s got a great flavor profile with an earthy quality that persists from the malt beginning through to the appropriate hop presence that lingers nicely. So far of the two sample from Hops and Grain, I think I prefer this more full-flavored brew over their pale lager. Either way, both beers are tasty and well crafted. Next week we’ll take a look at the brewery’s pale ale, Pale Dog.
Rating: 3.75/5
This is a review of a promotional sample from the brewery.
