Hotter Than Helles Lager - Cigar City Brewing

NoleDoc

Florida

4.49/5  rDev +20.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.25

Had this on tap at the WoB in a tall pilsner glass.

Nice yellow color. Very balanced taste. You can totally taste the cracker. Beer feels very light and refreshing. Another addition to one of my faves or "go to" beers. ABV is about 5% and smooth. Very tastey.

Serving type: on-tap

03-13-2013 21:15:23 | More by NoleDoc

northyorksammy

Ontario (Canada)

3.66/5  rDev -2.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

Enjoyed at the CC Tasting Room. Light yellow with a large retained head. Tasty, it yields both sweet and sour interplay. Like a dirty yeasty blonde flvour, with a chile pepper finish. Yet no spices were included? Good that CC is doing these beers. A good late day beer. OK drinkability.

Serving type: on-tap

01-21-2013 03:06:41 | More by northyorksammy

merc7186

New York

3.55/5  rDev -5.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

I had this beer poured on tap at the airport location, poured into a pilsner glass.

A: Mildly Hazy Golden Straw Hue, Passes Most Light, White Head Ring, Great Lacing

S: Mild Floral, Mild Neutral Malts, Mild Sweet Malts

T: Floral, Mild Sweet Malts, Mildly Grainy

M: Great Carbonation, Light to Medium Bodied, Mildly Malty, Mildly Drying

Overall, a nice helles lager but just lacks that umph to push it over the edge to want it constantly. Nice to try, but wouldnt want to leave here.

Serving type: on-tap

08-28-2012 17:59:56 | More by merc7186

Huhzubendah

District of Columbia

3.93/5  rDev +5.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On draft at Churchkey in D.C.

The beer is transparent and pale yellow with a half inch of white head. A fine appearance. The aroma is subtle, with notes of bread, grain, a touch of yeast. Smells good. The taste is more aggressive. Light and bready. Refreshing and crisp with appropriate carbonation. A solid example of the style.

Serving type: on-tap

07-04-2012 16:53:53 | More by Huhzubendah

corby112

Pennsylvania

3.85/5  rDev +2.9%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Draft at Peg's Cantina.

Pours pale golden yellow color that's very faint and watery.  Looks kind of like coors light actually with a 1.5 finger frothy headthat slowly settles into a lasting ring.  The glass is left coated with sheets of soapy lace.  The color of this beer isn't very appealing but the head has good retention and ample lacing.

Sweet yet slightly earthy aroma with hints of light fruit, straw, grass and pale malt.  Subtle bready presence with hits of apple and pear as well as some spicy, grassy hops.

Medium bodied but fuller than expected especially considering the appearance.  Light crisp hops followed by some earthy grass/straw character as well as some bready yeast and light fruit.  Some apple and pear provided sweetness that counters the earthy hop character.  Well balanced, light and very easy to drink.

Serving type: on-tap

06-24-2012 06:22:09 | More by corby112

macrosmatic

Florida

3.08/5  rDev -17.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Had on-tap at CCB tasting room. Reviewed from notes.

A: A light yellow in color, almost reminds me of weak lemonade. A nice white one-finger head.

S: Aroma is primarily lager yeast breadiness, with one part lemon-y fruit.

T: Bready yeast. Just a hint of the hops. Still seems a little fruity here too, but subdued.

M: Light but smooth mouthfeel. Alcohol flavor nearly non-existent.

O: OK to good for a lager, just not my preference. I don't think I'll get again.

Serving type: on-tap

06-01-2012 01:32:23 | More by macrosmatic

metter98

New York

3.93/5  rDev +5.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

On-tap at Rattle ‘n Hum, New York, NY

A: The beer is relatively clear straw yellow in color and has no visible carbonation. It poured with a thin yet dense white head that gradually died down but never completely faded away.
S: There is a definite smell of Hallertau hops in the nose, which impart grassy and spicy aromas.
T: The taste is very malty and is also accompanied by flavors of grassy and spicy hops.
M: It feels medium-bodied, very smooth and even a bit creamy on the palate with a moderate amount of carbonation.
O: I really enjoyed this beer and it reminded me of drinking a helles under the chestnut trees in a Munich biergarten.

Serving type: on-tap

05-25-2012 22:18:02 | More by metter98

onix1agr

Pennsylvania

3.2/5  rDev -14.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

On Tap at Whole Foods in Plymouth Meeting in a pint glass.

Hotter than Helles pours out a very bright golden yellowish color with a clear body, not any haze in the way. A nice bright white cap on top with some legs but no stick. Good retention. Bubbles. Smell is pretty pale malted up with some underlining spicy hop notes. I get some fruity scents, but that may be from the previous beer on tap. Taste is helles, than I get the fruity flavor as well, which kinda kills it for me. Rich German hop flavor and malt mixes well with a light enough body but I am unsure of the semi fruit flavor I am getting. Feel is on point, light and spritzy carb, a nice hop bite towards the end. I was hoping for more, perhaps I am spoiled by all the great German style offerings local to us in SEPA, but Hotter than Helles was a dud.

Serving type: on-tap

05-07-2012 02:44:24 | More by onix1agr

IronLover

Pennsylvania

4.15/5  rDev +11%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Pale yellow in color with a deep haze. Poured with a foamy bright white head that reduced to a sticky dense cap. Biscuity sweet malt aroma with hints of floral hops and an earthy grass character. Aggressive, somewhat fizzy carbonation up front that turns buttery smooth through the middle. Biscuit malt and floral hop bitter flavors with a apple-like sweetness in the background. The hop flavors peak toward the end with a tangy twist of he taste buds. Finishes crisply with a slightly tart aftertaste.

Serving type: on-tap

05-01-2012 17:22:39 | More by IronLover

kylehay2004

Florida

4.38/5  rDev +17.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

single finger clear straw colored body some lacing. Aroma is grassy, grainy and light malts. The body is much fuller than I was expecting with high carbonation. Very refreshing and highly drinkable. Flavor of bitter hops like noble hops but mildly so with a nice malt profile and grassy notes. For my tastes one of the best mouthfeels and flavors of a Helles I have had.

Serving type: on-tap

04-15-2012 02:38:34 | More by kylehay2004

zeff80

Missouri

3.88/5  rDev +3.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at Tap 42 in Fort Lauderdale, FL.

A - Poured a clear, golden-yellow color with a one-finger, white head of bubbly foam. It left sudsy trails of lace on the glass.

S - It smelled of floral notes with some grassy hops.

T - It tasted floral and spicy with a nice backbone of sweet caramel and grains.

M - A medium bodied lager with a sharp, crisp finish. Clean and snappy.

O - This is a pretty tasty lager. I was glad to try a fairly rare Cigar City brew at Tap 42.

Serving type: on-tap

04-14-2012 02:33:35 | More by zeff80

wcintula

New York

4.25/5  rDev +13.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

What a surprise in a glass! I'm a fan of the Helles, but didn't expect something so good. At Ginger Man, it was poured into an imperial pint, but again with the ABV! Listed as 7.5% yet it's listed here as 5%(see my last review, beer also had at Ginger Man).

A nice golden brew with a finger and a half head receded slowly. The smell is nice cereal grains with a touch of flora. Great bready, cracker-y taste with the slightest hint of hops, very refreshing, and extremely quaffable.

Serving type: on-tap

03-27-2012 21:44:35 | More by wcintula

drabmuh

Maryland

4.13/5  rDev +10.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

At the time of this review, this beer is #44 on the "Top Beers - Munich Helles Lager" list on beeradvocate.com. On tap at Hunahpu's day at CC, served in a plastic pint glass because it was the classiest serving vessel available.

Beer is yellow and clear with moderate carbonation a white head some lacing, looks good.

Aroma is a little weak but fine, a little yeasty grainy and lagery, I like the aroma a lot actually.

Beer is light and wet, good finish, clean and crisp, the yeast shows up in the late forward palate, a little thicker mouthfeel than I expected and a good finish on the end. I'd have this again (I had it twice while in FL).

Serving type: on-tap

03-21-2012 16:08:10 | More by drabmuh

mdfb79

New York

3.83/5  rDev +2.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

From 02/18/12 notes. Had on tap at Rattle N Hum in NYC. Served in a pint glass.

a - Pours a clear, transparent yellow color with one inch of white head and moderate carbonation evident.

s - Smells of spices, light fruity malts, citrus, grains, honey, and some bread. Nice citrus and fruit, and a little sweet which I like.

t - Tastes of wheat, grains, bready malts, spices, light sweet fruit but less then the nose. A slight step down as a tiny bit blander.

m - Light body and moderate carbonation. Very smooth and super easy to drink.

o - Overall I liked this one. I thought it was a very easy to drink lager, and is pretty light and refreshing. Nose is pretty nice, while the taste has more grains and wheat. Would have it again, could be a good spring/summer beer.

Serving type: on-tap

02-21-2012 16:56:29 | More by mdfb79

AgentZero

Illinois

3.53/5  rDev -5.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A - Yellow looking beer with a thin white head that didn't leave much.

S - Grassy smelling beer with a small bit of citrus and some sweet grains. Decent lager aroma.

T - Somewhat grainy, with a little bit of spice and some grass. There's a bit of honey in there as well which distinguishes this from a lot of other things.

M - Lighter bodied, with decent carbonation.

O - Not a bad beer, good lager taste with some distinctive honey sweetness. Worth trying.

Serving type: on-tap

02-20-2012 04:22:27 | More by AgentZero

Swim424

Florida

1.85/5  rDev -50.5%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 1.5 | overall: 2

Got this on tap at a cask ale night at proof in tallahassee (was not the cask ale).

It poured a bright cloudy thick yellow with a small head. wasn't much to the smell, maybe because I was in a bar. Tasted like a buttery beer. I couldn't get past that. It wasn't very good. It was fairly thick and creamy, and honestly felt, and tasted like a pilsner mixed with melted butter. I did not enjoy this and was very disappointed. I love the brewery and everything I have had by them until this one.

Serving type: on-tap

02-16-2012 05:42:31 | More by Swim424

JizackFH

New York

4.05/5  rDev +8.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Had on-tap at Sunswick 35/35 in Astoria, NY on 2/7/12.

Review taken from notes.

This beer pours a bright golden straw color that has nice clarity. there is about a finger of white head resting on top. The head has good retention, and it leaves a nice bit of lace behind on the glass. The nose is of grainy malt sweetness. There is also some fruitiness, honey, spicy hops, and some earthy grassiness. The taste followed what the nose suggested. It started off with some grainy malt sweetness. There are some nice flavors of honey, fruit, and some earthiness. Also, there is an earthy spicy hop presence. The finish leaves some lingering earthiness, hop presence, and the sweet maltiness behind on the palate. This has a medium body and good carbonation. It goes down really easy, and it has a really smooth feel to it. There is some sweetness at first, and then a nice earthiness comes in and balances it out. Also, there is some spice and bitterness from the hops that is really nice. It has a nice refreshing quality to it. There is really good drinkability here. I could easily have a few pints of this in a night. It goes down really easy, has nice flavor, and is pretty refreshing. Overall, I think it is just a solid beer, and I recommend trying it out. I would buy this one again. I can see it being really nice on a hot summer day. I hope i run into it again.

Serving type: on-tap

02-08-2012 20:14:58 | More by JizackFH

xnicknj

Pennsylvania

3.88/5  rDev +3.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

on tap at devils den in philly - review from notes

Hazed pour with a super pale yellow color and a crop of white head sitting on top. Dissolves into a layer of film with a few spots of lacing around the glass.

Grainy and grassy in the nose. Hints of citrus and lemon followed by faint biscuit notes and some light earthiness.

A bit juicy and hoppy up front with grassy and citrus notes. Lemon and orange peel followed by earthy and biscuit malts. Grainy cracker notes towards the finish, which is a little sweet and dry.

Lighter body, higher carbonation, clean and crisp on the tongue, really refreshing. A nice lager enhanced by a blast of citrus.

Serving type: on-tap

02-08-2012 01:55:43 | More by xnicknj

JayS2629

Alabama

3.78/5  rDev +1.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a hazy orange/amber with a thick white head that fades slowly and leaves nice lacing.

The aroma is of honey, toasted nuts, and spicy hops.

The flavor follows the nose with oney on a nutty background, some spicy notes and a good herbal hoppy balance. Slightly too hoppy for the style.

Creamy and smooth

Overall, an ok version of the style. A little off.

Serving type: on-tap

01-04-2012 17:30:48 | More by JayS2629

AdamBear

Pennsylvania

3.65/5  rDev -2.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A-fizzy yellow with a sticky thin white head

S-very grassy with a touch of grains to it. medium strength. not bad

T-comes in with a spicy grassyness with nutty grains that last awhile and make up a good after-taste. made from quality ingredients. not a bad representation of a german lager.

M-good and full bodied with medium carbonation and a slightly creamy finish

O-i'm enjoying this. its a very tasty lager that one could drink all night long. just for those who want to know, i am a lager fan though. i can't wait for this to come out in cans!

Serving type: on-tap

12-07-2011 02:59:04 | More by AdamBear

Kegatron

Pennsylvania

3.88/5  rDev +3.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap @ Capone’s (Norristown, PA) on 11/11/11. Served in a pint glass.

Pours a clear paler gold, with a thin fizzy head of bright-white froth. This retains with a foamy ring around the edges of the rim, leaving back a smattering of lace that slowly drips down the sides of the glass. The aroma smells leafy and spicy up front, followed by lighter notes of bitter fruit and sweet bready grains. There’s a touch of a musty lager yeast character to this along the back. This is nice but doesn’t really have a whole lot of power in the nose.

The taste is firm throughout, with a crisp bitterness that is set against sweet grains that are more than up for the task. There is definitely a flavorful citric fruitiness here that comes out across the back and mingles with the malt. There is a bit of a leafy spiciness present as well, which mostly lingers with some leftover bitter citrus in the dry feeling finish on this. The mouthfeel is medium bodied, with an overall crisp and refreshing feel that keeps this quite easy drinking. This is pretty spot on for the style.

Despite the nose not giving up a whole lot, I thought that this was quite a solid take on a Helles, with a flavorful and well balanced crispness that was very accessible and inviting on the palate. This one is worth a look.

Serving type: on-tap

11-15-2011 17:53:57 | More by Kegatron

adam42381

Florida

3.9/5  rDev +4.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Review from notes at World of Beer - Fort Myers on 10/30/11.

Poured on draft into a shaker pint glass.

Appearance: Pours a medium straw gold with a 1 finger foamy snow white head. Nice lacing.

Smell: Sweet malt, citrus and a touch of hops. Very light aroma.

Taste: Sweet malt and earthy hops with a touch of citrus. Aftertaste is bittersweet and fruity.

Mouthfeel: Light-to-medium-bodied with a good amount of carbonation.

Drinkability: High drinkability. Quite smooth.

Overall: Good beer overall. Worth a shot if you see it on draft.

Serving type: on-tap

11-05-2011 00:21:54 | More by adam42381

hdelavega

Florida

3.9/5  rDev +4.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured to a pint glass.
Pours a golden honey color with very little head that disappears pretty quickly.
Sweet malt, a little citrus. I observed in the previous review corn tortilla chips and am totally picking up on it.
Nice first sip, a little bitterness, some sweet malty notes, again some corn flavors, and a bit of spice.
Mouth feel is smooth and crisp, full carbonation, medium light body. Super drinkable, cigar city please consider canning this guy.

Serving type: on-tap

10-27-2011 04:07:05 | More by hdelavega

PorterLambic

Florida

3.85/5  rDev +2.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Arrives a bright and shiny yellow with a small head of white. A film, really. Not expecting any lace. Didn't get any either.
Smell is malt and hops with hints of vanilla and citrus.
Taste is malt, corn tortillas, hops, with mild citrus and vanilla notes as well. Good balance. Decent complexity.
Mediim-bodied maybe leaning fuller, good effervescence with a nice tanginess on the tongue.Some white grape and corn notes throughout he aftertaste to keep the malt company. For a first or second lager ever, this is pretty good. Mind, I'm not a lager person.

Serving type: on-tap

09-28-2011 16:28:00 | More by PorterLambic

Bosoxfan20

Missouri

3.95/5  rDev +5.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A- Pours a hazy lemon color with a 1.5 finger off white head that quickly dissipates. Nice soapy lacing persists.

S- Fruity citrus aroma. Lots of esters. Lemon zest or lemon grass, pineapple, range of tropical juices. Lager malts

T- Fruits indicated from the nose along with a touch of peppery spice up front. Slight grainy notes and buttery lager malts in the finish. Crackers. Smooth and well balanced.

M- Light to mid body. Crisp bite of carbonation. Moderate drinkability for the style. Very refreshing.

O- A wonderful example of the style with a fantastic spicy kick to it. Would love a case of this for floating the river during the summer.

Canned on 4/24/13
Consumed on 5/22/13

$7.49 for a 6 pk

Serving type: can

05-24-2013 19:08:39 | More by Bosoxfan20