Northern Waters Smoked Helles
Fitger's Brewhouse

seasonal at the brewpub, malts smoked by Northern Waters smokehaus, also of Duluth, slightly different name and a higher abv than their other (retired) smoked lager

a: shaker pint, crystal clear golden in color with a low, white head

s: clean pale lager structure with a crisp pilsner edge, somewhat grainy but clear and vibrant, great smoke aroma - fresh hardwood - mild and perfectly balanced, some grassy notes from a mild hopping

m: body ranging somewhere between light and medium, with carbonation occupying the lower end of the scale, crisp but a touch undercarbonated

t: crisp pilsner malt flavors form the bulk of the body, as a mild hardwood smoke provides a nice underlayer, really nice smoke presence reminiscent of the great Aecht line, grain, hops grassy, lending a mild balancing bitterness to the finish

d: absolutely no problem with this one, a highly drinkable lager, and the smoke adds just enough interest to keep one sipping

pint at the brewpub, first beer post Isle Royale with the dirtman