Aecht Schlenkerla Helles Lagerbier
Schlenkerla (Heller-Bräu Trum)

16.9 oz. bottle poured into pilsener

L: clear yellow, slight haziness to it but just enough to keep it from being "crystal clear" ... it's otherwise quite clear and easy to see through; color is light with only a hint of gold to it; pushes up small one-finger head of white foam that sticks only a little; keeps thin but noticeable collar of white foam and thin skin; no lacing (and the little bit that wanted to stick is gone)

S: bacon, smoked ham, bready malt sweetness underneath; grain, sour grain

T: earthy and smokey at first, the earthy note is almost off-putting, but then the palate adjusts and it becomes a mix of light malt flavors (bread, biscuits, lightly sweet) and some smoked deer sausage or lightly smoked wood ... like eating the air off a good barbecue pit

F: very ale-like to start off with, soft, medium weight with a slight slickness; as the palate adjusts, it gets a bit crisper, but if I had to blindly guess "ale" or "lager" based off the mouthfeel, I might guess ale; overall pleasant and easy to handle ... there's more carbonation to it than it first seems

O: very different from most of the smoked beers I've tried and almost awkward as it tries to mix notes that don't seem to want to play together; the light malt aroma and flavor of a good helles is trying hard to shine, and those notes don't marry perfectly with the smoked aromas and flavors -- like it's a smoked dessert, a cheesecake put on the BBQ pit or smoked ice cream; still, the awkwardness is not unpleasant ... nothing here is offensive or unsavory ... in fact, as it warms a little and I get into the glass, the good bit of smoked flavor is really taking on a baconlike quality that is quite tasty, and with a relatively light body and 4.3% ABV, I'm able to take a decent-sized gulp and enjoy it without experiencing alcohol burn; it's interesting and tasty in the end and I wouldn't mind trying it more often -- I could see this being a fantastic summer-weather brew, and if nothing else, it's a cool twist by our leaders in the smoked beer world

 

 

500 ml bottle - best before 07/2026 - have had the unfiltered version previously.
Pours a clear pale straw colour with two plus fingers of puffy white head.
Aroma is fairly classic German Helles - bready malt, a touch floral, a touch of honey and some soft smokiness that increases as warms.
Bready sweet but definitely slightly smoky on the palate, some floral notes with a moderate grassy herbal bitterness at the back.
Light mouthfeel without being thin - nice carbonation with a crisp, clean finish.
Not my favourite Schlenkerla offering but still a quality lager that I would have again anytime, especially at 4.3% ABV.

 

Amazing. Such a departure from this brewery's darker, smokier offerings, and yet very unique among other "helles" lager beers. Huge malt flavours, refreshingly crisp hops, smooth mouthfeel. We're lucky to get such a delicious German import way out here in Alberta.

Super subtle smoked element adds a marvelous heartiness to a somewhat grainy/rustic mouthfeel.. full on sensory explosion for such a low abv.

 

RB transfer

Golden color. Big, white head. Bread, herbs, malt, and a gentle touch of smoke in the aroma. Malt and bread dominate in taste. Crisp and refreshing.

 

Clear standard lager gold, with a very large and foamy almost-white head, kept up by a very carbonated body. Mild malt on the nose, not overly bready, a hint of hops - definite hint of dish soap. Full-bodied on the tongue, very biscuity, not overly sweet - ends very clean, with a smoky note reminiscent of an English ale. Refreshing - goes down easy.

This Brewery never fails. My first, “non-rauchbier” offering from them(albeit it’s still Smokey). I drank the 16.9oz classic, medieval “font” bottle, and with some vermicelli/carnitas/peppers for lunch. If you think you’re not gonna get a “smokey” experience with this breweries offerings? You’d be wrong. It’s a silky smooth, light-bodied, FULL-flavoured German lager…but it’s got that “smoke”. And if you like it? You’re good. If not? Well, off to another brewery(for you). Malty, smooth, light-bodied, medium carbonated… good!

Copenhagen 18/4 2021. 50 cl bottle from Irma, Smedetoften, Kbh. NV. Light blue version of Schlenkerla's usual gothic design which looks like something Martin Luther would enjoy nailing to a church-door.

Pours clear yellow with a small white head. Settles as thin but consistent layer of foam covering the surface of the beer. No lacing.

Aroma is medium intense with a sweet malty and bready odor with light smoky and metallic notes. Sweet pale malts, bread, straw and a shadow of smokiness. Sour grains.

Medium strong carbonation. Thin, oily, lively and tingling texture.

Flavor is moderately intense with a medium strong sweetness followed by a moderate bitterness. Aftertaste is sweetish with a light salty tang. A bit thin. Finish is watery and slightly salty.

Nice with the light but elusive smoky touch. Otherwise forgettable.

 

I did not know the ABV of this until I was almost finished. Pour, nose, and body all told me this was somewhere between 5.5 to 6%, but no sir, this beautiful helles is only 4.3%. Robust flavors of grains, grassy herb, floral hops, and hints of smoke comprise the experience. A key to a good lager IMO is limiting sweetness, and this does that with ease. It is truly outstanding for its alcohol content and is a great example of why the Germans are known for brewing excellence and tradition.

 

Re-reviewing this beer as I last reviewed it in 2011.

16oz can (no dates or codes) into an English pint. Pours a crystal clear pale golden color with a loose, frothy, clean white head.

Aroma is floral and fruity, bready. Clean sweet pale malt and Old World hops.

Taste is likewise clean and crisp—floral hops, delicately subtle smoky pale malt.

Mouthfeel is balanced and light, drinkable.

Overall a very tasty, well made helles lager. The smoke is very subtle but gives this beer a unique Schlenkerla twist.
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Previous review (8/25/2011) below for posterity:

4/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
500mL bottle (no dates or codes, but purchased recently at a good beer store) poured into a weizen glass. Makes the most beautiful crackling sound as I pour - what is this, Rice Krispies? Standard crystal clear golden lager color with a wonderful 1-finger white head and effervescent carbonation typical of German beers. Bubbles start out microscopic at the bottom of the glass and grow larger as they rise. Head subsides to a thin film of bubbles, sustained by the continuous carbonation from below.

Aroma is that crisp, dry lager smell - so different from the ales I've been drinking lately, with none of the fruit notes. Actually just a very faint beechwood smoke aroma, I expected more smoke. But then this isn't a rauchbier.

Taste is dry, fruity, with just a hint of smoke. Not overwhelming at all. Really light, drinkable. The smokiness hits on the back end, just a little twist that sets this apart from other pale lagers.

I like this beer. Like everything I've had from Brauerei Heller Bamberg, it's well-crafted and solid. Nothing exciting or flashy here, but if you want a good, crisp beer look no further.

 

Crisp, clean, very tasty.