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Home / German Beer Styles / Sticke
It's probably fair to describe this as an Alt Bock style, but I've no idea if that term is ever used. Sticke is a stronger version of Altbier (see separate Altbier page) and is brewed as an occasional treat for the Altbier drinkers of Düsseldorf, usually brewed in single batches a few times per year by Altbier breweries. It's difficult to find, as it's arrival is not well-publicised and Sticke is local slang for "secret".
The Sticke Warriors website [www.stickewarriors.com] states: "They don't advertise or promote it — on the day before they hang a sign (in slang) that says 'Tomorrow Sticke'."
Sticke is stronger than Altbier (often around 6.5 percent abv) and has an intensified Altbier aroma and taste. It tends to be a dark, reddish brown in colour, and has a malty richness on the nose. The taste tends to be malty, but not overly sweet, with a fairly high degree of hoppy bitterness and hints of fruit, perhaps blackcurrant. As with Altbier, there tends to be a blend of dark and pale malts. Sticke is, perhaps, the closest you'll get in Germany to a strong British ale, but not that close.
Sticke is very rarely available in the UK. I came across some Uerige Sticke in the foreign beer bar at the London Drinker beer festival (organised by North London CAMRA), where it was being served on tap, which just goes to show what you could miss if you don't keep a check on CAMRA's festivals diary.
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Last updated: 16th May 2002
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