Hofbräu München Original

Brewed by Staatliches Hofbräuhaus München
Style: Dortmunder/Helles
Munich, Germany

Serve in Lager glass

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This is probably one of the worst examples of German beer I've had recently and the fact that it was a freebee from the store owner where I bought a case of good beers from didn't help any. It was probably old to begin with and so this may not be a fair review but then few have given it a decent rating here. Looks promising in trhe glass but the flavor is not of a good lager. Kind of flat tasting with little character. Almost reminds me of some basic American lagers in that respect. Slightly bitter and with an unpleasant aftertaste.

This is one of those beers I kept failing to buy because I thought I'd had it already. Now I'm regretting buying it. Pretty crisp and dry and not the sort of stuff I like to drink at all. Fairly bitter, which bums me out a bit, but is true to the helles style. I taste no sweetness here.

Seems that I agree with marinaro500 on this one. What poured out of my bottle was a little disappointing after having read other people's ratings: transparent golden color, thin head, and just enough taste... Not bad, but rather unimpressive.

I know for a fact that this is much, much better on tap, but here are my bottle ratings: Yellow and bubbly with the thinnest white head. Light honey and wheat bread aroma. Dries out after a honey, weedy, sweet crisp taste.

Tap. Looked and tasted rather clear. Not much going on in this beer and reminded me of Becks. Not enough flavour for my liking but it does go down rther easy, much like water.

Straw coloured with a light hoppy mouth feel. A slight sweetness that is not overpowering but on the down side it could be described as a little thin and watery. Despite these criticisms I found it a pleasant drink.

Pale golden colour, rocky head that disappears soon. Light hoppy aroma with malty notes. Refreshing flavour, just a few malty sweetness, a lot watery. Light bitterness in the aftertaste. Actually too much one dimensional. I used to drink lots of litres since this was one of the beers on tap in my favourite pub...luckily 6 months ago they changed from HB to Spaten Premium, which is much better and tasty.

Pale. Almost no head. Faint carbonation. Somewhat thick mouthfeel. Front is sweet and malty and just a tad doughy/yeasty. Malts give way to some hop bitterness in the finish. I have good memories of drinking this in Munich but this definitely doesn't live up to them. Either oompa bands are an essential flavor component to HB brews or the bottled stuff we get in the states just isn't up to snuff. Would be much better if not for some metallic and cardboard overtones.

This is the stuff they feed the tourists by the liter in the Hofbräuhaus in Munich, isn’t it. Quick, weak taste (like apple juice), short hop end, and an oily texture. Smells like wet paper.

I was really disappointed by this beer, after reading the other ratings I might have to drink it again though. Bubblegum like, sweet citrusy flowery nose. Reminds me a lot of Hubba Bubba citrus. Golden, no head. Faked short biter kick, that’s it. Thin and watery.