Hoffmann Helles - Climax Brewing Company

jwc215

New Jersey

3.6/5  rDev -4.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured golden with virtually no head and no traces of lacing. The color was good - wish it had more of a head to it.
The smell was clean, but very faint. I didn't pick up on much, especially at first, but a whiff of faint hops.
It was well-balanced. Sweet and bitter intermingled. A slight skunk reminiscent of Euro-lagers was hidden in the background, but didn't last. Otherwise, the flavors were mild.
It did go down smoothly. Other than the smoothness, the strength of this brew is to quench a thirst on a hot day. While nothing especially notable in the smell or taste, it was well-balanced, non-offensive, and above-all smooth.

Serving type: bottle

07-24-2006 04:02:31 | More by jwc215

Rastacouere

Quebec (Canada)

4.7/5  rDev +24.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Draft at Barcade under the name Hofmann(sic) Helles. Clear light golden hue, shining, decent sized white head, mostly lasting. Great hallertau? Hops nose, very floral and lemony, grassy, spicy enveloped by delicious strawy pils malt. The power of the maltiness takes form on the tongue developing mind-boggling pureness of flavour, bread and biscuits of the highest order. Very fruity as well with lemon and tropical fruits being surprisingly omnipresent and bringing a pleasant low level of acidity which enhances drinkability to rarely encountered levels. Not too dry, not too sweet. Oily texture, small bubbles, restrained carbonation. Awesome focus in there, so soft, so clean, so pure balance glory. Another tour de force by Climax. Exceptional.

Serving type: on-tap

09-12-2005 01:29:58 | More by Rastacouere