Hell - Surly Brewing Company

oline73

Maryland

3.48/5  rDev -10.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

I had this on-tap at the Twin's stadium. Served in a big plastic cup.

Appearance: Pours a clear golden amber color with a layer of off white head. The head fades to a ring around the pour.

Smell: A mild malt sweetness with some fruity notes. Nothing particularly special.

Taste: A touch of sweet pils like malt. Mild fruit and grain. The finish reminds me of a pilsner, just a touch herbal.

Mouthfeel: Medium body with just enough carbonation and a dry finish.

Overall: I don't think this beer stands out like several of Surly's other offerings. I'm glad I tried it, but I'd probably pass in the future.

Serving type: on-tap

10-06-2012 21:36:30 | More by oline73

ElGordo

Oregon

3.93/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Found on tap at Bailey's Taproom. Body is a bright golden color, rather still and without much head. Crisp, slightly sweet malt on the nose, with a decidedly bready character. Palate is crisp with a slight tang, I'm never sure how to describe it, but it's a telltale marker of the Helles style. Notes of light fruit, bready malt, and mildly fruity hops are present as well. Body is light and airy, although some more carbonation would not be a bad addition. A decent beer for the start of an evening in late summer, that's for sure.

Serving type: on-tap

08-10-2011 00:17:43 | More by ElGordo

BeardedBoffin

Minnesota

4/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Hell on Tap. The beer arrived a dark golden-yellowish color with minimal white foam. A tad more foam could have improved the appearance. The aroma is is pale malt along with some sweet bread. A touch of earthy hops are detectable.

Lots of old-time bready sweetness on the palate mixed. The grain is surprisingly smooth as it goes down. The slightest kiss of hops at the end provides balance. I could (and did) drink this all night.

Serving type: on-tap

07-04-2011 18:06:39 | More by BeardedBoffin

mynie

Indiana

3.6/5  rDev -7.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Unfortunately this is a straight-up Helles, not a Zwickel. Not that Helles are bad; they're just not Zwickels.

This is a very well-brewed Helles. It's like and spritely but still a little sweet, a little bitter, and plenty flavorful.

Thing is, Helleses ain't the most flavorful of beers, so even a really well-made Helles ain't gonna light up the BA scoreboard. Normally this is where Surly shines--they take an old, boring style and tweak it just enough so it's still identifiably of that style but it's different, better, more adventurous.

This is just a regular ol' Helles. It's well-brewed, like I said, but you could have told me it had come from any other competent brewer and I would have believed you.

Serving type: on-tap

05-30-2011 18:06:14 | More by mynie

EwaldEichstaett

Jordan

4.55/5  rDev +16.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

A: Got a pint on tap, great looking pour. Nice color and carbonation. Foam remains on the top of the beer throughout. Foamy side of the glass when finished.

S: Malty smell a little bit like bread. There is something a bit sour about the smell as well.

T: Malts are the predominant flavor- this is a (Hell)es of course. The sour taste is present, although it is not strong or unpleasant. think it adds a bit of character to the brew. Nice bit of hop presence at the end.

M: Nice and thick feel in the mouth, decent carbonation. This is a lager beer that makes you actually feel like you are drinking something.

Supremely drinkable!

Serving type: on-tap

08-03-2010 18:10:14 | More by EwaldEichstaett

sonata2008

Minnesota

2.93/5  rDev -24.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A: Served in a 16 oz. pint glass. The color was a clear pale straw with a thin head.
S: Very faint hops, no malt aroma.
T: Not much maltiness to speak of, a slight sweetness. There is a hop bitterness and a somewhat unpleasant aftertaste.
M: Very thin mouth feel.
D: Not much at the temperature it was served at.

This is very disappointing coming from Surly. This is the second time I have had this beer, at a different location this time around, so no mistake in getting the order right. It reminded me of Japanese beer. Perhaps if it were chilled to ~34F it would be more palatable.

Serving type: on-tap

08-01-2010 01:13:26 | More by sonata2008

Thorpe429

Illinois

4.1/5  rDev +5.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

On tap at the Bavarian Lodge back in November 2009.

Pours a nice straw color with a bit of unfiltered haze. A nice finger-and-a-half of white head with nice legs as it retreats. Smell has a pilsner, grainy sweetness with an ever-so-slight hop presence. A bit grassy with hints of herbal earth. Taste is very similar with a tiny amount of spice thrown in there. Mouthfeel is light with a nice crispness. Very drinkable; reminds me yet again why I need to always have more Surly.

Serving type: on-tap

02-17-2010 15:53:03 | More by Thorpe429

brow1901

Minnesota

4.13/5  rDev +5.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A- Nice slightly hazy pale straw yellow with a big white pillow of foam at the top. The head loses some of its size but sticks around for the most part. Good lacing.

S- Fresh and clean hops. Nice and simple pilsner type malt scents. Alot more hops than I antisipated.

T- Crisp and clean hop spiciness, pretty powerful actually. It doesn't overpower the beer but it is really pronounced. Nice typical lager flavors, really goes nice with the hops.

M- Light, smooth in the mouth. Leaves the mouth a little wet. Perfect beer for a hot day.

D- Very drinkable, really this should be called surly session. I really liked this beer more than I thought I would, one of the best lagers I've had.

Serving type: on-tap

10-08-2009 18:18:37 | More by brow1901

cokes

Wisconsin

3.03/5  rDev -22.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Lightly hazed yellow bodied with traces of white lace on top.
Doughy aroma spiked with peppery hops and crushed pill astringency.
Doughy again on its onset in the mouth. Wet bready and generally bland. More bread and more wet and more bland as it rests a while with no real lagered clarity. Hops bring herbs, florals, and, especially astringency, in a smashed Tylenol sense, twisted with lemon.
Doughy, wet, fatty, and plump through the gullet with no relief from the stunted CO2.
The astringency prevents an otherwise pedestrian brew from achieving its goals. If they tried to hop it up, it failed. If they're looking for mass appeal, look again.
This just isn't very good.

Serving type: on-tap

10-06-2009 06:29:13 | More by cokes

kruse

Minnesota

4.43/5  rDev +13.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Had on tap at my local.

Golden with a nice white head.

Lovely hop aroma with substantial fruitiness.

Good hoppy flavor, but not overpowering. Some flavor from the grain, but could have been a bit more pronounced.

Decent mouthfeel.

Overall a very drinkable and refreshing beer. Good for a summer afternoon.

Serving type: on-tap

09-23-2009 16:32:10 | More by kruse

brentk56

North Carolina

4.25/5  rDev +9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Appearance: Arrives at the bar with a clear golden color and a modest head that leaves the occasional splash

Smell: Crisp and grainy, with a hint of tart lemon

Taste: Opens bready with a quick detour to lemony herbaciousness; after the swallow, there is a lemon pound cake aspect that combines the sweet malt with the bitter lemon flavors

Mouthfeel: Light to medium body with crisp carbonation

Drinkability: Who would have thought a light lager could pack this much flavor? Surly did.

Serving type: on-tap

09-22-2009 01:12:10 | More by brentk56

ChopperSmith

Minnesota

3.98/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from the tap at the Triple Rock Social Club in Minneapolis into a Surly pint glass.

Appearance: Slightly hazy deep golden, almost amber, color with a nice white foamy head that didn't last long, but left a little lacing behind.

Smell: Malty goodness with some floral hops mixed in. Slight citrus notes. Nice.

Taste: Slight sweet, but dry, floral hops flavors up front. Tasty sweet malts in the middle and a good bitterness on the tounge for the finish. Nothing overpowering, a great balance.

Mouth feel: A fair amount of carbonation but nothing that distracts from the crisp flavors. Light to medium body.

Drinkability: HELL yeah! This is a damn tasty beer with a moderate ABV and a crisp clean taste that makes it very easy to do a session with. I had a few off the tap and they went down very easily.

Serving type: on-tap

09-01-2009 23:29:59 | More by ChopperSmith

younger35

Minnesota

4.1/5  rDev +5.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Had a pint of this at Bavarian Lodge on Friday while enjoying some tasty ass potato pancakes. I went specifically to drink as much Coffee Bender as I could fit in my belly but thought I better start with this. Drank from a normal ol' pint glass.

Appearance- Pours a light yellowish orange with excellent clarity and a nice half finger bright white head. Lots of fizzy bubbles permeate throughout maintaining a nice cap and collar that leave some spotty lacing.
Smell- Has a very light grainy sweetness that seems par for the course. Very light floral aspect and soft fruity peach skin. Pretty much exactly what you'd expect a light lager to smell like, inoffensive and fairly neutral.
Taste- Much like the nose it's very crisp and clean. Lightly sweet and bready with a bit of raw graininess and malty bite. The hops do come into play with a grassy start and slightly (stress, slightly) citric finish. The slight bitterness continues into the finish with a some yeasty tones.
Mouthfeel- After seeing all the bubbles fizzing throughout the beer it's surprisingly lightly carbonated. Smooth and clean and super refreshing.
Drinkability- Great! Nice easy drinking lager that does manage to not be totally lame and bland. Nice and malty with the slightest kiss of hops that I really enjoyed. It was very drinkable and could easily be sessioned for hours and hours. Without getting crucified for blasphemy, this would be an EXCELLENT beer for Sunday morning bloody beers. Tasty football beer that accompanied my potato pancakes wonderfully.

Serving type: on-tap

11-10-2008 16:13:27 | More by younger35

Pitmonkey

Minnesota

4.5/5  rDev +15.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Hell? Hell yes!

That is damned good beer.

Kellerbier, Munich Helles, German light lager... whatever... this is what American lagers should be like.

Mine was surprisingly clear for an unfiltered beer, no haze and no floaties but the light wasn't the best so maybe there was a light haze I wasn't able to see. It looked yellow and clear to me. Head was thin but persisted on glass as the beer went down.

Primary smell was grain.

Taste was sweet and... you got it, grain, malt yum. Smooth, finishes with hints of bitterness at the corners of the tongue. Reminds me of a legendary local lager only better.

Lightly carbonated, light, refreshing but a lot of flavor and balance.

Did it knock me over with flavor? No, but I didn't really expect it to. It was malty, balanced and refreshing. I am sad that is likely the only glass I will get but I'm glad I searched 5 places for it.

Serving type: on-tap

09-18-2008 04:54:08 | More by Pitmonkey

thathockeyguy

Minnesota

3.5/5  rDev -10.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

On tap at Grumpy's in Northeast Minneapolis

Appearance is a very nice hazy yellow with a thin white head.

Smell is sweet and grainy, not offensive, but not inviting either.

The taste is sweet and malty all the way through.

The mouthfeel is pleasant, good carbonation.

The drinkability of this beer is high. It is a beer that I would consider "lawnmower beer", meaning that it could be drank to quench thirst on a warm day or after a bit of vigorous activity. It is not a style of beer that I drink that often, but I will gladly recommend to fans of American lagers that are ready to try something different and more complex.

Serving type: on-tap

09-12-2008 23:19:50 | More by thathockeyguy

Duffman

Minnesota

4.13/5  rDev +5.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

On tap at Cafe Twenty Eight

Pours a wonderful golden hue with an almost orange touch to it. Looks brilliant with a nice head straight off. A nice fragrant bouquet of floral and fruity notes with a almost grassy overtone. Tastes wonderful. Peach and pear are predominant tones. A nice restrained bitterness from the hops and great flavor from the malted barley as well. Some sweet honeyed notes trickle in too. A nice mouthfeel, crisp and light but with a nice firmness to it. As others have noted before me it is ridiculously drinkable. You really could have this one all day and get in many pints before you even realized it. Wonderfully smooth and drinkable. A fantastic summer, or really anytime beer that is yet another hit from surly. I'll be sure to catch as much hell as I can before it's gone in not too long. Lovely.

Serving type: on-tap

08-29-2008 00:05:52 | More by Duffman

esch

Minnesota

4.43/5  rDev +13.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A: Brilliant clarity, dark straw color. Almost no head to speak of. 2mm compact off-white bubbles ring the glass.

S: Very grainy. Malt is dominant but still not overwhelming. Hints of hop aroma, honey-like... Some DMS.

T: Grainy-sweet. The first thing I think of is Honey Comb Cereal. Again, only the vaguest hop contribution. Malt sweetness is countered mid-palate by just enough bitterness to keep the malt in check. Finish is quite even, perfect balance of sweet and bitter; leaving the palate clean with the aftertaste of pils malts.

M: Medium body. A bit more than I expected. Medium carbonation. No alcohol heat, astringency or creaminess.

D/O: If Mild didn't, this should shut the Surly critics up pretty quickly. While it's not something I'd expect to see as a year-round, this is a knockout session lager. Proving once and for all that Omar, Todd and crew can produce solid beers from 100 IBU IPAs to century old German recipes.

Serving type: on-tap

08-28-2008 04:05:27 | More by esch

feloniousmonk

Minnesota

4.33/5  rDev +11%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

"Surly Hell is brewed in the style of a German Light Lager or Munich Helles. Pale Yellow in color, this unfiltered lager or "kellerbier" is brewed with Pilsen and Carahell malt, Opal hops and a German yeast strain. Delicate malt flavor finishing with a tart crispness. 15 IBU.

Hazy straw yellow, big, lovely white head...
Beautiful aromatics, floral, herbal,...a trifle grainy...but altogether pleasing.

to drink: bing: there's the smooth. Bang: there's the malt, and Boom:...there's no Boom...just the smooth and the malt, and some light hops, plus the deliciousness of the yeast.

Disclosure: To those who don't know already, I'm not a lager lover. Just not enough flavor. I'm partial to unfiltered brews, as well. Like Belgian ales, some German ales, certain Americans...like Surly...wait, Surly made a
German lager...and it's unfiltered? Sign me up...wait, I'm already drinking it...oh, okay...

I do like kellerbiers, when I find them. Can't think of one I haven't liked. Kep that yeast in, please! More flavor, por favor!

And here I am drinking Hell (a name I wish they'd saved for an abbey ale, or something, but I'm not charge, am I?)...and I am enjoying it. If this had zero yeast in it, I probably would report the doldrums by now, but there's just enough going on in the mouth to keep my tastebuds happy.

Drinking this sample from a tall Schneider Edel-Weisse glass. Seemed appropriate.


clean, yet fully flavored. You can hand this to a lager-lover and win them over, I think. Hey, it worked with me!

Serving type: on-tap

08-26-2008 00:50:19 | More by feloniousmonk

mwilbur

Minnesota

3.85/5  rDev -1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured from 16 oz can into pilsner glass.
A: Pours a clear pale yellow with high carbonation producing a 1/2 inch white bubbly head. Good retention.
S: Soft and sweet malt notes, toasted grains and bread, hint of pepper and funk...and something akin to 7UP.
T: Gently sweet malt, toasted grains, and soft citrus hops in the distant background.
M: Light body. Mild effervescence from the carbonation.
D: A solid example of style. A wonderfully sessionable brew.

Serving type: can

05-16-2013 03:28:58 | More by mwilbur

Powderhornphil

Minnesota

3.9/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

Decided to go with Surly Hell on the first 90 plus degree day in MN of the year.

Not my usual style, but it is tasring pretty good today. Sessionable.

Pours light golden with a slight haze.

Smells crisp, slight breadyness. Some citrus.

Crisp mouthfeel. Quite easy drinking.

Nice change of pace for me and a great example of the style.

Serving type: can

05-15-2013 00:29:57 | More by Powderhornphil

BigBry

Alberta (Canada)

3.96/5  rDev +1.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

Four pack of tall cans, brought back from my last trip to Minnesota, love the Surly and more cans for the collection.
Pours a straw yellow color, slight bit of unfiltered haze. Golden liquid is topped by half an inch of white head. Smell has a slight, grainy sweetness with just enough hop presence. Grassy and a bit herbal. Taste is very similar to the aroma, no suprises, just a crisp refreshing beer. Mouthfeel is light, crisp, dry-ish finish. Very drinkable, would pair well with most meals, and still great on its own.

Serving type: can

04-12-2013 21:51:40 | More by BigBry

iabeerbaron

Iowa

3.33/5  rDev -14.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25

The style of this beer isn’t one that is often talked about currently. IPAs, barrel-aged, sours, are dominating headlines with most craft beer drinkers but if you want to try different styles and try them when they are done right, I think Surly can be proud of this beer. This could also quite possibly be a great transition beer for those looking to get into the craft beer world. Rumblings of Surly wanting to expand a bit continues through the midwest and here’s hoping that they make it south to the lovely state of Iowa.

REVIEW

Style: Hells/Dortmunder

ABV:4.5%

Purchased at: France44.com

Pour: Golden straw color with a thick white head.

Aroma: Bread, yeast, light citrus.

Flavor: Lots of breadiness with lemon and bit of hops.

Ratebeer.com rating: 90/100

Beeradvocate.com rating: 88/100

Overall: B

My recommendation: A great beer for the style, extremely drinkable. Surly continues to do things and if you can get up north to Minnesota to get some, buy a bunch, or order from france44.com.

Serving type: can

04-02-2013 17:03:23 | More by iabeerbaron

falloutsnow

Illinois

3.69/5  rDev -5.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

From: France44 dot com
Date: Canned on 2013-01-03
Glass: Ayinger willi glass

Surly's helles lager is a fairly solid representation of the style, crisp, clean, malty, with slight American hopping-style influence. That being said, there isn't much that separates it from fresh versions of its German-created counterparts, and the difficulty in obtaining this and its relative price make it likely I won't seek it out again.

Pours a 1cm tall head of white bubbles, small to medium in size, and of average retention, lasting about a minute. Fades to a thin ring around the glass, with a few flecks of foam lingering atop the center of the beer. Lacing consists of a few spots adorning the innser sides of the glass, nothing very substantial. Body is a transparent orange-yellow color, fairly bright, with carbonation that is visible, but sparse and somewhat sluggish. Light brings out brighter yellow hues.

Aroma is of light, sweet, grainy malt, lager yeast, slightly grape-like and plenty doughy with hints of a mild fruit ester akin to orange peel mixed with cantalopue.

Tasting opens with a front palate that is grainy, bready, and slightly grape-like, moving on to a mid-palate that is grassy and vegetative, mingled with mild hints of grapefruit, peach, and honeydew melon.

The beer is medium bodied with carbonation that is of medium intensity and feels "big" on the tongue. This creates a fairly full mouthfeel with some foamy nuances. Closes semi-dry, with little residual stickiness on the palate.

Note: last can of batch on 5/12/13, seems to have peach notes. Is this from hops, or sign of age? Regardless, this can is exceptional, if only this mild peach character was present in the recipe.

Serving type: can

02-27-2013 00:02:19 | More by falloutsnow

macrosmatic

Florida

3.6/5  rDev -7.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Thanks to BubbaBeerMan for this one. Reviewed from notes. Poured from 16 oz. can into a CCB pint glass.

A: Light gold, fairly cloudy, with a thin white head that fades fast. Low visible carbonation.

S: Light pilsner malt, bready yeast, light floral and citrus aromas, and just a bit of wheat.

T: Light pilsner malt, light citrus, lager yeast flavors, and just a mild hop bitterness. Pilsner malt graininess on the exhale.

M: Light body, low alcohol presence, great carbonation sensation.

O: I'll likely never drink this again. But, it seems to be a decent example of a beer style I don't care for.

Serving type: can

02-24-2013 23:33:41 | More by macrosmatic

Beerandraiderfan

Nevada

3.95/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured into my mouth during another one of the usual disc golf outings with cans. Nice vibrant yellow with a lot of clarity and carbonation running through it, pristine virgin white head on it. Aroma is lightly bready, grassy and floral at alternating moments.

Taste, wow, I'm going to have to give "zwickelz" another chance. This is enjoyable, its much like a good pilsner, thinking back to the old Czech Pilsner I used to drink in the Second Millenium. It is somehow a very good blend of smoothness, high carbonation, floral hops and crispness. Impressive. I wouldn't trade any Furious for it, but its probably one of my favorite lagers out there, in a style I don't completely understand.

In some ways, the mouthfeel is simple and clean, but it really has some delicate and appropriate touches and nuances. There's a little floral non hopped aspect, like some kind of literal flower petal in there, mild pepper notes, etc. . . Its kind of like an episode of the Simpsons, it can work on different levels, be it the simple punch in the crotch laugh or something a little more high brow at the same time (example, Duffman proclaiming in court while being sued by Duff Brewery for intellectual property violations: "Ever heard of 'Fair Use'? (hip thrust, OOOOHH Yeah).

Serving type: can

01-19-2013 21:38:18 | More by Beerandraiderfan