Two Brothers Victors MemoriAle Altbier

Brewed by Two Brothers Brewing Company
Style: Altbier
Warrenville, Illinois USA

Deep ruby amber with a frothy beige head out of the bottle. Nutty, with roasted grains and a dark sugar nose. Dark toast, burnt sugar, dark caramel and some dusty chocolate. Not like any altbier I’ve ever had, but tastey.

Dark brown and malty with a strong hop finish. Body is topped with a tan head. Sweet aroma of caramel with notes of wood and a little roast, some bread, chocolate and floral hops. The flavor is mostly sweet and moderately bitter. Full body, light carbonation. Creamy texture. The aroma and flavor of this fit the style description. I am not sure, though, I would seek out this style again.

Didn’t care much for this. Nice deep brown body and an ample tan head. Aroma of caramel, bread dough, maple, and a wisp of smoke. Medium body. Flavor was relatively subtle notes of caramel sweetiness cut with a bitter edge. Confusing beer.

22 oz bomber poured into a small goblet glass. Pours very dark brown with a small head. Aroma is just amazing, first I get strong chocolate brownie, straight up, not exaggerating. Then combine that with a straight laced (but stronger) no thrills German malt sweetness that’s wrapped around some light esters. And searching beneath that there is even a light earthy, floral hop presence. Toasted aspect all around the aroma. Taste definitely has an American twist on the Alt with a strong hop profile, though definitely German floral hops. Then there is a lightly sweetened with chocolate cereal (think chocolate chex). Just a feeling of alcohol, nothing strong but as you drink you definitely feel it’s a beer yet nothing aversive comes out of it. Finishes very light and understated. Low bitterness and extremely quaffable. So surprising how drinkable this is. Feels like I could drink this forever. I have to say that 2 Bros has impressed me every time out.

22 oz. bottle: This was a surprise out of the bottle - pours a deep raisin color with a creamy head that settles into a thin, everlasting cap. The raisins continue to the nose, joined by a healthy dose of chocolate and oak. Creamy, velvetty mouthfeel. Plums, sweet chocolate, vanilla, prunes and apple esthers make up the full body. The finish is hoppy, noting perfume, citrus and a bit of resiny grass. This is interesting to say the least.

Roasty and smokey aroma, filled with a strong earthiness, and some peat flavors. This is a very full-flavored altbier. Also, its alcohol is much higher (as mentioned in the CD). This alcohol is pretty well-hidden, and makes this pretty easy to drink. Heavy.

Dark ruby pour, with a short-lived head and small lace - aroma of brown sugar, caramel, chocolate-covered cherries - the flavor is quite sweet at first, with notes of chocolate, molassas (I can never spell that word right), plums, and other dark fruit - drying, herbal flavors and medium hop presence arrive later - lingering caramel sweetness and hints of cherry - a bit too sweet, but otherwise quite nice.

Pours deep mahogany into a shaker. Fluffy, off-white pancake head leaves sheet lacing as it slowly recedes. Smoked caramel and tangy pit fruit aromas. Smooth and creamy dark hazlenut and caramel. Slight bitter walnut finish.