Andechser Spezial Hell

Brewed by Klosterbrauerei Andechs
Style: Dortmunder/Helles
Andechs, Germany

Serve in Lager glass

[ASPETTO] color oro, limpida [SCHIUMA] bianca, media presenza, compatta e media persistenza [ OLFATTO ] bassa intensità, crosta di pane, un leggero erbaceo [GUSTO] base di malto, che infonde un leggero dolce iniziale; sul finale compare un altrettando leggero amaro, erbaceo , che lascia una sensazione secca . Retrogusto evanescente [TEXTURE] corpo basso, watery, buona carbonazione, percezione alcolica minima [COMMENTO FINALE] tipica lager tedesca, nella media , comunque piacevole e ben fatta. Sapori e odori molto tenui, per un prodotto da bere senza pensare troppo e in quantità.

The Germans are known for many things, but surely chief among them is an exacting, disciplined focus on technical pursuits. Whether it is home do-it-yourself stores, like Bauhaus or automobiles, but BMW cannot claim a monopoly on such successes. One needs look only a half an hour west of the ultimate driving machine’s distinct headquarters to find a band of monks doing the lord’s work by marrying German precision with beer. The Andechs special helles is poured from the tap of from the 0.5 liter bottle, into a half-liter stein. It pours a pale straw, a beautiful light golden hue, crystal clear with a healthy, mouth wateringly inviting head. Grains and honey, with just a hint of flowers, waft from the mug. Fairly middle-ground with a neutral kick of grassy, grainy, hoppy deliciousness. A deep pull of the beer offers a slightly spicy (by German standards) bitterness and a crisp, sweet finish. It leaves you to be surprised by its delicious taste as it rolls in the mouth lightly and refreshingly. Utter beauty, this is by far the most drinkable and delicious of helles lagers I ever have tasted. The carbonation livens up the palate along with the smooth highly drinkable consistency that makes this such a special beer. This is, by far, my all-time favorite for this category and definitely worth a special delivery from the Kloster Andechs just to get this beer in my home in the Hessen’s Odenwald. This is a beer you can spend a summer day drinking by the maß (mass is a 1.0 liter mug). This excellent beer (Bier) is more than just the mere components, it is perfectly balanced, expertly tuned and a shining example of craftsmanship. This simply is one of the best beers in a country skilled in the art of brewing. It is no less than delicious perfection and is consider to be compared, to be the epitome of Germany as a hot apple pie is an American icon. Das Andechser Spezial Hell, das bekannte Festbier aus dem Andechser Bräustüberl, steht in leuchtend hellem Gold im Glas. Sein glanzklares Aussehen und der stabile und feinporige Schaum korrespondiert mit einem frischen und reinen Geruch. Malzaromatische Aromanoten stehen dabei im Vordergrund. Das Spezial Hell ist angenehm spritzig und überzeugt durch einen vollen und runden Malzkörper. Der weiche Geschmack ist gekennzeichnet von ausgewogenen süßen und hopfenbitteren Nuancen. Im Abgang folgen ebenso weiche Malzaromen - ein klassisches Festbier altbayrischer Brauart (13,5 Gewichtsprozent Stammwürze und 5,8 Volumenprozent Alkohol).

Bottle @ Dan’s, thanks to doodler. Thank you so much! A touch hazy, yellow appearance with a white head. Nice grainy, grassy, straw, malty flavor. Really nice straw, grassy, hay, grainy pale malty flavor. Nice!

Bottle 500ml. Color yellow with medium white head. Aroma sweet, malt, yeast. Taste sweet, bitter, grain.

Assaggiata alla spina. Colore chiaro ceruleo, schiuma di media persistenza. Birra di facile beva anche per il non elevato tasso alcolico. Forti sentori di malto accompagnano il classico sapore delle hells.

Bottle @ Clockwork Brewpub. Clear golden oclour, whtie head. Nose is malty and grassy. Flavour is light malts, grassy, bit of caraeml. Crisp and dry.

UPDATED: DEC 13, 2011 Bottle @ Clockwork Beer Co. Light refreshing grassy aroma. Pale yellow colour, reasonable head. Sharp cereal grain flavour. Smooth finish. Quite good.

Draught @ the kloster:: Pristine golden. Broken foam sustains a fine white ring. Unattractive nose of cheese curd, diacetyl, lightly scorched hay, and papery malt. Considerably alcoholic and sulfuric, as well. Stiff carbonation distributes a foamy residue across the tongue. Grainy malt is immediately dispersed by a mild twang of cheese curd. Floral hops vie for attention amongst pils malt which is wonderfully lush and rich in melanoidins, albeit on the grainy side. Peculiar soured fruitiness awkwardly exudes in the center as the muddled and vaguely defined malt takes on a wet hay character. Hops briefly reemerge sporting a floral, fresh melon quality along with some faint spice which dovetails with an enlivening zip of minerals. Reverts back to where it started with fuzzy, grainy malt and trace DMS prevailing over scant hop bitterness and distant melon in the finish. I remain mystified as to what’s happening at Andechs, but evidently something is amiss...