Sixpoint: Alpenflo Helles Lager

Jack - when is the last time you brewed a Helles at home?

 

Shane, I have never brewed a Helles at home. Frankly I am very pleased with the locally brewed Helles beers: Sly Fox, Stoudts, Victory, etc. I never saw the sense of homebrewing this style since they are readily (and economically) available to me.

So, my lagers so far this season are:

· Tmavý Ležák (Czech Dark Lager)

· Bohemian Pilsner

· 1896 Michelob

· Classic American Pilsner

So, for the most part I homebrew lagers that are not readily available for purchase. I suppose it could be argued that Bohemian Pilsners are available but for the case of imported beers, freshness is always a concern.

Spoiler alert: I will be discussing Bohemian Pilsner beers this Sunday in the NBS thread and I will tag you.

I have a Kolsch that is in the primary fermentation stage right now. At a high level this beer is not too dissimilar from a Helles. What the Kolsch and Helles have in common are:

· A prominent Continental Pilsner malt aroma/flavor

· Low/moderate hopping

· A nice dry finish

What does distinguish my Kolsch from a Helles is that the yeast strain I use (Wyeast 2565) along with my fermentation conditions (a fermentation temperature of around 60 degrees F) will produce a very subtle, but noticeable, ester which reminds me of a white wine flavor. For the Kolsch I brew the dominant flavor by far is from the German Pilsner malt but I do enjoy the very subtle ester that Wyeast 2565 will produce. From my perspective this yields a subtle yet complex beer.

If I ever see your Helles on draft I will make it a priority to drink a pint (probably two). I have enjoyed the other Sixpoint beers you and your team produce and I have no reason to doubt that I will enjoy the Sixpoint Helles as well.

Permit me to thank you for making the effort to produce another lager as part of your product portfolio. As you adeptly pointed out, I am a ‘lagerphile’ so the fact that you decided to produce another quality lager is something I appreciate.

Cheers!

 

Jack,

did you notice any sulfur production during primary fermentation with Wyeast 2565?

cheers

 

No, I didn't.

I do notice sulfur when fermenting with some lager yeast strains.

My fermentation space is a utility room in my basement. When fermenting a lager (with certain strains) that room stinks. When fermenting hoppy beers (e.g., IPAs) that room smells glorious!!

Cheers!

 

Ha, yes that was intentional word play. Figured I would use it to show some humor and fun in my reply.

Happy to host you and your team at our brewery! Reach out when you have plans to head up to Boston.

Cheers,
Rob

 

Awesome man. We'll do that.

 

Maybe post your review in an upcoming New Beer Sunday thread as well?

Cheers!

 

Welcome to the community!!

Cheers!

 

So the other night I ended up crushing another three of these bad boys... My opinion still stands after another day and experience with this beer. Putting this beer in a stein just elevates it's epicness. I highly recommend it. Will be stopping by two stores after work today to try and locate two more packs of this beer for myself... Have plenty of fridge space available for this one.

 

Had the first one yesterday and I was wowed by it. My opinion hasn’t changed. My new local brewery (Wooly Pig) is owned and operated by Kevin Ely, the former head brewer at Uinta, and he has a Helles in his year round line up of Northern Bavarian style lagers. This one has a little more body, flavor depth, and a better finish than his, which I like.

It is crisp up front with a touch of sweetness followed by just a bit of floral hops that quickly transitions to bready malts. A lot of grain on the back end with a little lingering. Fantastic amount and balance of sweetness and bitterness It finishes very dry and clean. I know that they are supposed to be lively bodied and it is. Maybe just a hair too much carbonation for me personally, but that would be my only semi negative aspect. This tastes like an authentic German made lager and it is a world class representation of the style to me. Probably around 4.75 on this scoring system. Great work! Nice to see a brewery making a new beer that is actually beer.

 

um... I guess I gotta try it now!..... not a style I typically go to.. but after reading this comment/review I shall try!

 

Can confirm it has gone out for full distribution in MA.

 

How about PA? Looking forward to it.

 

Yes, you folks in PA have it as well. cheers

 

@Sixpoint, I would love to try this beer. Haven't found any yet in SW Ohio... any idea when it will be in this area?

 

Wisconsin?

 

I too am anxiously awaiting the answer to this question. Big Helles fan. I recently had an Andechser Vollbier Hell, which was simply fantastic, and I would be interested to compare. Plus I am soon leaving WI for a state outside the Sixpoint footprint, so this is my last chance. I looked at my local Woodman's yesterday and didn't see it.

Not sure I am using Sixpoint finder correctly, but it seemed to say that it's not in Wisconsin yet.