-
Stop lurking! Log in to search, post in our forums, review beers, see fewer ads, and more. — Todd, Founder of BeerAdvocate
Helles Belles
Ninkasi Brewing Company
- From:
- Ninkasi Brewing Company
- Oregon, United States
- Style:
- Helles
- ABV:
- 5.3%
- Score:
- 82
- Avg:
- 3.6 | pDev: 11.11%
- Reviews:
- 42
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- May 12, 2019
- Added:
- Aug 28, 2011
- Wants:
- 4
- Gots:
- 29
No description / notes.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by 1971bernat:
Rated by 1971bernat from Virginia
2.5/5 rDev -30.6%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5
Jan 02, 2018
2.5/5 rDev -30.6%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5
Jan 02, 2018
More User Ratings:
Reviewed by mjohnd from California
2.69/5 rDev -25.3%
look: 2 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 1.5 | overall: 2.5
2.69/5 rDev -25.3%
look: 2 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 1.5 | overall: 2.5
I was hoping for something like a rich, malty, yet eminently drinkable Bavarian Helles — only fresher because it’s domestic. That’s what I always hope for. I pour the golden elixir with vigor, as is my habit, from the bottle into a freshly washed and well rinsed Pilsner glass. Oh oh, the head is quite thin, with no lacing to speak of, and it dissipates quickly. A bad sign.
The aroma and flavor are malty, nearly on the money, just a bit thin. It doesn’t have that overly grainy taste that many domestic craft lagers have. The hopping is correct for the style, noble hops — spicy not fruity.
Yet something is seriously wrong with this beer. The problem, I believe, is the mouthfeel. Watery. The bubbles are too big. It’s not fluffy like a real Helles. Not what you want for this style. Disappointing.
Aug 15, 2018The aroma and flavor are malty, nearly on the money, just a bit thin. It doesn’t have that overly grainy taste that many domestic craft lagers have. The hopping is correct for the style, noble hops — spicy not fruity.
Yet something is seriously wrong with this beer. The problem, I believe, is the mouthfeel. Watery. The bubbles are too big. It’s not fluffy like a real Helles. Not what you want for this style. Disappointing.
Reviewed by Spikester from Oregon
3.69/5 rDev +2.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
3.69/5 rDev +2.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Clear gold with one finger of white five minute head. Splotches of lace.
Smell is floral hops with some bready malts.
The taste is crisp clean floral hops with a balanced amount of malt.
Mouthfeel is light to medium with good carbonation. The finish is lightly dry and balanced.
Overall a tasty lager with a decent hop level.
Jan 27, 2018Smell is floral hops with some bready malts.
The taste is crisp clean floral hops with a balanced amount of malt.
Mouthfeel is light to medium with good carbonation. The finish is lightly dry and balanced.
Overall a tasty lager with a decent hop level.
Rated by mbb500 from Nevada
3.98/5 rDev +10.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
3.98/5 rDev +10.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Just a crisp refreshing beer fit for a hot day. Nothing complex but a competent brew.
Sep 04, 2017Reviewed by pianoguy from Washington
4.11/5 rDev +14.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
4.11/5 rDev +14.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
12 oz bottle. No bottling info
Pours a hazy pale yellow body with a white head. Lots of visible carbonation but not very much retention or lacing.
Light aroma is mostly a Kohlsch/Marzen scent. Soda biscuit and grassy meadow. Not very prominent
Taste follows with a little malt. It's clean and crisp.
Moderate carbonation seems to fit this beer.
There was a lot to like about this beer. It's clean and very drinkable. It would be a good beer for after mowing the lawn. I will have this one again !
Apr 23, 2017Pours a hazy pale yellow body with a white head. Lots of visible carbonation but not very much retention or lacing.
Light aroma is mostly a Kohlsch/Marzen scent. Soda biscuit and grassy meadow. Not very prominent
Taste follows with a little malt. It's clean and crisp.
Moderate carbonation seems to fit this beer.
There was a lot to like about this beer. It's clean and very drinkable. It would be a good beer for after mowing the lawn. I will have this one again !
Reviewed by Wasatch from Colorado
4.12/5 rDev +14.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
4.12/5 rDev +14.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
12 oz. Bottle
Pours a pretty nice clean/clear golden yellow color, pretty nice carbonation, with a pretty nice thick/creamy one-finger white head, which also leaves some nice sticky lacing behind. The nose is malty, grassy/wheaty. The taste is malty, grassy/wheaty, nice little sweetness. Medium body. Overall, a pretty tasty brew.
Apr 19, 2017Pours a pretty nice clean/clear golden yellow color, pretty nice carbonation, with a pretty nice thick/creamy one-finger white head, which also leaves some nice sticky lacing behind. The nose is malty, grassy/wheaty. The taste is malty, grassy/wheaty, nice little sweetness. Medium body. Overall, a pretty tasty brew.
Helles Belles from Ninkasi Brewing Company
Beer rating:
82 out of
100 with
128 ratings
We love reviews (150 characters or more)! Check out: How to Review a Beer. You don't need to get fancy. Drop some thoughts on the beer's attributes (look, smell, taste, feel) plus your overall impression. Something that backs up your rating and helps others. Thanks!