Aecht Schlenkerla Helles Lagerbier

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

Undated bottle from Belfast Co-op (I would guess it to be a fresh 2006 bottle) consumed on 4/15/06.
Full clarity, yet seemingly bottle conditioned? I don’t see any sediment, but the head is full, creamy, rocky and creates plenty of lacing. Strong retention. Pure, brilliant gold in color is the body, while the head is slightly off-white. Either it is bottle conditioned or it’s just extremely fresh and these guys are incredible at artificially carbonating their bottles.
Smells of lightly singed wood, touches of lightly grainy malts and a surprisingly low amount of yeast apparency. Touch of munich malts in the background perhaps, but it’s difficult to be sure in light of the smoke. Extremely clean and flawless. Light bacon, touch of spicy hops pop up with some moderate caramelized sweetness.
Effervescence swiftly carries sweet honey/pils-like malt notes about the palate upon first sip. Spicy hop notes tickle the sides of the tongue in conjunction with light smoked malt phenols. A hint of peachy-nectarine and a gentle reprise of soft honey on the end. I guess this is a smoked pils? Dosent seem much like a helles, as it would be overattenuated for that style and dosent have the yeast apparency or sourish munich malt notes. Whatever the hell it is, it’s absolutely stunningly-well brewed. Hops linger on, lengthening the spicy nature. Never a shade of thinning, even upon warming, and though the beer seems filtered, the mouthfeel has just enough residual dextrins to keep things lightly creamy and substantial. Moderate carbonation, perfect attenuation, smoke is not overdone for the size of the beer. Hops even seem to grow in flavor as the palate becomes accustomed to the smokiness. Head never falls below cover, with minor lace down the sides of the glass. I couldn’t help thinking about Russian River Redemption while drinking this one. Very similar beers (think smoke instead of brett).

500ml bottle (Utobeer, London) (as ’rauchlager’)
Slightly honey-like aroma, some smoke too. Smooth palate - soft but pleasant carbonation. Sweet soft body, slightly honeyey, and with gentle smokiness.

Bottle at Son of Sid Brewery, The Chequers, Little Gransden, Cambs’ 1st Beer Festival on 02-10-09 Pours mid gold with a white head. There is a definate smokiness to the nose. The taste is initially lagery with lager malts showing. Some grain but the smokiness is ever present. A7 A5 F7 P4 Ov14 3.7

bottle, thanks to MoritzF! Pale yellow, medium-sized head. The aroma is not smoky. However, in the taste the smokiness is clearly detectable. Starts rather smoky, the middle püart is smoky as well, the finish is dominated by hops. Not as full-bodied and smoky as other Schlenkerla beers, but still very very nice.

Bottle from beastiefan2k. Pours sparkling light yellow with spare white head, spare lacing. Aroma is average malt (bread), light hops (vegetables), average yeast (dough) with notes of smoke, ash and wood. Short duration, light sweetness and acidity, moderate bitterness; light smoked vegetable and wood flavor. Light bodied, watery texture, soft carbonation and a metallic finish.

Thanks to hopdog. Pours a translucent golden yellow with a smaller bubbly head. Aroma of a chipolta mexican dish, refried beans and a very light smoke. Flavor of the same a bit water and thin.

Bottle. Poured a small white head that mostly diminished, poor lacing, mostly transparent with a tiny bit of cloudiness, minimal carbonation, and a pale yellow hue. Nose was malty, bready, hint of hops and smoke. Flavor was dry, smokey and earthy. Tingly, dry and smokey mouthfeel. Light-medium body.

Bottle. Finally this has arrived!!! Pours gold with a small white head. Nose is smoky but restrained. Nice grassy notes, light biscuit, buttery aromas, and mild hoppiness. Taste is smoky as well but it’s a relaxed smoke profile. Burnt buttered biscuits, light grass or straw, bit of hops, faint lemony citrus, and light meat notes. Body is light and spritzy. Moderate feel with bubbly carbonation. Finishes with a bit more grass and lemon zest, light bready notes, smoked meats and buttery flavors. Very nice!