Hillas
Macedonian Thrace Brewery SA

HillasHillas
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From:
Macedonian Thrace Brewery SA
 
Greece
Style:
European Pale Lager
Ranked #105
ABV:
5%
Score:
76
Ranked #27,385
Avg:
3.23 | pDev: 15.17%
Reviews:
26
Ratings:
64
Status:
Active
Rated:
Oct 26, 2022
Added:
May 05, 2005
Wants:
  1
Gots:
  5
No description / notes.
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Ratings by axxe:
Photo of axxe
Rated by axxe from New York

3.25/5  rDev +0.6%

Jun 09, 2014
More User Ratings:
Photo of mfnmbvp
Reviewed by mfnmbvp from Illinois

3.3/5  rDev +2.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
11.2 fl oz. bottle, looks like best by May 2023. Probably my first beer from Greece, and definitely my first beer from this brewery. Expectations are average to below average based on the offering at hand here and the poor ratings on BeerAdvocate.

Poured to a pint glass adorned with little Victorian carriages.
Pours a super pale gold color from the bottle, certainly much lighter than the dark brown glass leads you to expect. A finger or two of frothy draft looking white head that has decent retention, leaving some good big fluffy rings of lacing.
Aroma is super corny, grainy, husky. Pure corn water aroma, though it isn't unpleasant, and I'm not usually one to hate on imported lagers in general, especially when they're not brewed in the "American" style.
Taste follows - quick notes of corn & grainy husk. Quick splash of wet cardboard on the finish, but it doesn't linger or detract too much from the beer as a whole.
Smooth, crisp, & clean overall, with a clean, grainy, papery finish.
Overall, I was modestly impressed by this one. I supposed I tend to lean in favor when they are European imported lagers I'm dealing with as opposed to imported American style ones.

Macedonian Thrace Brewery Hillas -----3.5/5
Oct 26, 2022
Photo of beergoot
Reviewed by beergoot from Colorado

3.62/5  rDev +12.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
A decent lager, nice appearance and aroma. The taste is nothing to write home about yet nothing to ignore either. I would consider this a fine journeyman effort. Fair malt flavor, not too sweet, crushable.
Mar 06, 2022
 
Rated: 3.43 by BalancingBrooms from California

Mar 29, 2020
 
Rated: 2.5 by BSEDS from Illinois

Sep 12, 2018
 
Rated: 3.25 by cryptichead from Illinois

Apr 28, 2018
Photo of WoodBrew
Reviewed by WoodBrew from Ohio

3.31/5  rDev +2.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
I tried this at Athenas in Chicago. It poured a clear golden with fizzy white head that is not leaving any lace. The scent had hints of grain. The taste was nicely balanced and easy to drink. The mouthfeel was lighter in body with good carbonation. Overall it was my fav from there.
Aug 25, 2017
 
Rated: 2.78 by Eman17 from Illinois

Apr 07, 2017
Photo of barnzy78
Reviewed by barnzy78 from Illinois

3.19/5  rDev -1.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25
12oz bottle, served at Greek Islands restaurant in Lombard, IL. I have never seen this beer anywhere at all.
A - pale golden body with nice clarity and a soft white head
S - pale malt, grassy hops, typical pale lager aroma
T - mild flavors of cereal grain, spicy and grassy hops, yeast, quite sweet overall flavor
M - lighter body, moderate carbonation, finishes clean and a bit dry
O - pretty typical [Euro] pale lager. About as exected and average for the style.
Sep 18, 2016
Photo of Victory_Sabre1973
Reviewed by Victory_Sabre1973 from Minnesota

3.16/5  rDev -2.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3
This beer pours a fairly clear golden color. The head is pretty frothy. Nice carbonation. Nose is somewhat skunky. Somewhat foul smelling. The taste is a whole lot better than the nose. It has a crisp feel to it. Slight sweet flavor.
Aug 22, 2016
 
Rated: 3.58 by SteveJeremy from Connecticut

Jun 12, 2016
Photo of BeerWithMike
Reviewed by BeerWithMike from Nebraska

3.4/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
Sampled about 3 weeks ago. Bought a single bottle to try. 330ml (11.2 ounce) bottle chilled down to 36 degrees F in my beer cooler and poured in to a "MYTHOS" pilsner glass.

Pours a straw-yellow in color with a fizzy head. Some lacing was seen when sipped. Aroma is of grassy grains for the most part. Tasty pretty much follows the nose. Lighter side of medium-bodied with good carbonation. Overall, it was drinkable though nothing super exciting.
Mar 22, 2016
 
Rated: 3.15 by cdalglei from Illinois

Dec 19, 2015
Photo of stevoj
Reviewed by stevoj from Idaho

2.85/5  rDev -11.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.75
Slightly better than average pale lager to accompany Greek food. Mostly cereal presence in the aroma and taste, pale golden in color with thin white head.
Dec 15, 2015
 
Rated: 2.75 by warpedrevolution from Illinois

Nov 24, 2015
 
Rated: 2.99 by JL_25 from Illinois

Nov 17, 2015
 
Rated: 3.1 by AlexM from California

Jul 06, 2015
 
Rated: 3.38 by bschmidt_37 from Illinois

Jun 28, 2015
Photo of TMoney2591
Reviewed by TMoney2591 from Illinois

2.82/5  rDev -12.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.75
Served in a Lagunitas mason jar.

I think I'm the only one in my vicinity that's not having this at a nearby Greek restaurant. Regardless, this stuff pours a clear straw topped by a finger of lightly off-white foam. The nose comprises toasted cereal grains and light moss and tobacco notes. The taste sweetens the grains, dumps the greens (thankfully), and drops in a bit of hard water. The body is a rather light medium, with a light moderate carbonation and a very fluid feel. Overall, this is a thoroughly underwhelming little beer, one that refuses to even try to distinguish itself from the usual "Euro pale lager" fare.
Apr 28, 2015
 
Rated: 3.25 by little_star from Illinois

Jan 18, 2015
Hillas from Macedonian Thrace Brewery SA
Beer rating: 76 out of 100 with 64 ratings