Lancaster Oldtimer Altbier

Big hop aroma with a faint hint of caramel. Cascades in an alt? Oh heavens, that just does *not* work. A rich, sweet, biscuit beginning, bitterness in the middle, slight spiciness in end. This kinda works, okay. Oddly enough, without the aroma, the bitterness and the caramel work well together. Shame it doesn’t smell better.

I like the complexity of Lancaster beers, and I like their balance and innovation. The fact that the entire area is a bastion of right wing nutjobs won’t enter into my review. As long as they don’t enact prohibition, I’m cool. The brewpub looks like an old horse barn, and smells slightly better. The food is very well done, and the beers have always impressed me. This one pours amber with a medium head and minimal lacing. Aroma of malt, slight dark fruit and hopcit. Tastes malty, fairly rich, with finishing touches of nuts, dark fruit, and cinnamon. The finish is slightly dry, and the beer is ever-so-slightly watery, but it is well worth trying.

On tap. Poured a medium golden color with an averaged sized white head. Sweet malty aroma with light nuts. Vanilla tastes come through. Light caramel. Sweet tasting.

Most definately one of the best alt’s I’ve had. Reminds me of a slightly lighter and spicier version of the Baltic Porter. Nice sweet malt flavor with some vanilla hints sneaking through. A bit nutty also.

Draft at the Grey Lodge in Philly. Nothing out of the norm here. Tasted and looked like your typical alt. Very drinkable.

This Alt had a nice dry, crisp finish. Spiced (hop) flavor that satisified my yearn for a medium bodied beer.

Medium brown, fairly clear with a light aroma of roasted malt. Medium body, smooth, nice malts and a clean crisp finish. A bit of hops at the end. This was quite good.

Pint at the brewpub, with Tidiaguy. Alas, I took almost no notes on this, it’s all memory which is poor...unlike this fine alt, which was caramelly, juicy, nutty, just a hint bitter towards the end, and exceptionally full-bodied. Certainly one of the better alts I’ve had, and I’ll take better notes next time!