Sixpoint: Alpenflo Helles Lager

No, Sixpoint doesn't distribute to Illinois. And they're struggling with Wisconsin too.

Personally, I think distributors are overwhelmed with so many different beers clogging shelves. Sad state of affairs in this new age of beer and brewing.

 

I bought a 12 pack a week ago and I am about halfway through it. I waited to have a few and I did a back to back with Spaten yesterday to dial in my opinion before posting here. This is a very good beer. If I can find any more (I've only seen the one 12 pack at my regular store) I will buy more. My initial impression was confirmed more with my Spaten comparison. Great beer but slightly different from most German helles. It's a more flavorful beer than Spaten. I picked up on a flavor that I first classified as creamy and upon reflection identified as vanilla. As mentioned, more flavorful than Spaten, but missing the lightly toasted bread flavor that is in the background of Spaten. If I had to guess, there is a very healthy dose of a low lovibond crystal malt present here that may not be used as much in German examples, or, if used as much, is not as perceptible because of the low oxygen techniques used in Germany.

Great beer, if you haven't bought it yet, do not hesitate.

 

Spaten Premium used to be my favorite import Helles, but it has slowly lost that good toasty, melanoidin character I always identify with Helles. These days Hofbräu Original is more reminiscent of those fresh Munich beers to my palate, maybe do a side-by with that?

 

Thanks. Will be looking for fresh Surly Hell then while I finish the remains of my January 2018 Weihenstephaner Lager. Doubtful we will have it that fresh here for awhile. I did some more looking and guess the closest is in Indiana.

 

Thanks. I can swing the Douglaston trip

 

Right on. Let us know if you have any luck there, or if they are sold out. cheers

 

The problem is timing. I recently saw some fresh Hofbrau hit the shelves but the Spaten I have been buying recently is now about 6 months old. I hate to give one beer too much of an age advantage but realistically I might never have the two sync up any closer as far as age is concerned. I'll report back if I decide to pull the trigger and try it.

 

Wish I could find that. The stuff around here isn't crazy old, but it's definitely not that fresh -- but that could make a difference.

Then there's that green bottle... which pushes me to Spaten 12-packs... another twist in finding fresh stock.

 

one of the reasons why we did cans!

 

I know some of you are curious - an update on my half assed quest to purchase Alpenflo:

I somehow found myself at Ikea yesterday, went to Hometown BBQ for the first time (was quite disappointed, brisket was ok but the rest was not very good - lots of Sixpoint branding there but only one beer offered), thought I'd definitely find some Alpenflo at Fairway just a few blocks away from Sixpoint HQ but no. In the last few days I also tried Triboro beverage, Bryant Park WF, a Stop and Shop but no (I did buy beer at those places).

 

If it makes you feel any better (and I suspect it won't) I have not found any Alpenflo either.

Oh well?

Cheers!

 

Hey Jack, not sure how far you are from **** Bevarage in West Chester but they received it on Friday.

 

Yeah maybe it'll happen one day but there's always great beer around. I was low on beer so I stocked up on these trips. Jack's Abby Saxony Lager, Sam 76, the Sierra Nevada/Weihenstephaner heffeweis, founder's solid gold (not excited by this one) and the Holy Grail - SN Kolsch. So if I see it great but it's not distributed in the places I shop apparently.

 

Who knew that a Helles would be the whale of 2018!!?

 

Because it's a refreshing breath of fresh air! A quality, well made German lager and not yet another poor attempt at a NE IPA, pastry stout or other cliche release that is flooding every market from nearly every brewery. So it's exciting... I am currently on the lookout for another case, or two, so I can restock my fridge with it. We tear this beer up!

 

Did you try checking the places Shane listed above?

Also, come down to the release on May 19th -- I'm sure Alpenflo will either be on tap, be available by the 12 pack, or both!

 

I think one of those places isn't too far from me, but sometimes you only can get to certain places when you have limited time to do errands. I mean I did check all sorts of places that carry your beer, even the variety pack but no Alpenflo. Sixpoint isn't the only brewery getting bad placement from Union in the NYC area, so I don't place much blame on you guys.

But not having it at the Red Hook Fairway was a surprise.

 

I saw it when I wasn't looking for it and passed it up. Now that I'm looking to pick it up, I can't find it! I expect this, Summerfest, and Victory Home Grown to be my primary go-tos this summer.

 

Contact your local shop! This topic reminded me I am nearly out of my latest case of Alpenflo (4 cans left, oh no!!…) so I contacted my local shop via Facebook and they called the distributor and they will get a shipment next Tuesday! Going to grab another two cases.

 

I stumbled across this last week at TW (it was on my radar even though not a style I seek out). A buddy and I really enjoyed it, it took me back to the time I was getting sips from my dad. I'm not "sessioning" it but will probably need to revisit when it gets hot here in a couple months.