When lager brewing set out to conquer the world in the mid-1800's, not everyone got with the program. Though Germany was the center of the lager revolution, Düsseldorf was one of the only cities to hold onto its tradition of ale brewing in the form of Altbier. Alt "old," is an adjective that Germans tend to use wistfully. Altbier is similar to ales found in Belgium and England, but the German style has its own unmistakable personality. Chuckanut Brewery Alt has only a hint of fruitiness that gives it away as an ale- otherwise the flavors are very clean and round, with a medium-bodied malty center supported by a refreshingly sharp whack of hop bitterness. Watch for a finish that is dry and clipped short. Our Alt is traditionally fermented warm but matured at relatively cold temperatures for up to several weeks; this practice takes off the rough edges and produces a beer that is smooth despite its distinctive hoppiness. Altbiers are brisk and relatively light, usually reaching a strength just short of 5 percent.