Vollbier Hell
Klosterbrauerei Andechs
Beer Geek Stats
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- From:
- Klosterbrauerei Andechs
- Germany
- Style:
- Lager - Helles
Ranked #22 - ABV:
- 4.8%
- Score:
- 90
Ranked #10,081 - Avg:
- 4.02 | pDev: 10.95%
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- Tuesday at 01:24 AM
- Added:
- Feb 20, 2003
- Wants:
- 27
- Gots:
- 45
SCORE
90
Outstanding
90
Outstanding
Notes:
Its head is firm and fine pored. Its aroma is pure and fresh from the cellar, with soft malty accents imbued with floral hoppiness.
Its light and soft body leaves a pleasant, tangy taste in the mouth. The mild sweetness marries well with the velvety bitterness of the hops. It concludes on a rounded, harmonious note.
Andechser Vollbier Hell is therefore a classical Bavarian Vollbier.
Its light and soft body leaves a pleasant, tangy taste in the mouth. The mild sweetness marries well with the velvety bitterness of the hops. It concludes on a rounded, harmonious note.
Andechser Vollbier Hell is therefore a classical Bavarian Vollbier.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
4.22/5 rDev +5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
by LesDewitt4beer from Minnesota
19.9oz bottle into a tall lager glass.
L: Pours chill hazed clear light yellow w/large carbonation bubbles, thin white head quickly fades, no lacing.
S: Grains, crackery biscuit, lightly grassy, pastry dough.
T: Subtly sweet caramel malts, honey, light barnyard, horse blanket, handsomely hopped, grass, grains, gently rich & sharp with a fast finish. Moderately bitter and a bit foxy.
F: Crisp and somewhat airy lighter bodied mouthfeel with a fast drying finish.
O: Incredible tasting overall and masterfully brewed. A subtly rich & light bodied Hell with light honey, malty and radiant hop action throughout. It is very easy drinking, refreshing and is outstanding in it's style.
Tuesday at 01:24 AM
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
by LesDewitt4beer from Minnesota
19.9oz bottle into a tall lager glass.
L: Pours chill hazed clear light yellow w/large carbonation bubbles, thin white head quickly fades, no lacing.
S: Grains, crackery biscuit, lightly grassy, pastry dough.
T: Subtly sweet caramel malts, honey, light barnyard, horse blanket, handsomely hopped, grass, grains, gently rich & sharp with a fast finish. Moderately bitter and a bit foxy.
F: Crisp and somewhat airy lighter bodied mouthfeel with a fast drying finish.
O: Incredible tasting overall and masterfully brewed. A subtly rich & light bodied Hell with light honey, malty and radiant hop action throughout. It is very easy drinking, refreshing and is outstanding in it's style.
Tuesday at 01:24 AM
4.5/5 rDev +11.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.75
by defunksta from North Dakota
Appearance: Pours a completely clear light golden color with a moderate white head that fades quickly. SRM of 6. (4.00)
Aroma: Mild aromas of pale bread malts, slightly toasted with some honey.
Flavor: Moderate flavors of pale bread malts, toasted German bread with an underlying earthiness and grassiness. A smooth honey finish that finishes relatively dry.
Feel: Medium-bodied. Strong carbonation. The carbonation helps balance the smooth honey sweetness off the palate.
Compared to Paulaner Original Munich Lager (Helles) 4/7/22: Pours identical appearance and similar aromas. More carbonation, and slightly more earthy honey. Slightly less bread malt and a smaller body?, but quite similar overall.
Compared to Weihanstephaner Helles 4/8/22: Pours a similar appearance, slightly larger head. Similar aromas. Slightly more bread malt and honey. Less earthy and dry grains.
Compared to Utepils Helles 5/8/22: Pours a similar color. Slightly stronger aromas. More toasty and earthy bread notes.
Overall: This was a really good German Helles lager. It has a fantastic German malt flavors with a honey-like flavor on the finish without being too sweet. Dynamic all around and extremely drinkable. Probably one of the best (Rating: 4.50)
Apr 07, 2022
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.75
by defunksta from North Dakota
Appearance: Pours a completely clear light golden color with a moderate white head that fades quickly. SRM of 6. (4.00)
Aroma: Mild aromas of pale bread malts, slightly toasted with some honey.
Flavor: Moderate flavors of pale bread malts, toasted German bread with an underlying earthiness and grassiness. A smooth honey finish that finishes relatively dry.
Feel: Medium-bodied. Strong carbonation. The carbonation helps balance the smooth honey sweetness off the palate.
Compared to Paulaner Original Munich Lager (Helles) 4/7/22: Pours identical appearance and similar aromas. More carbonation, and slightly more earthy honey. Slightly less bread malt and a smaller body?, but quite similar overall.
Compared to Weihanstephaner Helles 4/8/22: Pours a similar appearance, slightly larger head. Similar aromas. Slightly more bread malt and honey. Less earthy and dry grains.
Compared to Utepils Helles 5/8/22: Pours a similar color. Slightly stronger aromas. More toasty and earthy bread notes.
Overall: This was a really good German Helles lager. It has a fantastic German malt flavors with a honey-like flavor on the finish without being too sweet. Dynamic all around and extremely drinkable. Probably one of the best (Rating: 4.50)
Apr 07, 2022
4.32/5 rDev +7.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
by BJB13 from Maryland
500 ml bottle poured into a dimpled mug.
L: Clear golden yellow, two fingers of stark white thick foam with good retention.
S: Doughy and lightly toasted malt, honey, spicy hops.
T: Nice malty bread flavor with a minor sweetness giving way to a more dry finish, also honey, spicy and floral hops to balance.
F: Medium weight, soft feel, moderate carbonation that is enough for a crisp finish.
O: A great mug of beer, good example of why I like this style.
Mar 24, 2022
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
by BJB13 from Maryland
500 ml bottle poured into a dimpled mug.
L: Clear golden yellow, two fingers of stark white thick foam with good retention.
S: Doughy and lightly toasted malt, honey, spicy hops.
T: Nice malty bread flavor with a minor sweetness giving way to a more dry finish, also honey, spicy and floral hops to balance.
F: Medium weight, soft feel, moderate carbonation that is enough for a crisp finish.
O: A great mug of beer, good example of why I like this style.
Mar 24, 2022
4.57 by rangerred from Tennessee on Mar 09, 2022
4.15/5 rDev +3.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
by Sheppard from Massachusetts
Not sure if this is different from the Vollbier Hell which is the same abv since it might be a designation requirement in certain countries with Vollbier meaning "full [strength] beer." Regardless, my bottle does not say "vollbier" so I am reviewing under this entry.
This Hell pours crystal clear golden of medium to light color - not as pale as a Pilsner but also not deep. Some light white head as well. White grape on the nose. It's got some of that medium baked cracker character to go with some grapiness. Some light bitterness and a mineral watery carb round out a crisp mouthfeel. There's a subtle lingering of demerara on the finish. A really nice Hell.
Feb 04, 2022
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
by Sheppard from Massachusetts
Not sure if this is different from the Vollbier Hell which is the same abv since it might be a designation requirement in certain countries with Vollbier meaning "full [strength] beer." Regardless, my bottle does not say "vollbier" so I am reviewing under this entry.
This Hell pours crystal clear golden of medium to light color - not as pale as a Pilsner but also not deep. Some light white head as well. White grape on the nose. It's got some of that medium baked cracker character to go with some grapiness. Some light bitterness and a mineral watery carb round out a crisp mouthfeel. There's a subtle lingering of demerara on the finish. A really nice Hell.
Feb 04, 2022
4.25 by kjkinsey from Texas on Jan 21, 2022
3.75/5 rDev -6.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
by moodenba from New York
Half liter of Anchechs Hell purchased Jan. 2022, opened at 45F and poured into a glass. Bottle date code L1031. Beer may have been old; I don't have the key to the date code. My ratings are designed to not move the needle of the average, and not a finely calibrated evaluation. The beer does have a modest malty body with just enough bitter aftertaste. I'd like to find this guaranteed fresh. Note: 1031 could be package date 103d day (1st week of April) in 2021. 9 months old.
Jan 21, 2022
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
by moodenba from New York
Half liter of Anchechs Hell purchased Jan. 2022, opened at 45F and poured into a glass. Bottle date code L1031. Beer may have been old; I don't have the key to the date code. My ratings are designed to not move the needle of the average, and not a finely calibrated evaluation. The beer does have a modest malty body with just enough bitter aftertaste. I'd like to find this guaranteed fresh. Note: 1031 could be package date 103d day (1st week of April) in 2021. 9 months old.
Jan 21, 2022
4.1/5 rDev +2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
by MonDak_Joe1953 from Minnesota
500ml bottle. Label is marked 'L0531' for batch.
Clear, straw colored body. Multi finger white head upon pouring, which recedes to a creamy looking cap. Leaves some trails of lacing.
Aroma is toasted malts that lend itself to bready expression, plus honey, plus floral and spicy hops.
Taste is soft, with the malts producing a bready flavor, with just the right amount of sweetness. The hops provide the balance of spice and florals. There is a touch of bitterness towards the end, but the aftertaste goes back to the bready malts.
Mouth feel is medium, but very soft. Very good carbonation.
So easy to drink, and provides a balanced and very flavorful profile of malts and hops. Bread in a bottle. Crisp finish as an added bonus.
Oct 19, 2021
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
by MonDak_Joe1953 from Minnesota
500ml bottle. Label is marked 'L0531' for batch.
Clear, straw colored body. Multi finger white head upon pouring, which recedes to a creamy looking cap. Leaves some trails of lacing.
Aroma is toasted malts that lend itself to bready expression, plus honey, plus floral and spicy hops.
Taste is soft, with the malts producing a bready flavor, with just the right amount of sweetness. The hops provide the balance of spice and florals. There is a touch of bitterness towards the end, but the aftertaste goes back to the bready malts.
Mouth feel is medium, but very soft. Very good carbonation.
So easy to drink, and provides a balanced and very flavorful profile of malts and hops. Bread in a bottle. Crisp finish as an added bonus.
Oct 19, 2021
4.21 by TheEpeeist from Pennsylvania on Sep 13, 2021
4.4/5 rDev +9.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
by Treyliff from West Virginia
500ml bottle poured into a pint
A- pours a lear straw color with a one-finger creamy white head that has great retention after the pour
S- smells of roasted barley, honey, crackers, toasted bread crust, slightly doughy, floral and grassy hops
T- clean and crisp up front with notes of crackers and toasted malt. Mid-palate brings out a light honey-like sweetness, as well as a white grape note. The finish brings out underlying floral and grassy hop notes. Lingers of toasted barley and floral hops
O- full flavored yet extremely balanced and drinkable. One of the best helles lagers that I've had
M- light body with moderate carbonation leads to a foamy mouthfeel that continues into a crisp, dry finish, high drinkability
Jul 31, 2021
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
by Treyliff from West Virginia
500ml bottle poured into a pint
A- pours a lear straw color with a one-finger creamy white head that has great retention after the pour
S- smells of roasted barley, honey, crackers, toasted bread crust, slightly doughy, floral and grassy hops
T- clean and crisp up front with notes of crackers and toasted malt. Mid-palate brings out a light honey-like sweetness, as well as a white grape note. The finish brings out underlying floral and grassy hop notes. Lingers of toasted barley and floral hops
O- full flavored yet extremely balanced and drinkable. One of the best helles lagers that I've had
M- light body with moderate carbonation leads to a foamy mouthfeel that continues into a crisp, dry finish, high drinkability
Jul 31, 2021
4.67 by chris826 from Mississippi on Jul 19, 2021
3.88 by Nyarko-San from Pennsylvania on Jul 08, 2021
4.6/5 rDev +14.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
by OSOLO
From the natural grocery store in North Adams, MA. Excellent helles, better than most/all I've had before, including Weihenstephan Helles. Perhaps a more hoppy/citrusy and less sweet than others but still distinctively a helles and not a pilsner. Another review mentions its "minerally" quality and I agree.
Jun 22, 2021
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
by OSOLO
From the natural grocery store in North Adams, MA. Excellent helles, better than most/all I've had before, including Weihenstephan Helles. Perhaps a more hoppy/citrusy and less sweet than others but still distinctively a helles and not a pilsner. Another review mentions its "minerally" quality and I agree.
Jun 22, 2021
4.5/5 rDev +11.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
by DrBeergood from Ohio
L: Hazy straw yellow. Moderate carbonation. Glossy surface.
S: Barley hops and yeast. The barley is perhaps a blend of varieties? The hops are fresh, grassy, sharp, and pungent. The yeast takes the sweetness and makes it tangy.
T: A subtle woody flavor indicative of Munich Lager. The barley must have been lightly roasted or kilned. The hops are bitter and balanced nicely with the grains. The brewery was established in 1455, predating the reinheitsgebot, so I think the yeast is more special than they let on.
F: Finishes dry with mildly residual fresh hops.
O: A fine brew that will stay on my shelves. Upon closer inspection the brewery is in a monastery (Klosterbrauerei) in the town of Andechs, about 20 miles out from München (Munich). It's a sleeper--If you have the opportunity to get a 20x500mL case, do so immediately, it will run you about $80 but it's totally worth it.
Jun 01, 2021
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
by DrBeergood from Ohio
L: Hazy straw yellow. Moderate carbonation. Glossy surface.
S: Barley hops and yeast. The barley is perhaps a blend of varieties? The hops are fresh, grassy, sharp, and pungent. The yeast takes the sweetness and makes it tangy.
T: A subtle woody flavor indicative of Munich Lager. The barley must have been lightly roasted or kilned. The hops are bitter and balanced nicely with the grains. The brewery was established in 1455, predating the reinheitsgebot, so I think the yeast is more special than they let on.
F: Finishes dry with mildly residual fresh hops.
O: A fine brew that will stay on my shelves. Upon closer inspection the brewery is in a monastery (Klosterbrauerei) in the town of Andechs, about 20 miles out from München (Munich). It's a sleeper--If you have the opportunity to get a 20x500mL case, do so immediately, it will run you about $80 but it's totally worth it.
Jun 01, 2021
4.11/5 rDev +2.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
by tigg924 from Massachusetts
Pours clear, straw yellow in color with one inch head. Taste is grass, cereal and grain. Light bodied, high carbonation, slightly bitter. A good clean German lager. Enjoyable and easy to drink.
May 23, 2021
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
by tigg924 from Massachusetts
Pours clear, straw yellow in color with one inch head. Taste is grass, cereal and grain. Light bodied, high carbonation, slightly bitter. A good clean German lager. Enjoyable and easy to drink.
May 23, 2021
4 by avisong from Virginia on May 01, 2021
4.38/5 rDev +9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
by Stevedore from Oregon
Hits the right notes for the style. Mildly creamy bread and a touch of pale malt. Just the slightest touch of spicy yeast esters. Medium lighter bodied, almost creamy and soft feel to it. A touch on the sweeter side although that is likely the import bit
Apr 24, 2021
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
by Stevedore from Oregon
Hits the right notes for the style. Mildly creamy bread and a touch of pale malt. Just the slightest touch of spicy yeast esters. Medium lighter bodied, almost creamy and soft feel to it. A touch on the sweeter side although that is likely the import bit
Apr 24, 2021
3.06/5 rDev -23.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.75
by JonnoWillsteed from England
#1694 Blind-tasted except for the beer's name and brewery/country, zero reviews below read (yet!)...
I started easing the cap off and the bottle was fizzing and wheezing immediately, CO2 rising, 2Cm of foam forming in the neck of the bottle and I hadn't even 20% prised off the cap - unusual! This bottle was rested for over 2 weeks in a cold room then fridge. Maybe take opening it slooowly too, just in case.
L- Light golden, clear, pours with 3mm white head. Lively pour though it calmed after a bit. Good rising CO2 as well.
S- Mild, just some bready grains.
T- Reminiscent of the smell, mild, bready grains, some meatier malts with a hint of a sweetr note and then a mild brush of hops into the finish.
F- A bit richer than a 'lager'. Good CO2. Inoffensive; in both a good and bad sense.
O- I'm reeeally surprised. Helles is one of my favourite (if occasional) styles. A couple of German Helles I've had are knock-out, AugustinerBrau being one of them. Their aligned stars can be found within their subtlety and if they do align they're a real wow. Perhaps here they simply aren't aligned, as it's not doing much at all for me. In basic terms it's like a character-less 'lager' with some added malty richness and good CO2. There is nothing different, characterful, nor a recognisable ID to it; none of what leads me to buy a a beer again. Surprisingly underwhelming.
Review/scoring all done, now the reveal, I get to read the bottle lables to see what I missed! Unusual, ingredients include 'Hops, hop extract', and the latter is really unexpected in a historic ('Since 1485' per it's lable) German beer. Hard to believe that's permitted under Germany's 'beer purity law'. Hmm Kloster Andechs, I'll be wary of them in future. ps. I lived for 3 years in Germany and hoovered up local beers; that is the context/experience for the impressions in my review here.
500ml bottle BB: 23/08/2021 £3.35 Bought from BeerMerchants, Kent/UK as part of a large pick-your own consignment to London.
Mar 18, 2021
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.75
by JonnoWillsteed from England
#1694 Blind-tasted except for the beer's name and brewery/country, zero reviews below read (yet!)...
I started easing the cap off and the bottle was fizzing and wheezing immediately, CO2 rising, 2Cm of foam forming in the neck of the bottle and I hadn't even 20% prised off the cap - unusual! This bottle was rested for over 2 weeks in a cold room then fridge. Maybe take opening it slooowly too, just in case.
L- Light golden, clear, pours with 3mm white head. Lively pour though it calmed after a bit. Good rising CO2 as well.
S- Mild, just some bready grains.
T- Reminiscent of the smell, mild, bready grains, some meatier malts with a hint of a sweetr note and then a mild brush of hops into the finish.
F- A bit richer than a 'lager'. Good CO2. Inoffensive; in both a good and bad sense.
O- I'm reeeally surprised. Helles is one of my favourite (if occasional) styles. A couple of German Helles I've had are knock-out, AugustinerBrau being one of them. Their aligned stars can be found within their subtlety and if they do align they're a real wow. Perhaps here they simply aren't aligned, as it's not doing much at all for me. In basic terms it's like a character-less 'lager' with some added malty richness and good CO2. There is nothing different, characterful, nor a recognisable ID to it; none of what leads me to buy a a beer again. Surprisingly underwhelming.
Review/scoring all done, now the reveal, I get to read the bottle lables to see what I missed! Unusual, ingredients include 'Hops, hop extract', and the latter is really unexpected in a historic ('Since 1485' per it's lable) German beer. Hard to believe that's permitted under Germany's 'beer purity law'. Hmm Kloster Andechs, I'll be wary of them in future. ps. I lived for 3 years in Germany and hoovered up local beers; that is the context/experience for the impressions in my review here.
500ml bottle BB: 23/08/2021 £3.35 Bought from BeerMerchants, Kent/UK as part of a large pick-your own consignment to London.
Mar 18, 2021
4.33/5 rDev +7.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
by NeroFiddled from Pennsylvania
Klosterbrauerei Andechs "Vollbier Hell"
,25L/€2,50 vom fass @ Andechser Am Dom, München, DE
Notes: Crystal clear straw gold body beneath a bright white head. Very good head retention and lacing. Aroma of grainy sweet malt and lightly herbal hops. The flavor follows with the same maltiness and some additional citrusy notes. It's moderate bitterness balances it perfectly. In the mouth it's medium bodied and crisp-then-smooth. It's remarkably well balanced and quaffable with a great malt component that keeps it interesting and satiating.
Feb 17, 2021
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
by NeroFiddled from Pennsylvania
Klosterbrauerei Andechs "Vollbier Hell"
,25L/€2,50 vom fass @ Andechser Am Dom, München, DE
Notes: Crystal clear straw gold body beneath a bright white head. Very good head retention and lacing. Aroma of grainy sweet malt and lightly herbal hops. The flavor follows with the same maltiness and some additional citrusy notes. It's moderate bitterness balances it perfectly. In the mouth it's medium bodied and crisp-then-smooth. It's remarkably well balanced and quaffable with a great malt component that keeps it interesting and satiating.
Feb 17, 2021
4.17/5 rDev +3.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
by jmdrpi from Pennsylvania
500ml capped bottle. Unclear date code of "L1890"
Crystal clear straw yellow in color, bone white head. Very clean, nice mildy bready malt. Well balanced, not too sweet. A little pleasant grassy hop aroma. Short finish.
Feb 14, 2021
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
by jmdrpi from Pennsylvania
500ml capped bottle. Unclear date code of "L1890"
Crystal clear straw yellow in color, bone white head. Very clean, nice mildy bready malt. Well balanced, not too sweet. A little pleasant grassy hop aroma. Short finish.
Feb 14, 2021
4.29/5 rDev +6.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
by jzeilinger from Pennsylvania
A - Medium yellow gold color with moderate and steady carbonation leaving a dense bright white layer of foam resting on top.
S - Mildly sweet malt grain with light citrus and floral.
T - Lightly sweet malt grain throughout with just enough delicate citrus and floral to balance out the sweetness.
M - Big firm medium body with prickly carbonation that gives way to a soft, clean finish.
O - This beer is perfectly balanced and expertly done. Recommended for the style.
Feb 05, 2021
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
by jzeilinger from Pennsylvania
A - Medium yellow gold color with moderate and steady carbonation leaving a dense bright white layer of foam resting on top.
S - Mildly sweet malt grain with light citrus and floral.
T - Lightly sweet malt grain throughout with just enough delicate citrus and floral to balance out the sweetness.
M - Big firm medium body with prickly carbonation that gives way to a soft, clean finish.
O - This beer is perfectly balanced and expertly done. Recommended for the style.
Feb 05, 2021
3.35 by stephenlee93 from England on Jan 30, 2021
3.91/5 rDev -2.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
by GarrettB from Colorado
July 30th, 2016 Here's a beer I wish I could have enjoyed while lounging on a hay bale somewhere in the Belgian countryside. That's partially because it both looks the part, and smells a little like hay, with a wafting aroma of bread and wet dog. That alone paints a beautiful rural picture, but there's also some richness in the aroma of wet flour or pizza dough and pretzel, but fresh and full of life, like a block of Irish sod. The body is medium-light, with a semi-sweet flavor featuring cashew, honey and white grape. And the wet hay returns with wet stone in the finish, rounding out the night-at-the-farm flavor, sipping on golden grains next to animals stabled for the evening.
Jan 20, 2021
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
by GarrettB from Colorado
July 30th, 2016 Here's a beer I wish I could have enjoyed while lounging on a hay bale somewhere in the Belgian countryside. That's partially because it both looks the part, and smells a little like hay, with a wafting aroma of bread and wet dog. That alone paints a beautiful rural picture, but there's also some richness in the aroma of wet flour or pizza dough and pretzel, but fresh and full of life, like a block of Irish sod. The body is medium-light, with a semi-sweet flavor featuring cashew, honey and white grape. And the wet hay returns with wet stone in the finish, rounding out the night-at-the-farm flavor, sipping on golden grains next to animals stabled for the evening.
Jan 20, 2021
4.31/5 rDev +7.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.25
by rmcnealy from Illinois
Been on a Czech and German/Bavarian kick recently.
This is a great example of a Helles Lager. Usual golden color with a dense, quickly fleeting spongy head. Solid depth, great mix of hops and barleys. This is how the genre should taste. I really enjoy this example.
Dec 18, 2020
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.25
by rmcnealy from Illinois
Been on a Czech and German/Bavarian kick recently.
This is a great example of a Helles Lager. Usual golden color with a dense, quickly fleeting spongy head. Solid depth, great mix of hops and barleys. This is how the genre should taste. I really enjoy this example.
Dec 18, 2020
4 by FLBeerGuy from Florida on Dec 14, 2020
4.71/5 rDev +17.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
by Tilley4 from Tennessee
Jeezus...
Not sure I can imagine a better example of a delicious German beer than this....
Ample carbonation...
Gorgeous aromas...
The minerality of the water..
The perfect amalgamation of hops and barley..
Until Hell froze over.. pun intended...
If you are a German beer fan or a fan of lagers in general...you need to give this a try..
Dec 05, 2020
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
by Tilley4 from Tennessee
Jeezus...
Not sure I can imagine a better example of a delicious German beer than this....
Ample carbonation...
Gorgeous aromas...
The minerality of the water..
The perfect amalgamation of hops and barley..
Until Hell froze over.. pun intended...
If you are a German beer fan or a fan of lagers in general...you need to give this a try..
Dec 05, 2020
4.25 by xungmound98 from New York on Nov 30, 2020
4.9 by OregonGrown7 from Oregon on Nov 23, 2020
4.97/5 rDev +23.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
by ZenAgnostic from Texas
500mL bottled poured into Lindemans flute. No obvious date anywhere but L 1287 printed on the bottom of the back label. Picked up from the liquor store for around $3 to 4 USD.
Appearance - Pours very large and tight pearly white head with great retention. Hazy, pale straw and white body with small to medium sized floating particulates. Very faint, occasional bubbling. Slight stick, but that kind of seems irrelevant for a flute beer. 4.5
Smell - Soft, bready, and malty. A swirl gives some distinct honey spice. So complex and inviting. Light and fruity in general, but also some hints of dark fruit. 5
Taste - Honey. Lots of honey. Some bread. Lots of complexity unfolding at each stage. 5
Mouthfeel - Light to medium. Softness above all. Everything is so rounded and palatable. But has some hidden body to it. This is one of the most complex beers I've ever had that happens to also be this light in character. 5
Overall - Complex, delicious, and yet very drinkable. Well worth the price of admission. Would have been satisfying paying 3x as much. Okay STOP THE PRESSES. I just saw that the ingredients are simply Water, Barley Malt, Hops. Reinheitsgebot verified? This is the most basic beer possible, yet it has complexity and finesse that way more overproduced beers can't touch. Actually shocked. The biggest WTF moment I've had with beer in years. 5
Oct 26, 2020
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
by ZenAgnostic from Texas
500mL bottled poured into Lindemans flute. No obvious date anywhere but L 1287 printed on the bottom of the back label. Picked up from the liquor store for around $3 to 4 USD.
Appearance - Pours very large and tight pearly white head with great retention. Hazy, pale straw and white body with small to medium sized floating particulates. Very faint, occasional bubbling. Slight stick, but that kind of seems irrelevant for a flute beer. 4.5
Smell - Soft, bready, and malty. A swirl gives some distinct honey spice. So complex and inviting. Light and fruity in general, but also some hints of dark fruit. 5
Taste - Honey. Lots of honey. Some bread. Lots of complexity unfolding at each stage. 5
Mouthfeel - Light to medium. Softness above all. Everything is so rounded and palatable. But has some hidden body to it. This is one of the most complex beers I've ever had that happens to also be this light in character. 5
Overall - Complex, delicious, and yet very drinkable. Well worth the price of admission. Would have been satisfying paying 3x as much. Okay STOP THE PRESSES. I just saw that the ingredients are simply Water, Barley Malt, Hops. Reinheitsgebot verified? This is the most basic beer possible, yet it has complexity and finesse that way more overproduced beers can't touch. Actually shocked. The biggest WTF moment I've had with beer in years. 5
Oct 26, 2020
4.2/5 rDev +4.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
by Bitterbill from Wyoming
L0200 on the label.
Pours a sparkling bright and clear gold with a smallish head of foam.
Smells malty, somewhat hoppy, a little fruity, with some notes of bread.
Bready malt taste, some light hop bitterness, semisweet, clean and refreshing.
Medium body and carbonation.
Wonderful refreshing beer!
Oct 24, 2020
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
by Bitterbill from Wyoming
L0200 on the label.
Pours a sparkling bright and clear gold with a smallish head of foam.
Smells malty, somewhat hoppy, a little fruity, with some notes of bread.
Bready malt taste, some light hop bitterness, semisweet, clean and refreshing.
Medium body and carbonation.
Wonderful refreshing beer!
Oct 24, 2020
4.75 by koolkitty from England on Oct 09, 2020
3.75 by mmilyko from Nevada on Sep 29, 2020
4 by allenson21 from New York on Sep 19, 2020
3.93 by BlueSpader from Washington on Sep 07, 2020
4.83/5 rDev +20.1%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
by ThePold from Virginia
Bottle from Union Market in DC; this is a very solid lager - tastes like one ought to taste. Buy again.
Aug 30, 2020
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
by ThePold from Virginia
Bottle from Union Market in DC; this is a very solid lager - tastes like one ought to taste. Buy again.
Aug 30, 2020
4.43/5 rDev +10.2%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
by MrOH from Malta
Clear light gold, thick white head, excellent retention and lace
Honeyed bread malt aroma, a hint of noble hop
Sweet malt flavor, very light noble hop flavor
Light bodied and effervescent
Really nice Helles
Aug 16, 2020
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
by MrOH from Malta
Clear light gold, thick white head, excellent retention and lace
Honeyed bread malt aroma, a hint of noble hop
Sweet malt flavor, very light noble hop flavor
Light bodied and effervescent
Really nice Helles
Aug 16, 2020
4.25/5 rDev +5.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
by eatsluggs from Oregon
Now this is a real lager! Clean, malty, beautiful yeast taste, good carbonation. Slightly bitter. Perfect!
Jul 24, 2020
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
by eatsluggs from Oregon
Now this is a real lager! Clean, malty, beautiful yeast taste, good carbonation. Slightly bitter. Perfect!
Jul 24, 2020
4.01 by BubbleBobble from New York on May 12, 2020
4.84/5 rDev +20.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
by Hatchjaw from Washington
Holy hell would be more apt, because this might be the Big Kahuna burger of Bavarian helleses. Looks a little murky, which weird, but it goes down the throat like liquid might being poured down your gullet by some minor Nordic deity. Must be rare in the PNW at any rate, since I've scoured fine beer shops and just had it randomly appear at my local TW. Should've bought them all.
May 06, 2020
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
by Hatchjaw from Washington
Holy hell would be more apt, because this might be the Big Kahuna burger of Bavarian helleses. Looks a little murky, which weird, but it goes down the throat like liquid might being poured down your gullet by some minor Nordic deity. Must be rare in the PNW at any rate, since I've scoured fine beer shops and just had it randomly appear at my local TW. Should've bought them all.
May 06, 2020
4.45/5 rDev +10.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
by REVZEB from Illinois
Clear bright gold with a finger of white foam. Flowers and grass linger on the honey, bread, and malt body, very aromatic. Taste follows this trajectory with good grains. Feel is lighter and more floral than the normal, but has good bready depth, decently carbonated. Perfect helles for late spring. The wife loved it
Apr 25, 2020
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
by REVZEB from Illinois
Clear bright gold with a finger of white foam. Flowers and grass linger on the honey, bread, and malt body, very aromatic. Taste follows this trajectory with good grains. Feel is lighter and more floral than the normal, but has good bready depth, decently carbonated. Perfect helles for late spring. The wife loved it
Apr 25, 2020
Vollbier Hell from Klosterbrauerei Andechs
Beer rating:
90 out of
100 with
386 ratings