Atlas Fest Bier
DC Brau Brewing Co.

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From:
DC Brau Brewing Co.
 
District of Columbia, United States
Style:
Helles
ABV:
5%
Score:
85
Avg:
3.64 | pDev: 10.99%
Reviews:
6
Ratings:
12
Status:
Retired
Rated:
Jun 23, 2014
Added:
Sep 10, 2011
Wants:
  0
Gots:
  0
Atlas Fest Bier is our seasonal offering of a traditional German-style Spezial Helles brewed only for Fall. Ours will be released just in time for the 2011 H St. Festival. Fermented at 58-60°F for 2 weeks and then lagered for 5 weeks - progressively reducing the temperature by 2°F each day until we reach our terminal temperaure of 36°F. Atlas Fest Bier is brewed with American Brewers 2 row Pale malt, Munich malt and Aromatic malt. It was hopped with American grown German Perle to achieve a light, highly drinkable 17 IBU. There are also bready, biscuty and sweet malt notes in the aroma.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
 
Rated: 4.25 by wrightst from Maryland

Jun 23, 2014
 
Rated: 3 by KevMo84 from California

May 27, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by masonkessinger from District of Columbia

Aug 02, 2012
 
Rated: 4 by IrishColonial from Texas

Dec 14, 2011
 
Rated: 4 by mchodge13 from Maryland

Dec 07, 2011
 
Rated: 4 by Daniellobo from District of Columbia

Nov 16, 2011
Photo of Rhettroactive
Reviewed by Rhettroactive from Virginia

3.5/5  rDev -3.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
From 64oz growler to pint glass on 9/13/11
*From notes

-- Thanks for sharing, Eric --

A: Cloudy pale amber, almost wit-like. A generous pour yields a 1.5 finger head and only moderate lacing.

S: It literally smells like a grain till. Massive amounts of golden grains envelop the nostrils from top to bottom.

T: The first thing that strikes me is how smooth this beer is. It allows the flavor profile to develop naturally on the palate without being overly cloying. There's a pronounced earthy side to it, and though I'd like a bit more toast, the finish is clean and inoffensive.

M: Not as frothy a lager as I'd hoped for, but it's certainly upper middle class. The carbonation, if a bit creamier, could have really balanced the beer. Instead, it's a bit soft, allowing the grain bill to brashly collide with my tastebuds.

O: DC Brau's Atlas Festbier Spezial is a pretty good initial stab at lagering. I don't foresee this winning many awards for new flavor concepts, yet it's quite approachable and sessionable. For what it is, I'd say it's probably pretty close to brewmaster's the original vision.

Not half bad, gents.
Sep 21, 2011
Photo of Thorpe429
Reviewed by Thorpe429 from Illinois

3.03/5  rDev -16.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
On tap at Churchkey. Served in a mini snifter.

Pours a light caramel color with a thin head and a bit of lacing. The nose brings loads of grain and a bit of bread. Faint tannin character there as well. The flavor has loads of grain and moderate tannin. Light-medium body and a slight hop bitterness. Not my favorite from DC Brau.
Sep 18, 2011
Photo of yourefragile
Reviewed by yourefragile from District of Columbia

3.08/5  rDev -15.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3
Sample at CK.

Pours a murky pale copper, it probably had some head but fades to the thinnest of caps with no lacing.

Very grainy and sweet aroma, caramel malt and corn.

Flavor is intensely grainy with mild sweetness, caramel and sugar in the finish. Medium body with high, fine carbonation.

Not terrible but not particularly average either.
Sep 17, 2011
Photo of Smakawhat
Reviewed by Smakawhat from Maryland

3.66/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Poured on tap at the brewery a one time only release of a Helles Spezial made with ale yeast fermented at lager temperatures. Drabmuh has informed me though that they do plan to consider making this in the future. That would be good!

A cloudy light orange amber body with hints of yellow hues. Not much of a head given, other pours show a light soupy off white caramel colored head. Looks decent enough.

Nose is closed. Very much so. I get next to nothing off this for a scent, but I will say there is nothing offensive or faulty going on here.

Intersting taste of crisp mix and bready malt. Estery fruit yeast it seems, with a mild lemon and light bodied texture.

Overall pretty tasty, not exactly my favorite style or one I gravitate to but a solid beer none the less.
Sep 10, 2011
Photo of WMEugene
Reviewed by WMEugene from Virginia

3.82/5  rDev +4.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Poured from a growler straight from the brewery into a pint glass.

A - Dark golden color. Minimal amount of head retention, thin spotty layer of white bubbles.

S - Smell of grains; pleasant but not particularly strong or aromatic.

T - Very smooth taste with a hint of bitterness. Slight taste of caramel. Very drinkable.

M - Has a nice body to it. Light, but not too thin in the mouth.

Overall, the Atlas Festbier Spezial is a nice, easy-drinking helles. It is a great "sessionable" type beer; one that is a clear cut above your standard lager and is well-done for the style.
Sep 10, 2011
Photo of drabmuh
Reviewed by drabmuh from Maryland

3.58/5  rDev -1.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
On draft at the brewery. Beer is yellow amber with a soft white was if small and medium bubbles.

Aroma is a little grainy a little sweet. Smells good.

Beer is light in body and sweet up front. Nice yeast character, mild bitterness. The caramel from the munich comes through nicely. It is enjoyable for a helles and i would have it again.
Sep 10, 2011
Atlas Fest Bier from DC Brau Brewing Co.
Beer rating: 85 out of 100 with 12 ratings