Füchschen Alt

Brewed by Brauerei Im Füchschen
Style: Altbier
Düsseldorf, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany

caramel, earthy, brown, hazy, frothy, medium sweetness, medium bitterness, lightly sour, light body, thin feel, average carbonation, astringent,

If you ever decide to take a trip to Germany, a visit to the state of Northrine-Westphalla is in order. It is here that you will find many of the industries that help fuel the German economy, and it is here that you will find the cities of Cologne, and Dusseldorf. Dusseldorf is a thriving city with lots of big industry, but don’t let the industrial nature of the city throw you off, as there is a lot to do and see. The Konigsallee has some of the best shopping to be found in Germany, with plenty of chic choices for those who love to shop. And then there is the Altstadt. It is here you will find a very vibrant night life with scores of restaurants, and bars. For a beer lover, it does not get any better, as it is here you will find the local specialty, altbier and plenty of it. With in walking distance of each other you will find about nine different places that specialize in serving altbier, and one of my favorites is Brauerei Im Fuchschen which was founded in 1848. "The Fox Den" is a very traditional brewery/brewpub with dark wood panels, pine top tables, and a cozy, inviting decor. Here on the menu you will find traditional, hearty German fare, and one delicious beer to wash it down. That beer is Fuchschen Altbier, and like with all altbiers found in the Altstadt, expect the Kobes or waiter to serve you glasses of this beer continuously until you tell him to stop. The beer flows freely at Im Fuchschenm poured by gravity from a wooden barrel or vom fass. Fuchschen Altbier pours to a beautiful, bright copper color with a bright white head, and a moderate amount of carbonation. The nose on this beer is fragrant with herbal/grassy hop aromas that lead into a sweet malty palate. A touch of estery fruit follows the initial malt sweetness, and then ends with a very vibrant grassy/herbal hop bite that slightly lingers. Very fresh tasting and very drinkable, Fuchschen altbier is the type of beer you will want to drink a lot of. What I love so much about altbier is the contrast of malt and hop character in this beer style. It is almost as if you are getting two beers in one, as you get that initial malt/fruit character up front, which quickly gives way to the vibrant hop character. Fuchschen altbier is another stellar example of this classic Dusseldorf style, and a good example of the range within this style. This beer has more sweet malt flavor than other alts I tried in Dusseldorf, and gives this beer its own signature. While all these classic alts are similar they are very different as well. Give it a try and taste for yourself. You will have to come to Germany to do so, as Fuchschen altbier is not exported, at least not to the United States. But that is fine with me, as I can not think of a place I would rather drink this beer than poured fresh from the barrel.

Vom fass @ Brauerei Im Füchschen, Düsseldorf, Germany.
With the sun now beating down, the life arising in the streets of the morning - Summer ’06 - my wife and I now well fed at this lovely old, timber everything, Brauhaus, it was time for the Altbier to come out. Our Kobe - a lovely, English speaking chap - was all too happy to tell us about their beers, I on the other-hand just needed to taste it. From out the cavernous Brauhaus he presented two glasses of Alt, ticked the coaster and smiled before walking away. The glass began to sweat quickly, its contents a bright, tight, orange copper, quite still, with a ’Real-ale’ messy, frothy off-white head that would be the envy of CAMRA. Toffee, burnt sugar and ripe, tangy oranges on the nose with a degree of peppery spice guaranteed to tickle the nerve endings. Bitter sweet fruits in the mouth, juicy, quenching and tight. Toasted malt shows, provides a solid base for the ample fruit and onslaught of hops to follow as it moves across the palate. SilkTork once told me to simply swallow and not think about the beer so much, I could not do that here. This was juicy. Fresh picked hop buds seem to be still swimming in the fruit punch mix. Its finish is bitter, fruity, tangy but clean and oh so long down the back. The linger of fruit’s supplemented by dusty malt flavours, a little roasted malt even. In Düsseldorf, as with Köln, every one has their favourites and this was mine. A lovely Altbier, a lovely Brauhaus and a handsome tip for our Kobe. Prost Düsseldorf!!!

Smooth maltiness and nice, light fruitiness before giving way to a dry finish carrying a fresh, pleasing bitterness. Complex and well-made. Bottles to go are available at the bar.

mellow malt with touch of nuttiness, plus plenty of hoppy bitterness - similar to zum schlüssel but in my op. not as impressive. very dry finish.

Thanks Norm for this beer hand bottled from the bright tanks and bought back from Germany faster than a UPS over night package. Crisp with notes of pepper, cookies and hops FUCKING OUTSTANDING !!!!!!!!&# Norm also bought back an interesting hefe made by this same guys that was equally as good. Page 244 of Michael Jackson’s Great Beer Guide only 361 out 500 Classic Brews to go.

Bottle. My first [and favorite] Alt from Düsseldorf, have been looking forward to this for some time. Clear cupreous/amber pour, thick eggshell head, medium carbonation. Strong, caramelly, malty aroma with hops and bread. Mouthwatering. Smooth, dark malty flavor, dry finish. Sophisticated medium bitterness, stronger hops in the finish with a dark aftertaste of dried fruits. Stuff just coats the tongue, stays for a long while. Fresh, pleasant, and balanced, no flaws, really, but the story here is the complexity of flavor - I seem to find more and more there with every slurp. Love to try this on tap some day. Big thanks to MoritzF!

Subtle, but good. Caramelly/nutty malts. Nicely dry, pretty much all the way through, with a nicely herbal, bitter hops finish. This is my first 'real' altbier, and i kinda like it. Interesting, and very quaffable, nice soft mouthfeel aswell (bottle- GBBF 03')