Rugged North
Copper State Brewing Company

flavorful lager, not sure it quite fits as a classic helles, more malty than that, less outwardly german in terms of grain and yeast, and while balanced and drinkable, its a little fuller and more assertive than a lot of these, which was also true of their kolsch. this is lighter bodied than that but not by much, and leans as much pale brassy as it does bright yellow, average white head from the tap with pretty good clarity. the aroma is husky a little bit, grain hulls and dust, a baked warmth to it, european pils malt, maybe a sprinkle of vienna or something as there is some ambient sweetness, bready lager yeast, noble type hops in light proportion, comes together well. the flavor is the same as the nose, tight at first when its cold but then later its more dynamic, some early sweetness turns earthy, definitely more malty tasting than most things called helles, and the german yeast character seems quite subtle as these go. i like the hops on the back end, just enough for this to be crisp while not alienating the yellow beer crowd. good carbonation too, and all the intangibles are here. not my favorite recipe for this style, but its objectively well made beer.

 

 

Got in a trade with GreenBayBA. 12 ounce can into lager glass, no can dating. Pours deep golden amber color with a 1-2 finger fairly dense and fluffy white head with great retention, that reduces to a small cap that lingers. Nice spotty foamy lacing clings on the glass, with a fair amount of streaming carbonation. Aromas of cracker, white bread dough, lightly toasted biscuit, light nuttiness/pepper, and herbal/grassy earthiness. Nice aromas with bready malts and light earthy hops notes; with good strength. Noticeable buttery diacetyl in aromas and flavors, but not too overwhelming. Bit of fruity/yeasty aromas as well. Taste of cracker, white bread dough, lightly toasted biscuit, light nuttiness/pepper, and herbal/grassy earthiness. Light herbal, grassy, spicy bitterness on the finish. Lingering notes of cracker, white bread dough, lightly toasted biscuit, nuttiness, pepper, and herbal/grassy earthiness on the finish for a while. Nice robustness of bready malts and light earthy hop flavors; with a nice malt/bitterness balance, and no cloying/astringent flavors after the finish. Lightly increasing dryness from lingering bitterness. Fairly clean on lager flavors, not too fruity/yeasty. Medium carbonation and medium-plus body; with smooth, creamy/silky/bready/grainy, and lightly sticky mouthfeel that is good. Silky notes from diacetyl. Zero warming alcohol as expected of 5%. Overall this is a pretty good Helles. All around good robustness of bready malts and light earthy hop flavors; smooth and pretty refreshing to drink with the mildly bitter/drying finish. The diacetyl was quite a bad mark on this, and it carried over to the mouthfeel. I enjoyed it otherwise, and a good attempt at the style. Nicely rich pils/munich malts with balancing earthy hops against sweetness. They just need clean up their process, and this would be a much better beer.