Von Trapp (2020)

Discussion in 'New England' started by guinness77, Apr 28, 2020.

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  1. guinness77

    guinness77 Grand Pooh-Bah (3,554) Jan 6, 2014 New York
    Pooh-Bah

    I’m surprised there isn’t a thread for them for this year yet and I hate to start a brewery thread by asking a question but here goes....

    Local to me has VT cans. I’m obviously stoked but I’m not rich and with times the way they are right now I’m trying not to spend too much on beer. I’m gonna get a 4-pack of ZG Green State Lager, that’s a given, I love that pilsner but they have VT Bohemian Pils, Helles Lager and Keller Lager.

    I think I’m gonna splurge and get two of them. Normally I’d be all over the Keller, but the reviews kinda scare me. It sounds like it may be too hoppy. Which 2 6-packs should I get in your opinions? I’m looking more for traditional renditions of the style.
     
    #1 guinness77, Apr 28, 2020
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  2. GeauxTigers13

    GeauxTigers13 Initiate (0) Apr 30, 2019 Maine

    I picked up a sixer of the Dunkel this weekend and naturally drank all but one of them. It's that good.
     
    #2 GeauxTigers13, Apr 28, 2020
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  3. GeauxTigers13

    GeauxTigers13 Initiate (0) Apr 30, 2019 Maine

    And of course I missed your question entirely - I would recommend the Bohemian & Keller in that order. You won't be disappointed!
     
    #3 GeauxTigers13, Apr 28, 2020
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  4. guinness77

    guinness77 Grand Pooh-Bah (3,554) Jan 6, 2014 New York
    Pooh-Bah

    Haha, that’s where I was gonna go. I saw so many recommendations for the Helles in last year’s thread and the somewhat iffy reviews for the Keller it was changing my mind.
     
    #4 guinness77, Apr 28, 2020
  5. followerofmen

    followerofmen Crusader (439) Sep 9, 2012 Massachusetts

    Oh, they're all good. I love Von Trapp. Given that I don't have easy access to Notch products, they (and Jack's Abby) are my 2 most reliable lager producers in the area. I really liked the Keller, and I really like the Helles. I say grab any 2, and come back for the 3rd when you can afford it.
     
    #5 followerofmen, Apr 28, 2020
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  6. Sheppard

    Sheppard Grand Pooh-Bah (3,516) Mar 16, 2013 Massachusetts
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Get the Helles. The Keller is good, but much more hop forward than I had anticipated. If that's not your thing, then you might not like it. I honestly haven't had the pilsner in a while. I just remember not being the biggest fan versus other options.
     
    #6 Sheppard, Apr 28, 2020
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  7. kinopio

    kinopio Savant (1,037) Apr 30, 2009 Massachusetts

    I didn’t love the Keller. Quite hoppy. I don’t remember the packaging suggesting that it would be hoppy either.
     
    #7 kinopio, Apr 28, 2020
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  8. AlcahueteJ

    AlcahueteJ Grand Pooh-Bah (3,242) Dec 4, 2004 Massachusetts
    Society Pooh-Bah

    If you're looking for more traditional, I would say the Helles. Wasn't really a fan of the Keller (then again I'm not a big fan of Von Trapp overall).

    And the Bohemian Pils is too strong to be traditional (see Notch's portfolio of Czech Pale Lagers).

    Love the Green State Lager though. Von Trapp's Helles is one of their better offerings in my opinion (albeit not even close to my favorite US brewed Helles). I'd double down on the Green State and pick up one six pack of the Helles. :wink:

    Exactly.

    I would say overall Von Trapp does a better job with their darker offerings than their paler offerings (such as Trosten and Dunkel).

    If you ever venture over to the Germany forums, I'm not alone on this.
     
    #8 AlcahueteJ, Apr 28, 2020
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  9. Sheppard

    Sheppard Grand Pooh-Bah (3,516) Mar 16, 2013 Massachusetts
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    What is your favorite US brewed Helles?
    Trösten is the best beer they make, IMO. I regret not getting more every single year. They released a Maple Rauchbier, which I haven't seen make it down here. A little disappointing since I would have loved to try it.
     
    #9 Sheppard, Apr 28, 2020
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  10. soheadyithurts

    soheadyithurts Zealot (551) Jan 4, 2013 Massachusetts

    Helles 12pk are a consistent buy for me
     
    #10 soheadyithurts, Apr 28, 2020
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  11. SunDevilBeer

    SunDevilBeer Pooh-Bah (1,945) May 9, 2003 Massachusetts
    Pooh-Bah

    My favorite offering is their mix 12-pack which unfortunately we see too sporadically around the Boston area. Not really a fan of their IPL though, Jacks Abby's various hoppy lagers are far superior.

    Agree with previous posters re their darker offerings, they're great. But I'm also really an unabashed fanboy of the Helles and Vienna Lager.
     
    #11 SunDevilBeer, Apr 28, 2020
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  12. guinness77

    guinness77 Grand Pooh-Bah (3,554) Jan 6, 2014 New York
    Pooh-Bah

    I don’t really do the dunkels, but they do have that too. Maybe I’ll go with Helles and the dunkel, haha, the 2 I wasn’t gonna get. Definitely gonna check the dates, also. Thanks for advice all.

    Same store has JA Shipping Out of Boston too but I wasn’t gonna get that out of stubborn principle (ie discontinuing the other Shipping Out of Boston, I absolutely loved the kellerbier).
     
    #12 guinness77, Apr 28, 2020
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  13. AlcahueteJ

    AlcahueteJ Grand Pooh-Bah (3,242) Dec 4, 2004 Massachusetts
    Society Pooh-Bah

    Oof, great question. I'm trying to think, because honestly there aren't a ton out there, at least available to me.

    I like Bissell Brother's Lucent a lot. They modeled it after Voll Projekt's (Notch) Helles Spezial. Helles Spezial is another favorite, granted it's a bit amped up being an Export strength Helles.

    I used to really dig Southern Tier's "When the Helles Summer?" but I haven't seen that in a long time.

    Beyond that I can't think of any off the top of my head. Typically if I have a hankering I just try to find a fresh import. I highly recommend having fresh Helles in Munich of course. Just order it wherever, it'll be good.

    We all have different palates obviously. Why not just pick up the Helles and the Pilsner? I would say the Keller too, but it seems there's enough negative commentary to deter you. Also, the Keller came out awhile ago, so I'd be worried about freshness.

    More beer is better right now, not like we're going out anytime soon...
     
    #13 AlcahueteJ, Apr 28, 2020
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  14. guinness77

    guinness77 Grand Pooh-Bah (3,554) Jan 6, 2014 New York
    Pooh-Bah

    I work for mass transit so I’m still working, unfortunately. My bartending gig, on the side, is on hiatus though for the time being so I do get a full weekend now. But, it IS always better to have more beer.
     
    #14 guinness77, Apr 28, 2020
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  15. meefmoff

    meefmoff Pooh-Bah (1,922) Jul 6, 2014 Massachusetts
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    I'll join the chorus of those saying the keller didn't really work for me so that one definitely seems divisive.

    I really enjoy their Dunkel, Trosten, Helles and Vienna Lager though so any of those would be my personal rec. And yeah, like SunDevil said they really have one of the better variety 12 packs out there if you can find it - especially if you're shopping on a budget.
     
    #15 meefmoff, Apr 28, 2020
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  16. LiPhan

    LiPhan Initiate (188) Feb 27, 2011 Massachusetts

    Agreed. I am constantly on the hunt for the mix pack.
     
    #16 LiPhan, May 1, 2020
  17. bleakies

    bleakies Maven (1,355) Apr 11, 2011 Massachusetts

    Their darks are my faves as well, and I'd be delighted to stumble across some of Von Trapp's Bock Bier but these are interesting times.
     
    #17 bleakies, May 1, 2020
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  18. Givemebeer

    Givemebeer Savant (1,219) Apr 6, 2013 Vermont

    What’s pretty cool is that they utilize a decoration mash. Their brewery is massive.

    my favorites have always been the gelled and Vienna. They carbonate the &@$! Out of their beer, which is nice for the styles they do.
     
    #18 Givemebeer, May 1, 2020
  19. jbertsch

    jbertsch Pooh-Bah (2,874) Dec 14, 2008 Massachusetts
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    It's a beautiful decoration mash :slight_smile:
     
    #19 jbertsch, May 2, 2020
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  20. AlcahueteJ

    AlcahueteJ Grand Pooh-Bah (3,242) Dec 4, 2004 Massachusetts
    Society Pooh-Bah

    They do? For all of their beers?
     
    #20 AlcahueteJ, May 2, 2020
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