Me: Hey COMDB Translation Department, what does “sticke alt” mean in German?
COMDB Translation Department: Can you keep a secret?
Me: Yes.
COMDB Translation Department: So can we (derisive laughter in the background).
Left to my own devices, I checked the COM library (libeery?) and apparently “sticke altbier” in a Dusseldorf dialect is “secret old beer”. In days of old, when beers were bold, and only women wore dresses,* the brewer would take an altbier and booze it up a bit “secretly” and dish it out to unknowing patrons as a brewer’s bonus, a fall or winter Saturday night special for the red nosed regulars. These days altbiers are rare, and sticke alts even more so.**
Les Trois Mousquetaires out of Brossard Quebec, previously treated us to a strong blonde with their Maibock, this one is an altbier on steroids. Certainly the highest IBU we have seen for a lager at 74!
A copper coloured semi-clear craft, with an early winter first snowfall froth. A malty amberesque aroma piquing my taste buds. First quaff is a malt caramel body, with a bit of a piquant peppery finish. The malt caramel is very tasty, with an unexpected blackened pepper backend. The spices tail off and what remains is a strong amber with a frisky finish. Maybe the peppery is from my bar mix snack? Another swig confirms that it is in fact the beer. But lesson learned, no spicy snacks with my next Sticke Alt.
Some fancy sticke handling here, with a combination that was different to me but I was not indifferent to it. Another unique and strong super suds showing from the fine folks at LTM.
0 Comments