Red Baron Altbier at Fratellos

Last Tuesday, I posted a note about the new draught system they’ve installed at Fratellos in Oshkosh. If you’d like to put those new taps to the test, here’s the beer to start with.

Each year during the EAA Fly-In, Fox River Brewing Company brings back its Red Baron Altbier to Fratellos in Oshkosh. This is a Düsseldorf-style altbier; a type of German ale noted for its complex malt character and assertive bitterness. It’s a style of beer I’m especially partial to, so I always looked forward to Red Baron coming back around. This year’s edition is as good as it has ever been.

The beer pours deep red with a creamy, tan foam that clings to the glass. The aroma is rich and toasty with a whisp of mingling tobacco. The beer is full-bodied with a biscuity malt flavor leading the way. On its heels comes a firm, peppery bitterness that frames the malt beautifully. The beer feels more substantial on the palate than its 5% ABV would indicate, making this an ideal session beer. And it’s a beer interesting enough to spend some time with.

Poured from those new draught lines, Red Baron comes across clean, balanced and lively. Here’s the brew to reintroduce yourself to what’s happening on the beer side at Fratellos.