Andechser Vollbier Hell
Klosterbrauerei Andechs
Beer Geek Stats:
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- Style:
- German Helles
Ranked #6 - ABV:
- 4.8%
- Score:
- 90
Ranked #5,278 - Avg:
- 4.05 | pDev: 10.62%
- Reviews:
- 84
- Ratings:
- From:
- Klosterbrauerei Andechs
- Germany
- Avail:
- Year-round
- Wants
- 21
- Gots
- 39
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.
Reviews: 84
| Ratings: 293
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4.86/5 rDev +20%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 5
50cl bottle, bb in 6m, so not quite fresh but not old either.
Beautiful light yellow, with a slight golden tinge. Very clear. Pure white fine-grained foam.
Nose is lightly toasted white bread with just the right hint of honey. A whiff of grassy hops.. Hallertau maybe.
Taste matches the aroma, adding emphasized honeyed grain flavors. Medium body, balanced carbonation. Nothing hits you on the nose, but if you stop to enjoy, there is plenty of subtlety to savor.
This is one height of brewers' art. Supremely drinkable while understatedly complex. Technically much harder to do than any IPA. Nothing to hide behind and every error would stick out like a sore thumb. Hats off, this has to be one of the best helles around.
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look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 5
50cl bottle, bb in 6m, so not quite fresh but not old either.
Beautiful light yellow, with a slight golden tinge. Very clear. Pure white fine-grained foam.
Nose is lightly toasted white bread with just the right hint of honey. A whiff of grassy hops.. Hallertau maybe.
Taste matches the aroma, adding emphasized honeyed grain flavors. Medium body, balanced carbonation. Nothing hits you on the nose, but if you stop to enjoy, there is plenty of subtlety to savor.
This is one height of brewers' art. Supremely drinkable while understatedly complex. Technically much harder to do than any IPA. Nothing to hide behind and every error would stick out like a sore thumb. Hats off, this has to be one of the best helles around.
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3.8/5 rDev -6.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
There is no date just a short Julian code on the back of the bottle. The pour is straw colored with a medium level flow of carbonation. The taste is grains, steamed cauliflower, white cracker, & I agree with the slight lemon note as well. It was a good German Helles lager & worth a try if you've not had it yet. Cheers! B
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look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
There is no date just a short Julian code on the back of the bottle. The pour is straw colored with a medium level flow of carbonation. The taste is grains, steamed cauliflower, white cracker, & I agree with the slight lemon note as well. It was a good German Helles lager & worth a try if you've not had it yet. Cheers! B
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4.29/5 rDev +5.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
Poured into a glass mug, the appearance was a superb translucent glossy yellow color topped by a small cap of white foamy head. Just a concave wispy lace clings to my glass yet slides with my sips.
The aroma had a beautiful blend of sweet fruity malty lager tones roaming through some toast/white bready notes.
The flavor provided a pure bready sweetness properly flowing into some light grassy to floral hop hints. Mostly a bready aftertaste with some dry toast.
The mouthfeel was between light and medium bodied with a very good sessionability about it (I could pound this all day if I wanted to). Sturdy carbonation comes in good with a semi-sticky finish with white bread/toast.
Overall, I'd say pretty well brewed Helles lager! Nice and easy going with any flaws. Would definitely pair nicely with German cuisine.
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look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
Poured into a glass mug, the appearance was a superb translucent glossy yellow color topped by a small cap of white foamy head. Just a concave wispy lace clings to my glass yet slides with my sips.
The aroma had a beautiful blend of sweet fruity malty lager tones roaming through some toast/white bready notes.
The flavor provided a pure bready sweetness properly flowing into some light grassy to floral hop hints. Mostly a bready aftertaste with some dry toast.
The mouthfeel was between light and medium bodied with a very good sessionability about it (I could pound this all day if I wanted to). Sturdy carbonation comes in good with a semi-sticky finish with white bread/toast.
Overall, I'd say pretty well brewed Helles lager! Nice and easy going with any flaws. Would definitely pair nicely with German cuisine.
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4.28/5 rDev +5.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
(please note: I don't know all that mouthfeel stuff. I just like beer)
Old German guy named Hans told me to get it when my previous favorite brand stopped exporting to Colorado. I always believe old guys named Hans when shopping for beer. He was also buying a huge jar of pickles.
Wonderful lightish beer (4.8 percent!), with that slightly sweet German Hell taste that hipsters hate. Smells expensive, but isn't.
Great head, wonderful light color. Low on the hop level, which is fine by me: I threw out my fedora out years ago.
When you put it in your mouth, it feels like beer. Not ale, not Coors, not wheat, not dunkel, not lambec, but beer. Good, proper beer.
But seriously, note that when you go to a store frequented by Germans, it's the one that's always sold out…even the other Andechs beers will still be left.
For the price, it's my absolute favorite, it's the one I keep in my fridge. And everyone gives it a 4…all for under 4 bucks a pint!
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look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
(please note: I don't know all that mouthfeel stuff. I just like beer)
Old German guy named Hans told me to get it when my previous favorite brand stopped exporting to Colorado. I always believe old guys named Hans when shopping for beer. He was also buying a huge jar of pickles.
Wonderful lightish beer (4.8 percent!), with that slightly sweet German Hell taste that hipsters hate. Smells expensive, but isn't.
Great head, wonderful light color. Low on the hop level, which is fine by me: I threw out my fedora out years ago.
When you put it in your mouth, it feels like beer. Not ale, not Coors, not wheat, not dunkel, not lambec, but beer. Good, proper beer.
But seriously, note that when you go to a store frequented by Germans, it's the one that's always sold out…even the other Andechs beers will still be left.
For the price, it's my absolute favorite, it's the one I keep in my fridge. And everyone gives it a 4…all for under 4 bucks a pint!
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3.75/5 rDev -7.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Pours a clear medium straw yellow with moderate head.
Smell is light, sweet, malt. Bready and slightly floral.
Taste is grassy with some floral hops. Nice bitter finish.
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look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Pours a clear medium straw yellow with moderate head.
Smell is light, sweet, malt. Bready and slightly floral.
Taste is grassy with some floral hops. Nice bitter finish.
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4.02/5 rDev -0.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
500mL bottle purchased at Pilgrim's in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. No obvious freshness date, although "L 0228" is stamped on the rear label.
Poured into a pilsener flute, this was a clear golden amber color, with a decent, off-white head. Really great clarity!
Crackery malt aroma and a light hop scent somewhere between floral and herbal.
Very well-balanced flavor. The malts lead the charge, but only just. Very subtle and restrained. Crisp and dry at the finish, but only just enough to encourage another sip.
Fairly light bodied, with a mouthfeel very soft and low impact until the finish, where things get lightly crisp and a little dry in comparison to what went before. Clean finish, no lingering aftertaste.
A very drinkable, low key Helles. Takes me back to when in Germany, a little over 19 yrs ago(!). This would easily inspire oneself to have several litres in a Biergarten on a nice day.
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look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
500mL bottle purchased at Pilgrim's in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. No obvious freshness date, although "L 0228" is stamped on the rear label.
Poured into a pilsener flute, this was a clear golden amber color, with a decent, off-white head. Really great clarity!
Crackery malt aroma and a light hop scent somewhere between floral and herbal.
Very well-balanced flavor. The malts lead the charge, but only just. Very subtle and restrained. Crisp and dry at the finish, but only just enough to encourage another sip.
Fairly light bodied, with a mouthfeel very soft and low impact until the finish, where things get lightly crisp and a little dry in comparison to what went before. Clean finish, no lingering aftertaste.
A very drinkable, low key Helles. Takes me back to when in Germany, a little over 19 yrs ago(!). This would easily inspire oneself to have several litres in a Biergarten on a nice day.
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3.61/5 rDev -10.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4
BOTTLE: 500ml format. Purchased at a reputable beer store in Denver, CO for $3.99 USD. Brown glass with a pry-off crown cap. Appealing green label with a classic Bavarian motif.
"a classical Bavarian Vollbier (11.5% original extract and 4.8% alcohol by volume)." "Super Premium Bavarian Lager."
Served cold into a Paulaner pilsner glass.
HEAD: Fills ~70% of the glass initially, retaining strong over a good 10+ minutes. Foamy, soft, and frothy, inviting the drinker's first sip. ~11cm in height. Leaves mild wisps of lacing as it recedes. Lively and enticing.
BODY: Vibrant clear yellow. Obviously filtered, and boasting glorious clarity. Bright, clean, and lively.
Looks solid for a Munich helles lager...easily a textbook appearance for the style.
AROMA: Grassy Noble hops, biscuit, clean pilsner malt, minerals, fresh 2-row. A kiss of bread dough from German yeast.
Not finding any toast or lemon. Has no off-notes based on the aroma.
Suggests a clean easy drinking helles lager with no faults whatsoever. I'm eager to try it.
Aromatic intensity is average (typical for the style). Seems mellow and approachable.
TASTE & TEXTURE: Clean yet husky, hitting on mellow yet crisp pale malts and 2-row/pilsner malt. It's refreshing but finishes surprisingly dry and coarse, encouraging the next sip. I get no toasty or Munich malt character from the malt backbone.
Hop profile is grassy and a bit floral, seemingly classically Noble in character. Not fruity or lemony.
Balanced if a bit neutral - certainly an approachable and inoffensive beer. It'd be easy to imagine quaffing it by the litre if not for its dry finish, which does impede its otherwise insane drinkability.
Crisply carbonated yet soft on the palate. Light to medium-bodied with a clean mellow presence on the palate.
Not oily, gushed, hot, boozy, astringent, harsh, or scratchy. I do wish it didn't finish so rough, but I doubt it'd be as such if I tried it fresh on-draught.
OVERALL: A delightfully drinkable well-balanced helles lager that adheres about as firmly to traditional style conventions as probably any beer out there. I have to imagine it's a marvelous beer fresh on-draught, as even the bottle I bought in Colorado that's sat on shelves for who knows how long at tepid temperatures is still drinking real nice, but my current rating reflects the state of the beer as it is. I'd encourage Andechs to do transparent date coding and to advise retailers to refrigerate. Definitely a beer I'd love to revisit back in Germany.
B (3.61) / GOOD
Would pair well with a buttered (soft) pretzel.
Serve quite cold.
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look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4
BOTTLE: 500ml format. Purchased at a reputable beer store in Denver, CO for $3.99 USD. Brown glass with a pry-off crown cap. Appealing green label with a classic Bavarian motif.
"a classical Bavarian Vollbier (11.5% original extract and 4.8% alcohol by volume)." "Super Premium Bavarian Lager."
Served cold into a Paulaner pilsner glass.
HEAD: Fills ~70% of the glass initially, retaining strong over a good 10+ minutes. Foamy, soft, and frothy, inviting the drinker's first sip. ~11cm in height. Leaves mild wisps of lacing as it recedes. Lively and enticing.
BODY: Vibrant clear yellow. Obviously filtered, and boasting glorious clarity. Bright, clean, and lively.
Looks solid for a Munich helles lager...easily a textbook appearance for the style.
AROMA: Grassy Noble hops, biscuit, clean pilsner malt, minerals, fresh 2-row. A kiss of bread dough from German yeast.
Not finding any toast or lemon. Has no off-notes based on the aroma.
Suggests a clean easy drinking helles lager with no faults whatsoever. I'm eager to try it.
Aromatic intensity is average (typical for the style). Seems mellow and approachable.
TASTE & TEXTURE: Clean yet husky, hitting on mellow yet crisp pale malts and 2-row/pilsner malt. It's refreshing but finishes surprisingly dry and coarse, encouraging the next sip. I get no toasty or Munich malt character from the malt backbone.
Hop profile is grassy and a bit floral, seemingly classically Noble in character. Not fruity or lemony.
Balanced if a bit neutral - certainly an approachable and inoffensive beer. It'd be easy to imagine quaffing it by the litre if not for its dry finish, which does impede its otherwise insane drinkability.
Crisply carbonated yet soft on the palate. Light to medium-bodied with a clean mellow presence on the palate.
Not oily, gushed, hot, boozy, astringent, harsh, or scratchy. I do wish it didn't finish so rough, but I doubt it'd be as such if I tried it fresh on-draught.
OVERALL: A delightfully drinkable well-balanced helles lager that adheres about as firmly to traditional style conventions as probably any beer out there. I have to imagine it's a marvelous beer fresh on-draught, as even the bottle I bought in Colorado that's sat on shelves for who knows how long at tepid temperatures is still drinking real nice, but my current rating reflects the state of the beer as it is. I'd encourage Andechs to do transparent date coding and to advise retailers to refrigerate. Definitely a beer I'd love to revisit back in Germany.
B (3.61) / GOOD
Would pair well with a buttered (soft) pretzel.
Serve quite cold.
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4.05/5 rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
From a 500ml bottle. Golden color with a finger of white head. Smells of grass. Soft, pillowy feel. Light malt and floral hop flavors. Nicely balanced, great example of the style.
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look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
From a 500ml bottle. Golden color with a finger of white head. Smells of grass. Soft, pillowy feel. Light malt and floral hop flavors. Nicely balanced, great example of the style.
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4.1/5 rDev +1.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Like Luis Rainer taking a hot spritz after a long day of filming The Good Earth, this dang sucker is surprisingly clean. When thinking of the best of the best, Weihenstephaner always comes to mind, but Raul decided to get out of his comfort zone and boy was he rewarded! Super balanced like Philip Pettite on a tight rope, this is just a beautiful libation.
Prost!
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look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Like Luis Rainer taking a hot spritz after a long day of filming The Good Earth, this dang sucker is surprisingly clean. When thinking of the best of the best, Weihenstephaner always comes to mind, but Raul decided to get out of his comfort zone and boy was he rewarded! Super balanced like Philip Pettite on a tight rope, this is just a beautiful libation.
Prost!
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4.76/5 rDev +17.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75
12 oz pour into a can glass
A: Bright clear gold yellow body with decent carbonation. The head is a tiny tight knit small bubbled thing.
S: Lots of herbal grass and floral notes, then you get a lot of bread and soft doughy sweetness accompanied by just the right amount of carbonation.
M: Nice crisp feel lighter to slightly medium bodied.
O: Exceptional beer flavor is right where you want it to be and the mouthfeel makes it so you could drink it for days.
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look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75
12 oz pour into a can glass
A: Bright clear gold yellow body with decent carbonation. The head is a tiny tight knit small bubbled thing.
S: Lots of herbal grass and floral notes, then you get a lot of bread and soft doughy sweetness accompanied by just the right amount of carbonation.
M: Nice crisp feel lighter to slightly medium bodied.
O: Exceptional beer flavor is right where you want it to be and the mouthfeel makes it so you could drink it for days.
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4.12/5 rDev +1.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
16.9 oz. Bottle
Code: L3276
Pours a pretty nice clean/clear pale yellow color, with some pretty nice carbonation, with a pretty nice thick/creamy one-finger plus white head, which also leaves some pretty nice sticky lacing behind. The nose is malty, hoppy, with a nice citrus complex (lemon, grapefruit). The taste is pretty nice, malty, hoppy, with a nice citrus complex (lemon, grapefruit), nice little sweetness. Medium body, ABV hidden pretty nicely. Overall, a pretty tasty brew.
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look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
16.9 oz. Bottle
Code: L3276
Pours a pretty nice clean/clear pale yellow color, with some pretty nice carbonation, with a pretty nice thick/creamy one-finger plus white head, which also leaves some pretty nice sticky lacing behind. The nose is malty, hoppy, with a nice citrus complex (lemon, grapefruit). The taste is pretty nice, malty, hoppy, with a nice citrus complex (lemon, grapefruit), nice little sweetness. Medium body, ABV hidden pretty nicely. Overall, a pretty tasty brew.
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4.47/5 rDev +10.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
L: Pours a pale straw yellow, with a very creamy white head that dissipates rather quickly but leaves some lacing on the glass.
S: Toasted cereal sweet malt, mixed with some fresh bread dough, and some nice floral hops. Very inviting aroma.
T: Toasted sweet cereal malt, mixed with some fresh bread dough and a strong floral hop with a light bitterness, very pleasant and easy drinking.
F: Crisp, clean and easy drinking.
O: A very nicely balanced and drinkable Helles lager.
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look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
L: Pours a pale straw yellow, with a very creamy white head that dissipates rather quickly but leaves some lacing on the glass.
S: Toasted cereal sweet malt, mixed with some fresh bread dough, and some nice floral hops. Very inviting aroma.
T: Toasted sweet cereal malt, mixed with some fresh bread dough and a strong floral hop with a light bitterness, very pleasant and easy drinking.
F: Crisp, clean and easy drinking.
O: A very nicely balanced and drinkable Helles lager.
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3.96/5 rDev -2.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Poured a pale straw color with thin white head. Very clear. Moderate lacing. Nose is fresh and very light toast and flowery. Taste is sweet followed by light dough and balanced hop bitterness. Very refreshing. Light to moderate feel and carbonation. Crisp. This is a very good Helles Lager!
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look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Poured a pale straw color with thin white head. Very clear. Moderate lacing. Nose is fresh and very light toast and flowery. Taste is sweet followed by light dough and balanced hop bitterness. Very refreshing. Light to moderate feel and carbonation. Crisp. This is a very good Helles Lager!
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4.17/5 rDev +3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Pours into a half liter stein a clear shimmering lighter golden with a large blooming bone white head that settles very nicely into a frothy mass.Toasted grains,slight mineral,and floral hops in the nose,very delicate in nature.Very dry and crisp on the palate,almost toasted cereal-like, with just a hint of sweetish pizza dough that lingers,there is a mineral element and slightly sharp hoppy finish.What a great delicate lager,great subtle flavor nuances and great to look at.A gem of a helles lager here.
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look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Pours into a half liter stein a clear shimmering lighter golden with a large blooming bone white head that settles very nicely into a frothy mass.Toasted grains,slight mineral,and floral hops in the nose,very delicate in nature.Very dry and crisp on the palate,almost toasted cereal-like, with just a hint of sweetish pizza dough that lingers,there is a mineral element and slightly sharp hoppy finish.What a great delicate lager,great subtle flavor nuances and great to look at.A gem of a helles lager here.
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4.33/5 rDev +6.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
On tap at The Upper Lip.
A limpid light yellow with a suffuse white head with good retention and lacing. The nose is brilliant. Soft, doughy, lemony , earthy with honey, a little dust and bread, this is excellent. The palate opens soft, doughy and mildly bitter, a blend of honey, earth and lemon. Mildly dusty with cotton candy, lemon zest and dough. Soft, mildly bitter on the finish, this beer is light in body, softly carbonated and exceptional.
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look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
On tap at The Upper Lip.
A limpid light yellow with a suffuse white head with good retention and lacing. The nose is brilliant. Soft, doughy, lemony , earthy with honey, a little dust and bread, this is excellent. The palate opens soft, doughy and mildly bitter, a blend of honey, earth and lemon. Mildly dusty with cotton candy, lemon zest and dough. Soft, mildly bitter on the finish, this beer is light in body, softly carbonated and exceptional.
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3.97/5 rDev -2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
HELL beer! Ahhhhh. Light golden in color. Clear in appearance. Toasted grain, earthy grass and noble hop flavors. Light, crisp and delicious! Very solid German Helles.
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look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
HELL beer! Ahhhhh. Light golden in color. Clear in appearance. Toasted grain, earthy grass and noble hop flavors. Light, crisp and delicious! Very solid German Helles.
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3.85/5 rDev -4.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Got one bottle from Bottlecraft Little Italy, SD.
A good Munich hell, but there's some strange moldy, metallic taste, similar to another beer that I could not think of.
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look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Got one bottle from Bottlecraft Little Italy, SD.
A good Munich hell, but there's some strange moldy, metallic taste, similar to another beer that I could not think of.
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4.21/5 rDev +4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
This is one of the gold standards for a Helles.
Crystal clear pale blonde colour, super bready and crisp.
Such a great summer day lager.
Highly recommended.
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look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
This is one of the gold standards for a Helles.
Crystal clear pale blonde colour, super bready and crisp.
Such a great summer day lager.
Highly recommended.
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4.06/5 rDev +0.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Consumed 7/31/17
A: Bright golden yellow - crystal clear - pours with a medium sized white head, gradually fades to a nearly solid wispy cap, maintains a medium collar, leaves streaks and spots of lacing
S: Mild and super clean - lightly bready, with light crackers, hints of toast as well as bread dough - some light touches of lager yeast with some spice, pepper - floral, flowery - grassy hops, but not overly aggressive for this delicate style
T: Extraordinarily mild, which is both a strength and a weakness - floral hops - leafy but mostly grassy hops, with some fresh-cut grass - very light spice, very mild yeast strain - lightly bready, perhaps more crackers than bread - still some light touches of toasted bread and bread dough - low sweetness, super attenuated and dry - supremely clean
M: Light body, medium carbonation, super crisp and dry
O: Apparently Vollbier is not a substyle (yes, I looked it up)
I've been drinking pretty much every Helles I can get my hand on this summer. Andescher's Helles is among the cleanest, crispest, most refreshing ones that I have had. But it's not my favorite, as the malts are a bit too light and the grassy flowers are a touch out of balance.
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look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Consumed 7/31/17
A: Bright golden yellow - crystal clear - pours with a medium sized white head, gradually fades to a nearly solid wispy cap, maintains a medium collar, leaves streaks and spots of lacing
S: Mild and super clean - lightly bready, with light crackers, hints of toast as well as bread dough - some light touches of lager yeast with some spice, pepper - floral, flowery - grassy hops, but not overly aggressive for this delicate style
T: Extraordinarily mild, which is both a strength and a weakness - floral hops - leafy but mostly grassy hops, with some fresh-cut grass - very light spice, very mild yeast strain - lightly bready, perhaps more crackers than bread - still some light touches of toasted bread and bread dough - low sweetness, super attenuated and dry - supremely clean
M: Light body, medium carbonation, super crisp and dry
O: Apparently Vollbier is not a substyle (yes, I looked it up)
I've been drinking pretty much every Helles I can get my hand on this summer. Andescher's Helles is among the cleanest, crispest, most refreshing ones that I have had. But it's not my favorite, as the malts are a bit too light and the grassy flowers are a touch out of balance.
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4.12/5 rDev +1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
First had at Humpenbude ("Tankardbooth"), Phantasialand, Brühl, Germany, "vom Fass" into 0,5l stange. Beautifully sophisticated, and the best Munich Helles I have yet had.
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look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
First had at Humpenbude ("Tankardbooth"), Phantasialand, Brühl, Germany, "vom Fass" into 0,5l stange. Beautifully sophisticated, and the best Munich Helles I have yet had.
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4.31/5 rDev +6.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Ahh Helles lagers. I don't think I've ever drank so many examples of a style that I understood so poorly.
My lack of comprehension is no doubt compounded by the fact that many of the proper German offerings are fairly stale by the time they reach me. And, also, by the annoying trend of American brewers to amend the word "Helles" mindlessly to beer that would have once been called "blondes."
This is, I understand, a classic example of the style. And it seems pretty darn fresh.
It pours a beautiful light gold, with strong effervescence and a nice, soapy white head.
Smells crips and grassy, with light biscuity malt and mild, spicy hop. It's a delicate aroma, but assertive enough, and quite well brewed.
Tastes more complex than the aroma, but still seems very precise. Grassy, grainy start, getting fruity and crisp in the middle of the sip, and finishing with a pronounced combination of biscuits and hop spice. The finish is a bit sour, though not unpleasantly so.
I think my thoroughly American palette will always prefer the more aggressive hop presence of Czech pilseners. That does not mean, however, that I can't appreciate an excellently brewed example of this style--now that I might be getting a handle on it.
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look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Ahh Helles lagers. I don't think I've ever drank so many examples of a style that I understood so poorly.
My lack of comprehension is no doubt compounded by the fact that many of the proper German offerings are fairly stale by the time they reach me. And, also, by the annoying trend of American brewers to amend the word "Helles" mindlessly to beer that would have once been called "blondes."
This is, I understand, a classic example of the style. And it seems pretty darn fresh.
It pours a beautiful light gold, with strong effervescence and a nice, soapy white head.
Smells crips and grassy, with light biscuity malt and mild, spicy hop. It's a delicate aroma, but assertive enough, and quite well brewed.
Tastes more complex than the aroma, but still seems very precise. Grassy, grainy start, getting fruity and crisp in the middle of the sip, and finishing with a pronounced combination of biscuits and hop spice. The finish is a bit sour, though not unpleasantly so.
I think my thoroughly American palette will always prefer the more aggressive hop presence of Czech pilseners. That does not mean, however, that I can't appreciate an excellently brewed example of this style--now that I might be getting a handle on it.
1,240 characters
4.37/5 rDev +7.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
Bright clear as a bell copper colour. Small head quickly fades.
Flavor is delicate malts and lightly floral hops. The malt flavor is lightly toasted Cheerios and backed by generous carbonation. Very good!
Recommended!
223 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
Bright clear as a bell copper colour. Small head quickly fades.
Flavor is delicate malts and lightly floral hops. The malt flavor is lightly toasted Cheerios and backed by generous carbonation. Very good!
Recommended!
223 characters
4.22/5 rDev +4.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
(Reviewed blind)
Pours a darker straw color. Completely crystal clear, effervescent with large bubbles coursing upwards. Pillow-y white head dissipates leaving a partial layer of white bubbly foam behind. Some white lacing is left behind on the glass.
Aroma has notes of grain, malts – somewhat bready, a touch of light honey like sweetness. A subtle hint of a floral hop note is present, albeit faint. As the beer warms there is also a subtle hint of sulfur, but very light and in no way distracting.
Taste has notes of bready malts, almost lightly toasted. There is a slight hint of sweetness in the flavor, but it is very slight. That hint of sulfur comes through in the flavor. Slight hop bitterness – floral in nature, what you’d expect from noble hops comes through on the back end to the finish.
Medium bodied. Vibrant carbonation provides a spritzy feel. Semi-dry to dry finish.
Overall this is probably my favorite helles lager and a regular in my fridge.
978 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
(Reviewed blind)
Pours a darker straw color. Completely crystal clear, effervescent with large bubbles coursing upwards. Pillow-y white head dissipates leaving a partial layer of white bubbly foam behind. Some white lacing is left behind on the glass.
Aroma has notes of grain, malts – somewhat bready, a touch of light honey like sweetness. A subtle hint of a floral hop note is present, albeit faint. As the beer warms there is also a subtle hint of sulfur, but very light and in no way distracting.
Taste has notes of bready malts, almost lightly toasted. There is a slight hint of sweetness in the flavor, but it is very slight. That hint of sulfur comes through in the flavor. Slight hop bitterness – floral in nature, what you’d expect from noble hops comes through on the back end to the finish.
Medium bodied. Vibrant carbonation provides a spritzy feel. Semi-dry to dry finish.
Overall this is probably my favorite helles lager and a regular in my fridge.
978 characters
4.17/5 rDev +3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Decanted from a 16.9 oz (500 ml) bottle into a conical pint glass; coded L1987, which I interpret to mean July 17, 2017.
A: Pours a crystal clear golden color with very robust, foamy, white head formation, strong retention but only modest lacing.
S: Aromas of grasses and grains initially, with pepper, spice and a white grape note becoming evident with warming.
T: Dry with distinct, but subtle apple, pear, and grain flavors. Grassy with light bittering providing for a crisp finish.
M: Light bodied with excellent persistence of effervescence.
O: A very refreshing, well designed and executed lager beer.
608 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Decanted from a 16.9 oz (500 ml) bottle into a conical pint glass; coded L1987, which I interpret to mean July 17, 2017.
A: Pours a crystal clear golden color with very robust, foamy, white head formation, strong retention but only modest lacing.
S: Aromas of grasses and grains initially, with pepper, spice and a white grape note becoming evident with warming.
T: Dry with distinct, but subtle apple, pear, and grain flavors. Grassy with light bittering providing for a crisp finish.
M: Light bodied with excellent persistence of effervescence.
O: A very refreshing, well designed and executed lager beer.
608 characters
4.17/5 rDev +3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
Love exploring the seemingly endless array of German lagers.
Pale yellow with a continuing rush of bubbles leading to a fluffy white froth. Smells of straw, lemon zest and faint florals. Tastes sweet with a drop of honey, some white grape and lemon, and followed by a bit of grain and cracker. Light to medium and crisp.
A very tasty example of the style and a lot of fun to boot.
389 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
Love exploring the seemingly endless array of German lagers.
Pale yellow with a continuing rush of bubbles leading to a fluffy white froth. Smells of straw, lemon zest and faint florals. Tastes sweet with a drop of honey, some white grape and lemon, and followed by a bit of grain and cracker. Light to medium and crisp.
A very tasty example of the style and a lot of fun to boot.
389 characters
Andechser Vollbier Hell from Klosterbrauerei Andechs
Beer rating:
90 out of
100 with
293 ratings
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