Aecht Schlenkerla Helles Lagerbier

Brewed by Brauerei Heller
Style: Dortmunder/Helles
Bamberg, Bayern, Germany

I’m filled with nothing but regret and utter compunction for never having reviewed anything at all from the Schlenkerla Smoke Inhalation Series. I’ll get right on that. Let’s start off with the Helles Lagerbier! Appearance: Lightly hazy, pale copper body with a foamy, frothy, white head. Smell: Sweetish honey and toffee maltiness with only a background, though still obviously present note of smoke. Taste: Sweet maltiness, perhaps a pinch of crisp pilsner malt, along with flavors of toffee and clover honey. Hint of biscuits, maybe a bit of ripe peach fruitiness. Mild, spicy hops and bitterness along with the very restrained smoke character assist to balance the sweetness. Finishes crisp with a remaining light blend of smoke and sweetness. Mouthfeel: Medium-thin body. Medium-low carbonation. Drinkability: Well, that really was a breath of fresh air! Schlenkerla lite, I dare say. Overall, highly drinkable and a very good way to casually introduce yourself to Schlenkerla’s wares.

Wow. What a delightfully different smoked beer. Who would have thought that so much smoked flavor could be imparted simply by using smokey filters! Clear honey-straw color with good near white head. Aroma is grassy and lightly malty, not very smokey at all. That quality comes out in the flavor.

Sample @ Coles Octoberfest 2008, Buffalo NY. Very easy drinking clean lager. Pours a clear light golden color. Light floral & sweet malt aroma. Taste is clean & crisp with a subtle smokiness thats brings this beer to another level

Bottled@EBF 2008. Thin near-white head. Crystal clear, pure golden color. Delicate malt aroma supported by mild but distinct grassy and hayish hops, Notes of freshly baked bread. Taste is nice blend of noble hops and well rounded, light sweet malts. A noticabale smoke tone is lurking under. Healthy body. Malty with a fine bitterness in the ending. Tasty and elegant.

Bottle at EBF 2008, Copenhagen. Amber color, almost no off-white head. Aroma is sweetness anfd fruit. Flavor is sweet with only hints of smoke. Moderate bitterness.

Bottle. Pours clear gold with a white head. The aroma has grain, hemp/rope/burlap, and a hint of hops. The flavor is much more smoky than the aroma with hay, straw, and burap. Not nearly as good as their others.

Bottle from Carrboro Beverage Co. Pours golden with a thin whit head into my Spezial Brau Rauchbier mug. Nose is grass, herbs, smoke, a bit of sweetness. Flavor is similar to a golden/blonde ale with a bit of smokiness. Notes of lemon, hay, grass and leather amidst a subtle smokiness. Pretty good, but I like the marzen much better.

500 mL bottle from Market Street Wineshop Downtown Charlottesville. Golden color with a thin white head. Smoke dominates the aroma with some grassy notes. Taste is grassy with mild smoke notes. Medium bodied.