Rival is Eppig Brewing’s take on the altbier, the copper-colored top-fermented ale from Dusseldorf. Our notes listed it as an IPA at 6.5% ABV, but BeerAdvocate lists it as an Altbier at 5.5% ABV, and the altbier listing is the verified one. It is one of Eppig’s smaller, less common releases, a nod to the German styles the brewery leans on most.

The basics

• Brewery: Eppig Brewing (Vista, CA)
• Style: Altbier
• ABV: 5.5%
• IBU: Not published

What to expect

Rival pours a clear copper with an off-white head. True to the altbier style, it is top-fermented like an ale but conditioned cold like a lager, which gives it a smooth, clean character with a hint of fruitiness. Expect toasty malt and light caramel up front, a touch of nutty bread crust, and a firm, clean hop bitterness on the finish. The body is medium, the carbonation is moderate, and it finishes dry. It is a malt-forward beer with enough bite to stay interesting.

Our rating

5.0/10

Rated by Alex (5). Alex gave this one a 5, a middle-of-the-road score, and we think that is honest. Rival is a competent altbier that hits the style notes: copper color, toasty malt, clean bitter finish. But it does not do anything to stand out, and at 5.5% it faces stiff competition from the many great German-style beers Eppig itself brews. Worth a try if you like the style, but not one we would chase.