Velas Helles
Smoky Mountain Brewery & Restaurant

Velas HellesVelas Helles
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From:
Smoky Mountain Brewery & Restaurant
 
Tennessee, United States
Style:
Helles
ABV:
5.2%
Score:
77
Avg:
3.31 | pDev: 17.22%
Reviews:
43
Ratings:
114
Status:
Active
Rated:
Oct 18, 2020
Added:
Feb 06, 2003
Wants:
  0
Gots:
  9
Continental style lager enjoyed throughout Europe. Less hoppy than Pilsner and very drinkable. Light color. Balanced with Bavarian hops.

22 IBU
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by dcscientist:
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Reviewed by dcscientist from Colorado

3.88/5  rDev +17.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
This was a pretty decent Helles; I'm not sure why it's rated so low. Had this when I was in the area, so it was my first exposure to this brewery. Maybe they tweaked the recipe recently to improve it? It was mellow with just a bit of spice to it, which is pretty typical of the style, so I thought it was a good representation.
Jan 03, 2017
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 3.26 by dschwartz13 from Tennessee

Oct 18, 2020
 
Rated: 2.25 by jeschaefer from Texas

Sep 22, 2020
 
Rated: 3.5 by Elicoleman from Colorado

Jan 22, 2020
 
Rated: 3 by Cpmitchno1 from Virginia

Sep 01, 2019
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Reviewed by jkblr from Indiana

2.98/5  rDev -10%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 2.75
Served on draft at the Gatlinburg location. Straw yellow with nearly white head. The head recedes to a thin film. The aroma is faint grain. The taste is mildly tart with light grain and hardly any bitterness. The mouthfeel is medium to thin bodied, adequately carbonated and undry in the finish. Overall, not good. Tastes and feel of incomplete fermentation & lagering plus poor tap conditions.
Jun 04, 2019
 
Rated: 3.19 by curlybird from Pennsylvania

May 13, 2019
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Reviewed by JayQue from Virginia

3.43/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
A fairly basic Helles. Beautiful dark gold color but almost no head without a hard pour and no lacing. Below average head retention. Mild malty aroma and taste. Not much going on here. Mouthfeel is crisp and light, without the "pillowy" softness of many Helles. Not bad, but nothing I would seek out again.
Nov 28, 2018
 
Rated: 2.5 by tykechandler from Kentucky

Jun 22, 2018
Photo of BigGold
Reviewed by BigGold from Mississippi

3.43/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Assuming this is what is now called Helles Munich Light Lager, first had at Calhoun’s on the River, Knoxville, on draft into pint tumbler. Proper color, but minimal head and aroma, this Helles is solidly on-style and nicely malty.
Mar 15, 2018
 
Rated: 3.74 by JoeyJellico from Kentucky

Dec 29, 2017
 
Rated: 3.48 by robebo44 from Virginia

May 30, 2017
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Reviewed by WoodBrew from Ohio

2.91/5  rDev -12.1%
look: 2 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.75
My parents brought back a sampler 6pck from there trip down south. This beer poured a clear golden with no head and no lace. The scent had hints of bread and bitter hop. The taste well balanced and easy to drink. The mouthfeel was lighter in body with poor carbonation. Overall it's ok.
Mar 18, 2017
 
Rated: 3.47 by redsoxjim from Massachusetts

Nov 10, 2016
 
Rated: 2.98 by LJWalker from Indiana

Sep 15, 2016
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Reviewed by lwcreasy from Virginia

2.76/5  rDev -16.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.75
Decent looking- gold and bright. Not much on the nose; some malt. Lacks malt flavor, a little too hop-balanced for a Munich Helles. Vegetal and slightly astringent in the aftertaste. Somewhat refreshing and drinkable.
Sep 01, 2016
 
Rated: 3.5 by atlbravsrno1 from Maine

Aug 29, 2016
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Reviewed by tigg924 from Massachusetts

3.56/5  rDev +7.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
Had on tap Knoxville location. Pours clear, bright yellow in color with 1/2 inch head. Taste is honey and grass. Makes for a light bodied, high carbonation, sweet lager. Refreshing and malty, I could do several on a hot day.
Jul 23, 2016
 
Rated: 3.43 by Fatty_Mccracken from Illinois

Jun 29, 2016
 
Rated: 4.1 by PUbeer from Indiana

Apr 21, 2016
Velas Helles from Smoky Mountain Brewery & Restaurant
Beer rating: 77 out of 100 with 114 ratings