Rock Bottom Chicago CBS Alt Bier

On tap at RB Chicago. Almost clear copper orange with a messy white head of mottled residue and clinging tight lace. Smells clean and sharp, malts predominating. First impression: dark grains in lots of space; the flavor rides on a wet texture, nothing bogging down. Finish is slightly tangy with salty dirty bitter on the sides. The grain flavors are superb in this: the salty maize and dark wheat explode in the mouth. Very well made in its simplicity, like a perfectly proportioned Shaker table made of highly polished walnut. Easily the best alt I’ve ever had.

On tap at the brewpub: This poured a clear reddish copper body with a thick and creamy head leaving gobs of clumpy lace on the sides of the glass. It has a fruity nose, juicy red apples, along with a caramel sweetness. The flavor has a sweet toastiness to it, still fruity, and has a liberal dosage of floral/herbal bitterness that grows as the drinking goes on. Very sessionable.

Draft at the brewpub. Pours a pale, clear brown, almost amber. Nose has minimal hops, most clean malts and bread. A touch of dust. On the taste, very crisp and clean bitterness that just holds up the malts. Minimal/no hop flavor with a well bolstered hunk of bitterness, which is pretty well to style. Well crafted Alt!

On tap. Pours clear brown with an thin tan head. Nose of hops, and a chunk o malt. Very easy to drink. Has a little bit of a bitter finish. The hops and the toffee malt are well balanced. Enjoyable.

on tap at RB Chicago. pours light tan with off white head. nose of floral hops, toffee malt. flavors are very clean and crisp, a nice peppery and floral hop character with a toch of toffee malt. another hopped up german style brew from RB Chicago. great stuff.