Uerige Sticke Alt

Review Date 6/26/2000  By John Staradumsky

  Style: Sticke Alt   Brewery: Uerige   Country: Germany   State: N/A   $ Per OZ: N/A   ABV: 6%

Altbier is a German style of ale native to Dusseldorf, Germany. German brewed examples are hard enough to find in America; Uerige's version is almost impossible. I  was lucky enough to receive this beer (and several others I might add) courtesy of the very generous Conrad Seidl, acclaimed Austrian beer writer and all around great guy. Conrad visited Rhode Island back in the nineties and I had the pleasure of his company for a day in which many beers were enjoyed and much beery conversation was spent.

Alt is German for old, and in this case it does not mean the beer has age on it. Rather, the term here refers to the fact that the beer is fermented in the "old" style employing ale yeast. Today, most German beers are lagers, making Altbier somewhat of a rarity.. It is usually light brown in color, malty, and with a pronounced hop finish. Unlike most ales it is cold conditioned to result in a cleaner, less fruity taste.

"Sticke" is slang for "secret", and the beer is so-called because it isn't usually announced when the beer will be on at the Uerige brewpub (I understand other Dusseldorf breweries have the same practice). It's a slightly bigger brother to the more readily available altbier.

Michael Jackson said of the beer in his Pocket Guide to Beer:

Düsseldorfer Altbier is one of Germany’s great beer styles. Uerige Alt is in my view the finest example of the style, and one of Germany’s truly great beers. I love it for its big, spicy hop aroma; its firm, malty, middle; and its confidently dry, appetizing, finish. No short cuts, no compromises: a beer that punches it weight. Zum Uerige Sticke beautifully retains this balance. It is smooth, complex, elegant and a wonderful aperitif. A generous beer, with a touch of luxury.

I have an autographed copy of the Pocket Guide to Beer, it is one of my most prized possessions.

Uerige says of this beer:

Uerige Sticke gibt es zwei Mal im Jahr im Ausschank – am jeweils dritten Dienstag im Januar und Oktober. Dieses Bier wird mit mehr Malz und Hopfen gebraut und ist deutlich gehaltvoller als Uerige Alt: Hinter dem intensiven, eleganten Aroma verbergen sich 6 % Alkohol.

Der ungewöhnliche Name leitet sich davon ab, dass man in früheren Zeiten „stickum“ („hinter vorgehaltener Hand“) weitererzählte, dass der Braumeister wohl etwas zu großzügig beim Abwiegen der Zutaten war.

Der höhere Alkoholgehalt gestattet Lagerzeiten, die beträchtlich über das von uns garantierte Mindestfrischedatum hinausgehen.

Which means if you don't speak German:

Uerige Sticke is served twice a year – on the third Tuesday in January and October. This beer is brewed with more malt and hops and is much richer than Uerige Alt: 6% alcohol is hidden behind the intense, elegant aroma.

The unusual name derives from the fact that in earlier times it was said "stickum" ("behind closed doors") that the master brewer was probably a little too generous when weighing the ingredients.

The higher alcohol content allows for storage times that are considerably longer than the minimum freshness date we guarantee.

Sticke has a deep ruby color with a healthy amount of carbonation, a big "poof" announced that fact when I popped off the swingtop. The nose promises gentle malt sweetness, and when I take my first sip this is exactly what I get, the malt body is almost brown ale like with a gentle toastiness, a hint of chocolate, and a remarkably clean profile from the cold conditioning. The finish is wonderfully bitter with a lingering (Saaz? Hallertau?) intensity. Just a fantastic beer all around.

This is a wonderful beer to serve with a garlic crusted pork roast and mashed or roasted potatoes. I will cut diamond patterns into the rind of the pork, insert garlic into the cuts and then rub the skin with salt and pepper. Pour some cold dark beer over the roast during cooking and enjoy with a good alt.

Glad I tried it?  T

Would I rebuy it??