munich helles [style] lager in a can?

It's difficult enough to find a traditionally-brewed Munich Helles, let alone a choice of serving vessel. The few I've tried from small US breweries don't come close to the imports. That said, I thought I remember hearing Paulaner or Hacker-Pschorr was offering their beers in cans -- I know that they do (or have) in Germany.

 

We're starting to see Benediktiner around here in 4-packs of 16oz.cans. It's a solid Bavarian Helles, and a real bargain at $4.99.

 

Not a Helles, but Bitburger Pils comes in nice cans, is cheap and available all over (at least by me). Not a weird question at all. I remember seeing Paulaner I believe in the greatest container of all times- the liter can. Don't know if they are still around though.

 

Anyone know if Stoudt's Gold is available in cans? I've seen their Pils in cans several times but don't recall seeing Gold in cans, but Gold is hard to come by in Ohio these days anyway.

 

Haven't see the Gold in cans yet around here.

 

Sly Fox here in PA does a respectable Helles that is available in cans. How close it comes to your target thought is something only you will be able to decide.

http://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/1853/24283/

While Sly Fox doesn't distribute up into MA, they do have a footprint in NY and so if you happen to be making a trip south you might be able to find some.

Alternatively, you might check the Trading Forum for a PA BA willing to trade for some. Although I'm not a trader I'd expect that would be an easy one to set up.

 

Cigar City does a Helles inspired beer called Tampa Style Lager in 12oz cans

 

Sly Fox (Phoenixville, PA) makes a decent Helles.
Edit--somebody else said the same thing at the same time.

 

Frankenmuth Brewery here in Michigan does a seasonal Helles Lager in a can:

http://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/4861/95613/

 

Not a perfect match to your request, but Troegs cans Cultivator and it's pretty good.

http://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/694/111683/

 

I'm seconding this, and confirming I've seen this in Massachusetts and New Hampshire for the same price.
And its one of the better Munich Helles I've had to. The real deal.

 

Yeah, it's my most pleasant surprise at the stores recently.

 

The best by dates (assuming a year best by date) indicated that both of the batches we received in Boston were about a year old, including the Krostrizer cans. I tried the Bennediktiner cans and the one I had was bland in my opinion.

@tai4ji2x, we get Ballast Point Longfin Lager in cans. I like it a lot (not my favorite but quite enjoyable and sessionable at 4.5% abv).

The trick lately is finding it even remotely fresh. It gets buried among all of Ballast Points' Fruity Pebbles Line-Up.

 

Don't know if it will help you or not, but Southern Barrel does a very nice canned Helles Lager, but their distro is pretty limited. Also Gold Leaf Lager from Devil's Backbone...I have access to Southern Barrel, so BM me if you'd like some

 

At that price I was willing to take the chance, and so far I'm not getting signs of oxidation or honey from them. Comparing it to the Jack's Abby House Lager is illustrative, though, since I had them within a week of one another; ultimately JA just doesn't have that Bavarian character to it, as nice as it is.

Personally, I've always gone for the older import that has 'it' rather than the fresher domestic that doesn't.

As to the flavor, no it's not top tier imo, but certainly on Paulaner level. And there aren't too many other choices in cans, so it fits the bill for me.

 

Ole reliable by Wisconsin Brewing is a pretty good helles in a can.

 

I would agree with this for the most part.

I also didn't get any oxidation/honey, and it was clear as day (floaties in a style like a Helles/Pilsner is a clear indicator the import has seen its day, unless otherwise specified as unfiltered).

But that trademark sweetness (graham cracker, white bread...etc.) that really shines in the top imports simply wasn't there, or at least it wasn't prominent. We also could be receiving different batches, yours could be fresher. And I only sampled one can in between some other beers.

I also agree on the Jack's Abby House Lager. When I first had it in the 16.9 oz. single bottle upon it's initial release, I remember liking it and getting a lot more depth and sweetness from the malt profile. I tried a single of the new cans (and I've had the draft recently), and it simply isn't up to snuff compared to the imports or my favorite domestics. I also will always go for an older import as opposed to a fresher US version that isn't up to par.

While I really like Jack's Abby overall, I've noticed this inconsistency with their more subtle, less hoppy, lagers. Jabby Brau seemed to have solved that issue for awhile, then the last few I had were back to being inconsistent. Their Sunny Ridge isn't really up there either, but their Red Tape Lager I had this past year was fantastic. For comparison, the last few Hoponious Union's I've had were excellent. But I'm sure they have that one dialed in more than any other beer in their line-up.

 

http://www.slyfoxbeer.com/beer/helles-golden-lager

 

It's a pretty good drinker, but I feel it (unfortunately) misses the mark for a true Munich Helles.