Helles
Schiller Bräu

I had this beer in a half-liter glass mug at the brewery in Munich.

Appearance: pale golden hue with a bit of haze and a finger of frothy ivory foam atop.

Smell: sweetish malt with a bit of fruitiness and kind of a yeasty spiciness. It’s not quite what I expected - it’s not as “clean” as I think of a helles as being. But I’m here drinking it in Munich in the room where it is brewed, so … maybe I need to recalibrate my expectation for what a helles should be?

Taste: it’s got a tasty malt character, but that kinda yeasty spiciness is combined with some cidery character that just doesn’t seem right, from the examples of the style that I have had. Maybe I’ll reevaluate this beer after a few days in Munich, when I have more local context.

Mouthfeel: medium body with a good, well integrated carbonation and a lovely, smooth creaminess.

Overall: I wouldn’t say this is my favorite helles, but maybe I’m not giving it enough credit for authenticity. I’ll think about it more in the course of this trip.

 

Currently drinking a half liter at their brewpub across the street from my hotel. More golden amber than most Helles and also richer with a sweeter, fuller flavor. Makes sense since this is a craft brewery by German standards. I’d say this is more like a Helles in the US, not so traditional.