Härtsfelder Schaller Export Hell
Härtsfelder Familienbrauerei Hald e.K.

Picked up in a gas station in southern Bavaria, the standard brown half liter bottle features a white label with red trim and a drawing of a medieval herald holding a megaphone. Purity law applies. Best before 7/25/07, I opened it on 4/14/07.

Pours a clear deep gold under a one finger off-white head that fades fairly quickly to thick foam and collar.without leaving much in the way of lace. Nice barley nose with a touch of spice. The mouth is fairly heavy, almost syrupy, and reasonably well-carbonated. Nicely balanced brew with strong sweet grainy malt in the opening, followed by a hefty (for the style) spicey hops bitter. There's a hint of metal in the bite, particularly late, but it is never unpleasant. The bitterness lingers long in the aftertaste. Very nice.