Helles Lager
Vantage Point Brewing Company

 

this came out less clear than their american pale ale, not how it should be, caused a little confusion, this is both a shade or two too dark for the style, and it should be filtered and sparkling, and it is neither apparently, although its carbonation is fine and it does hold some head. more honey colored than yellow. the nose is right though, german malts, dry and earthy, maybe slightly fuller than is standard, but its not way off, and the yeast is obviously german, although somewhat subtle in this, lightly floral noble hops, pretty robustly grassy and bitter, all real fresh if not perfectly well refined. the flavor is good, the hops are bitter and they start early, german to me, and nice with the yeast. this is bready but dry, and the little extra from the grain is tasty, if a little out of place for the style. i want this to be light and refreshing and really excited on the palate, its clean but its got a bit of heft and doesnt quite hit as a helles for me, almost more in the pale bock range in some ways, but with the sturdy hopping. i am excited about these guys, even if i didnt love this beer, they have a wonderful space, the community already seems to be embracing them, the food looked good, and i can see them really doing well here. i suspect this will improve next time they brew it...

edit: sure enough it has improved, couple of years later they are canning now which is cool, sharp looking pint, cleaner beer in most respects, just more dialed and tidy now, and i have to improve a couple of scores for this, they have brightened it up and it just seems more professional now, without really losing its original identity as a pretty decent american take on a german classic, which it still is...