Rochester, NY — In German, “alt” means “old,” but at the Genesee Brew House Altbier is the newest installment in the Pilot Batch series.
Genesee is tapping into its rich tradition of German-style beers with a distinctive new Altbier that reflects the classic Düsseldorfstyle. Altbier, the latest Genesee Brew House Pilot Batch beer, has a rich malty base that appeals to lager fans and aromatic hop character for IPA lovers.
True Düsseldorf-style altbier is difficult to find in the United States – until now. Genesee Brew House Pilot Batch’s limited edition Altbier has a deep copper color and is brewed with Munich malt and traditional Hallertau noble hops, yielding 5.5% ABV and 30 IBUs. The Altbier is brewed using ale yeast at a cooler temperature, then it is long cold-aged to produce a slightly hoppy, well-attenuated, balanced ale.
Old world brewers found that colder fermentation produced a smoother beer. The secret of making an altbier is the use of ale yeast at much cooler temperatures – a process reserved for lagers – so it does not have the fruitiness and typical ale profiles that would come from fermenting at higher temperatures. For this reason, Genesee brewmasters kept the Altbier chilled at 54-55 degrees during fermentation and have produced a distinguished ale-style brew using traditional lager techniques.
“I was trained in the German style of brewing and traditional, German-style beers were some of my first loves,” said Genesee Brewmaster Dean Jones. “The Düsseldorf Altbier is an obscure style that not many people know about, but I believe it fits in today’s beer scene. I’m excited to give people the opportunity to try a beer style they may not have had the chance to enjoy yet.”
The Düsseldorf-style Altbier, with its distinct hop flavor, is something that all beer lovers can enjoy. The Hallertau hops provide a very unique flavor and aroma profile, and beer drinkers can expect a smooth and clean taste with the crispness of a lager.
Genesee Brew House Pilot Batch Düsseldorf-Style Altbier will be available in select retailers throughout the Northeast. To locate the beer closest to you, check out the online beer finder.
About the Genesee Brew House
Once a century-old packaging center, The Genesee Brew House has transformed the 9,200 square-foot space into a beer destination for upstate New York and beyond. The first floor of the Brew House features interactive exhibits, multi-media content, a retail shop and a pilot brewery complete with a tasting bar. Upstairs, there is a pub-style restaurant with a 41-foot bar (hand-crafted out of old, wooden Genesee brewing tanks), outdoor terrace seating and a rooftop patio.
The Genesee Brew House tells a story of the Genesee Brewing Company that dates back to 1878. The brewery lays claim to being one of the oldest and longest continually operating breweries in the United States. By using an eclectic mix of vintage barrels, reclaimed wood, exposed ceiling, neon signs, new technology and modern exhibits, The Brew House will bring Genesee’s story alive for generations to come. Visit www.geneseebeer.com/brewhouse to learn more.
About The Genesee Brewery
Based in Rochester and established in 1878, the Genesee Brewery is the oldest brewery in New York State, and is part of North American Breweries. The brewery makes the classic Genesee line of beers, Original Honey Brown Lager and Dundee Ales & Lagers family of craft beers. The Genesee Brewery also manufactures beer and other alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages under contracts on behalf of other companies. In 2010, the Genesee Brewery earned AIB Certification, a global food safety organization widely recognized in the food and beverage industry. Visit www.geneseebeer.com to learn more.