Helles
Prost Brewing Co. - Denver

I found this Helles to be a pretty good examples of the style and quite delicious.

Excellent. Not many critiques. Still has a mass-produced essence. Needs a little more oompf from the grain bill. Something very subtle is missing protein/waterwise. Lacking terroir. Nice brown sugar notes at the mid to rear palate, finishing dry and bready.

Satisfying and tasty.

 

 

light, snappy, well refined, with quite a lot of grain character coming through, like it has to be decocted, pils malt yeah, but like a lot more of its true whole grain essence than is common in these, especially among their american peers, really dialed in beer, i feel like these guys have taken a recent step forward in both quality and authenticity after kind of falling off the map for a minute, they are definitely back in a big way. its actually not immaculately clear, but what is left behind helps make it so flavorful i reckon. the lager yeast and the ferment in general are old worldy and patient and awesome, this is crisp and crushable for having as much pale earthy malt presence as it does, and the high carbonation makes it refreshing too, an absolute ripper one could easily do a whole boot of. some creaminess to the feel, like some protein in here or something, liquid bready. nice mineral profile and water chemistry overall, again entirely in service of the grain. some balancing noble hops on the back end maybe slightly more bitter than most but well within line for the style. really professionally crafted and good, loved it on tap but i am glad its in cans now too, ill buy some of this when i see it. killer, especially for an american brewery.

edit: in just a few short months this seems improved even further, fully clear now, bright yellow and radiant from the tap, pristine looking and frothy headed with great retention. its a touch sweeter than i recall from this fall, but its showcasing the grain in a cool way, and i like the body this has, so clean the whole way, familiar lager yeast, wonderful balance, proportionality, and drinkability. increasing a couple of scores here, these guys are really making strides! if you havent had this in awhile, go try it again! definitely not the same beer as it used to be, and i mean that in a good way!

 

 

 

Had on tap. Cloudy yellow pour with a finger of eggshell white foam, thin bands of lacing. Aromas of german yeast with lemon and grassy hops create a nice pale impression in both smell and taste. Honey and malt support in the taste, where in the smell I get more cracker. Feel is paler than most helles, but body leans yeastier for style, and thins out by the finish though moderately crisp. Still a nice helles all around

 

 

 

 

Poured from 12 oz bottle into pint glass
A thin white head dissipates quickly. Color is slightly hazy golden with moderate streaming carbonation. Malty aroma of grain & yeast. Mouthfeel between light and medium leaves a slightly sticky residue and a mostly dry finish. Flavors biscuit, bread crust, with some lemony/grassy hops. Very good helles.

Crystal clear, medium gold body; nice carbonation; one-finger thick head. Gentle cereal grain aroma. Light malt flavors well-balanced with a delicate hop bitterness. Medium-heavy in body; crisp with a mostly dry finish.

This beer shines, delivering a fine example of a classic German lager style. When you're looking for more traditional stylings in a lager, something easy to drink yet still delivering some taste, this is a beer to consider.

 

 

 

S: bready, biscuit smell spiced with hops and revealing a clean fermentation character.

L: pours brilliant straw gold as rapidly rising streams of bubbles refresh a 1" white form cap with moderate to poor retention.

T: lightly sweet creamy, malty palate. Malt flavors are medium high, hop bitterness is medium, spicy hop flavors are medium low.

F: This clean and crisp beer finishes dry with a medium body and medium low carbonation