Chicagoist's "Beer of the Week:" Metropolitan's Iron Works Alt
By Karl Klockars in Food on Mar 25, 2011 8:40PM
You may have noticed that the BotW Beat has been trying to keep it local. That trend continues this week as we dive headfirst into the brand-new beer from Metropolitan Brewing, the Iron Works Alt.
More than a year after we sat down with Tracy Hurst for the Chicagoist Podcast Series (brewer and one of craft beer's obsequious minions), we finally dragged ass over to the Metropolitan brewing facility. They were in full bottling swing, but still had time to yank some brew out of the cooler for little ol' us. (As such, in full disclosure, this beer was provided gratis, with our thanks.)
Iron Works Alt may bring to mind a similar Metro beer, the I-Beam, which was their last altbier. (The IW recipe is apparently similar but not a straight remake). This brew, whose label boasts the friendly robot Fritz, pours orange-copper with a slowly dissipating eggshell-white head. The label says it's "an assertively hoppy top-fermented beer," and as German-styled brews go, that's accurate. There's a light, crisp bitterness at the front of the beer but hopheads expecting a massive IBU wallop had best look elsewhere.
The IW is also dry, malty and just a little sweet on the back end. It's easy as hell to drink, and the clarity? Crystal. If last week's Ambrosia was perfect for a warmer spring day, the Iron Works is spot on for a bright Friday afternoon with a bit of a chill. (Alternatively, this would be fantastic in early fall as well.) Easily sessionable at just under 6% ABV.
Special thanks again go to Jess, Doug, Tracy and the rest of the Metro family. Metropolitan Brewing's Iron Works Alt is Chicagoist's Beer of the Week.
Still thirsty? Check out more news and reviews from the world of craft beer at GuysDrinkingBeer.com.