My Turn #019: Howard
Lakefront Brewery

 

The other Democratic cluster is visible along the upper Mississippi River, in western Illinois, southwestern Wisconsin, and eastern Iowa. These counties are the reason why Wisconsin and Iowa have leaned Democratic in the last several election cycles, despite the demographics of these states overall: mostly rural, mostly white. “Despite its demographic homogeneity in terms of whiteness, this region has somehow escaped the Republican strategy of mobilizing white voters,” says Knopp. But for that little cluster, the states of Wisconsin and Iowa would have gone for the Republican candidate. While they take up much less real estate than the rest of the state, in 2000 they were enough to turn the region for Al Gore.

 

 

 

 

Poured 12oz bottle into Pils glass. Pale yellow with a 2 finger white head. Very transparent with a light stream of bubbles. Small retention and limited lacing. Grain, grass, lighter malt with hints of leafy hops. Some cracker and bready malt and Hints of grass, grain, and leafy hops. Light, crisp and wet on the palate. Carbonation is right on for the style. Seems to be what was advertised on the package, an average take on Munich Helles Lager.

First review, really? I guess a Munich Helles really doesn't draw much attention.

Full disclosure, Lakefront has been one of my favorite breweries for almost as long as it's been open, so I have high hopes for this beer.

Best by Dec 28, 2016 clearly marked on the label. Poured into my Willi Becher glass.

L -- Clear, deep gold with a tall, but loose white head that settles quickly to a good cap.

S -- DMS and light cereal grains at first, light spiciness and citric esters with warmth.

T -- Same light graininess up front with some very mild malt sweetness present. A mild tartness from hops to the aftertaste, but not very Munich-like. Mild bitterness in the finish with that light sweetness and citrus lingering.

F -- Soft and smooth mouthfeel with a light-medium body.

O -- Rather disappointed in this attempt at a Helles. There's none of that good decoction-mashed Munich or Pilsner malt melanoidin breadiness. That said -- this *could* compare to some of the newer, thinner renditions of Helles we're seeing these days, but this is not a compliment.