Sedlmayr Helles
Barley & Sword Brewing Company

just my second beer from these guys, and its a nice one, cool tip of the cap to the original advocate of the style at spaten, never knew that story until i read it on the can, thanks for schooling me up! its a nice beer, a slightly rustic approach maybe, i didnt find this super refined or anything, but its plenty drinkable, a little off from perfect clarity and just a shade deeper in color than the bright yellows that generally adorn this style, great head and head retention though, puffy and white, an inch high, and supported by constant carbonation. the nose is a touch malty, dusty in a proper european malt way, but not real fresh to me, somewhat understated, light herbal hops to this, a little baked richness, maybe a little more to this than in most, but well lagered and clean too. the flavor is quite a bit brighter and more expressive. the malt is crackery but not as pale, a little graham cracker thing without being sweet, deep minerality is quickening, but there is a real agricultural harvest timey vibe to the malt, still within reason for the style but not exactly conventional to me, still old worldy and good, just more full character. the hops have modest late bitterness but add some needed freshness earlier on, hay and straw character, drying, underlying notes of curing concrete and proofing dough to the lager yeast, the elements all come together really effectively, and as distinct as this one is it also seems kind of timeless, ancient even, historical and a little more unique than expected for something just called a helles. neat beer, best when ice cold as a little astringency comes out as it sits, but great carbonation, medium body, and frothy feeling pulling each sip through this thick head. well done, tons of personality, just a tad amateurish in an endearing way, not a critique...

Pint from draft at the small garage brewery in a brewers collective building with food vendors out in the beer garden. Good North Park vibes. Pretty tasty Helles with a nice honey malt flavor. Crisp and clean and easy drinking. Had it in cans too and it’s just as good. A solid Helles all things considered.