hopIQ
ENDE
Build your DNASign in

Hexenbier

Tap to rate

Hexenbier, literally witches' beer, shows roasted aromas according to those who have tried it. It comes from Altenauer Brauerei in Altenau, the last brewery left in the Upper Harz, which calls itself Northern Germany's highest-lying private brewery. Brewing in the town goes back to 1617, when local miners and smelter workers were allowed to make their own beer.

Bitterness
Lightly bitter
Roasted bitterness
SRM
pale gold4
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
Balance
malt-forwardhop-forward
What makes this beer itself
roasted
roasted
Aroma
The nose leads with pronounced roasted grain character, lending an earthy, slightly toasted quality that sets this lager apart from its lighter-colored peers.
not found:hoppy,caramel,fruity,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Hexenbier

◎ Appearance

Hexenbier presents a pale straw to light golden hue, characteristic of its low color rating. The beer displays excellent clarity with bright, limpid appearance. A fine, persistent white head builds readily and clings to the glass with delicate lacing as the level drops.

pale goldencrystal clearfine white head

◌ Aroma

The nose leads with pronounced roasted grain character, lending an earthy, slightly toasted quality that sets this lager apart from its lighter-colored peers. Beneath the roasted notes lie subtle malt sweetness and the clean, neutral backdrop typical of well-executed lager fermentation. Noble hop aromatics provide a restrained herbal undertone without dominating the profile.

roasted grainearthyclean lager

◐ Taste

Entry is crisp and refreshing, with the roasted character from the nose translating to a dry, mildly grainy palate impression despite the beer's pale color. The mid-palate remains clean and uncomplicated, allowing the subtle malt foundation to sit comfortably before a gentle, well-integrated bitterness emerges. At 22 IBU, the finish leans toward the restrained side, permitting the malt and roasted nuances to linger without harshness.

roasted undertonedry graingentle bitterness

◑ Finish

The finish is clean and moderately brief, with a fading roasted note that echoes the beer's initial aroma impression. A light, slightly grainy dryness persists in the aftertaste, inviting another sip.

clean finishmild roasted fade
78
hopIQ score
Aroma
79
Taste
77
Appearance
80
Finish
76
Serve at 4–7°C

Serve well-chilled at 4–6°C. Carbonation and crispness are the main event — cold preserves both.

Stein

The sturdy German stein maintains temperature and keeps carbonation intact. Built for long, convivial drinking.

Store cold and drink fresh. Lagers are at their crispest within 3–4 months.

+ Sign in to add your tasting note

Food Pairing

What to eat with Hexenbier

More from Altenauer Brauerei

Altenauer Edelpils
Altenauer Edelpils
German Pilsner
4.9%·Noticeably bitter
Find matches →
Altenauer Frühlingsbock
Freiheit
Freiheit
Alcohol-Free Lager
0.5%·Lightly bitter
Find matches →
Harzer Dunkel
Harzer Dunkel
Dunkel
5%·Lightly bitter
Find matches →
Harzer Gebirgswinter
Harzer Höhlenbier
Harzer Hüttenbier
Harzer Hüttenbier
Lager
5%·Lightly bitter
Find matches →
Harzer Urstoff
Harzer Urstoff
Lager
5%·Lightly bitter
Find matches →

About Lager

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Lager?

Euro Pale Lagers are clean, refreshing lagers with 4–5.5% ABV and IBU 10–25. Soft malt sweetness, light hop bitterness and high carbonation make them supremely drinkable.

Finding a similar Lager

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same roasted character as Hexenbier will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

Compare with another beer →Explore all Lager beers in hopIQ →Browse Germany beers →