Logical Journey
Modern Times Beer

Type: 16-oz. can
Reviewed as: Helles Lager
Glass: Clear 16-oz. Bruges beer glass
Price: $13.00 for a 4-pack
From: Modern Times Lomaland in Point Loma (San Diego), Calif.
Purchased: Aug. 8, 2020; Picked up Aug. 12, 2020
Consumed: Aug. 13, 2020
Misc.: Canned on Aug. 3, 2020

Picked up a 4-pack of this and a 4-pack of MT5! - Double Dry-Hopped for the first release of August for Modern Times. I generally like what Modern Times does with these type of beers and this was no exception. Email description for Logical Journey read, “If there’s a hole in your heart that you can’t seem to fill, it’s most-likely shaped like a delicious oak-smoked Helles lager. The good news is that we happen to have an insanely delicious one, brewed with extra pale pilsner malt, a touch of vienna malt, and a hefty portion of beech smoked barley malt complemented by a meticulously meted-out dose of Tettnang hops. Let the healing begin.”

Poured a medium yellow clear color with two fingers of off-white frothy head, which dissipated quickly. Could see a few bubble streams coming up from the bottom of the glass, faster from the bottom and a tad slower up the sides of the glass. Average watery lacing. Minimal retention. (Sight - 2.75)

Smelled smoke up front, reminding me of their Grodziskie that I recently enjoyed. Also oaky wood, toasted biscuit, wheat toast, black pepper, hints of honey, earthy pilsner malt, wet grass and herbal. More smoke and pilsner malt from the can, but not as good as out of the glass. (Smell - 4.25)

Taste was a little cleaner than the nose, probably more like the can. More of a balance between a Helles and the smoke. In order smoke, oaky wood, black pepper, toasted biscuit, burnt toast, wet grass, herbal, earthy pilsner malt and hints of honey. (Taste - 4.00)

Medium body. Oily-to-creamy texture. Average carbonation. Long, smoky finish. (Feel - 4.25)

This beer grew on me a lot. Outstanding overall with a nice blend of smoke and Helles lager qualities. Reminded me a bit like a medium version of Grodziskie (3.1 pct.). I wonder what the large one will be? (Taste - 4.00)

4.01 | 90 | A-

Had on tap. A sudsy white collar sits upon a clear yellow body. Smell leads predictably with the smoke, but accents the breadiness of the helles, with slight toasted honeycomb. Taste has more sweetness within the breadiness, almost vanilla fresh white bread, has some flowers and earth too. Feel is smoky, bready, surprisingly smooth and soft. Not on par with the german masters of smoke, but very good

On tap at the Belmont Fermentorium.

A clear light yellow with a dense white head with good retention and lacing this looks good. The nose is excellent. Soft and delicate smoke with a clean biscuit like Pils malt character, but then lurking behind is the delicate, soft bready note from the Vienna. A little melon,a little husk , a little vanilla. The smoke note reminds me a lot of the Schlenkerla. The palate opens with a blend of delicate floral honey, melon and a really deft smoke touch. In some ways, there's a light spice character present , a little pepper like. Light in body, softly carbonated, the finish is excellent with a blend of smoke, bread and honey. Excellent