Brewer: Union Craft Brewing Company
Location: Baltimore, Maryland
Type: Altbier
ABV: 5.5%

As if I haven’t been localized enough, today I bring you Balt Altbier, from the Baltimore-based microbrewery Union Craft. The guys at Union Craft have only been doing the brewing since 2012, and while they have made a few beers since their start, they only have two permanent brews at the moment: Duckpin Pale Ale and Balt Altbier. For those of you who have no idea what “duckpin” is, it’s a weird bowling variation that started in Baltimore in 1900. What else would you name your pale ale if you’re a Baltimoron, hon?

[Loba Tangent: Personally, I’m holding out hope that their next beer is called something like Pink Flamingo Porter or Serial Mom Saison. John Waters, woot!]

Since I have made it very clear that I don’t like hoppy beers, I’m not that fond of Duckpin. However, I find Union’s Balt beer strikingly good. (I saw what I did there.) This is also the first time I’ve written about an Altbier here at the lair. It’s a German-style brown ale that carries smooth, refined flavors thanks in part to a longer conditioning period. I’ve honestly never had an Altbier before that I can remember, so I don’t have a frame of comparison for this one. However, I can tell you that, on its own, Balt is a supremely satisfying beer.

Again, not too thrilled about the can, but this is the beer I mentioned in yesterday’s review as being one of those canned beers that does not bother me with any “can” flavor. I can pop the lid on one of these and just start drinking, or I can pour into a glass to pick up this beer’s bouquet of baking breads, freshly ground wheat, and the subtle sweetness of slowly caramelizing brown sugar. As you can see, this beer is a beautiful chestnut color with a delicate froth. I might have been able to get a better head had I poured a little more vigorously. I don’t like foam mustaches, though, so meh.

Tasting this beer is always a pleasant surprise to me. Considering how young Union Craft is, I’m always delighted when I take that first pull and taste such an extraordinary flavor profile. It’s not heavy, but by no means watery, with a medium mouth feel that’s packed full of toasted, oaty sweetness. Surprisingly, I don’t find this beer’s sweeter elements to be cloying at all, although perhaps a bit more hops as a balance would be an interesting experiment. However, I would hate for them to tamper with something this delicious right out of the can. Literally!