Aecht Schlenkerla Helles Lagerbier - Brauerei Heller-Trum / Schlenkerla

CASK1

Florida

3.9/5  rDev -1.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Poured from a 500 ml bottle.

Slightly hazy pale gold, with a white head that fades quickly. Continuous streams of bubbles, but I would like a better head retention.

Aroma is malt balanced, with a slight DMS cooked corn coming through - unexpected but not unpleasant. There is some smoke if you know to look for it, but very subtle. No hops, no esters, very clean aroma.

Smoke is a bit more prominent in the flavor, and very enjoyable. Clean grainy pils malt flavor, with a medium hop bitterness to balance. Low spicy noble hop flavor. The cooked corn DMS is much more subdued in the flavor than in the aroma.

Medium-light body with a clean dry finish. Mouthfeel begs for another sip.

Overall an interesting, unique, and enjoyable German lager. The aroma is a bit underwhelming, but the interesting balance of flavors makes up for it.

Serving type: bottle

11-27-2011 23:52:20 | More by CASK1

SpongeRuiner

Michigan

3.75/5  rDev -5.5%

05-17-2013 01:05:03 | More by SpongeRuiner

JSchock7

Kansas

3.25/5  rDev -18.1%

04-28-2013 20:02:10 | More by JSchock7

beergoot

Colorado

4.38/5  rDev +10.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

Pale, straw yellow body, crystal clear, with excellent carbonation and a thick white head. Bright, grainy lager aroma. Biscuit and light cracker malt flavors with a crisp hop bitterness near the end. Light bodied with a crisp, clean, dry finish.

An extraordinary German lager that hits all the style marks in excellent fashion. Well-balanced combines with nice, low-key complexity throughout. I've always liked their smoked beers and was hoping their helles lager would provide similar satisfaction. I was not disappointed and would recommend this beer to anyone without hesitation.

Serving type: bottle

04-25-2013 23:35:21 | More by beergoot

mrebeka

Michigan

4/5  rDev +0.8%

04-21-2013 14:49:24 | More by mrebeka

navinsula

Indiana

5/5  rDev +25.9%

04-21-2013 01:10:51 | More by navinsula

sirsteve42

New York

3.75/5  rDev -5.5%

04-15-2013 04:06:15 | More by sirsteve42

thewimperoo

Illinois

4/5  rDev +0.8%

04-12-2013 23:15:40 | More by thewimperoo

tectactoe

Michigan

4.5/5  rDev +13.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

I was at the beer store purchasing a dimpled German beer mug when I thought it would only be fitting to buy a German lager to dump into it for its first usage. I picked up a Schlenkerla Helles Lager based on a few suggestions and the fact that I generally enjoy their rauchbiers; I figured I'd try one of their non-smoked malt beers.

This one pours a color halfway between yellow and straw with a mild chill haze that settles in the middle and eventually fades once the beer approaches slightly warmer temps to reveal a decent amount of clarity. A puffy and cloudy white head pillows up and shows excellent retention, not to mention the huge amounts of chunky lace it leaves behind. Very nice looking beer, especially in this dimpled German mug. All I need now is a warm pretzel.

Schlenkerla Helles Lager has one of the best aromas in lager-town. Humongous bread and grain filled framework upon which an excellently fresh, crisp, and pure display of aromas is laid out. Barley, thick yeast, mildly musky hops, and an uplifting dose of smokiness. The smoke in this is more akin to a sweet, subtle, liquid smoke aroma as opposed to the heavier, full-force meatiness provided by Schlenkerla's rauchbiers. This beer does not actually use smoked malt, however due to the use of the same brewing equipment between this and the rauchbiers, some of the residual smokiness makes it's way into the helles lager.

The taste follows right along with the aroma as a nice wave a bread-like malts and softly toasted grains wash over my palate. The smokiness is perhaps even a bit lighter on the palate, but still very much an integral part of what makes this beer so great; a nice, light sweet smoke flavor that sets this lager apart from others. Light citrus zest in the finish along with heavy grains and fresh, lager-type yeast. Each sip that goes down leaves your mouth begging for more. Lighter bodied with a tight and crisp mouth feel thanks to a plentiful amount of carbonation.

This beer is so fundamentally simple yet executed so admirably. Drinkability is insanely high - I couldn't get enough of this beer. You can bet that I'll be picking this one up from now on, every time I'm looking for something to sit back and relax with. Definitely one of the best lagers I've had to date, especially considering the helles style. It opened my eyes to what helles lagers could taste like.

Serving type: bottle

04-10-2013 20:46:16 | More by tectactoe

aztraz

Sweden

3.75/5  rDev -5.5%

03-27-2013 23:48:29 | More by aztraz

apintofknowledge

New Jersey

4.25/5  rDev +7.1%

03-26-2013 23:01:34 | More by apintofknowledge

TheBishopco

Tennessee

4/5  rDev +0.8%

03-07-2013 23:32:55 | More by TheBishopco

Shatter

North Carolina

3/5  rDev -24.4%

03-04-2013 03:44:47 | More by Shatter

marlinsfan4

Maryland

3.75/5  rDev -5.5%

03-01-2013 04:23:06 | More by marlinsfan4

Tucquan

Pennsylvania

3.85/5  rDev -3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

Had this on 2013-02-16 in Bowling Green, KY

A - Clear golden-yellow with a 2-finger head that fades quickly leaving mild lace.

S - Sourdough, citrus, light earthy spice

T - Yeasty bread, citrus, light smoke, grass, earthy spice. Finishes with a light flourish of bitterness. Not over-the-top but quite tasty.

M - Light-medium body and carbonation. Soft, lightly creamy, finishes on the crisp side.

O - A very nice Helles. Good flavor for low ABV. Wouldn't be a go-to for me but would enjoy it again.

Serving type: bottle

02-16-2013 18:23:04 | More by Tucquan

JDavidRice

Connecticut

3.75/5  rDev -5.5%

02-12-2013 02:38:46 | More by JDavidRice

Koralin

Colorado

4/5  rDev +0.8%

02-07-2013 22:58:49 | More by Koralin

foles

Australia

4.38/5  rDev +10.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

This is a world classic for me. An outstanding hell in its own right, with a lovely hint of smoke to complement it. Everything is done in perfect balance here. And having had it at the brewery, and at home in Australia - it travels very well (Pheonix beers are good importers).

Serving type: bottle

02-05-2013 05:02:14 | More by foles

matjack85

Illinois

4.5/5  rDev +13.4%

02-02-2013 16:22:39 | More by matjack85

BEERMILER12

Maine

3.98/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Pours a clear straw yellow color with almost no head

S: Lager yeast, some wheat, light fruitiness and grains, along with a smooth smokiness throughout

T: Follows the nose. Light fruitiness and grains, some wheat presence, and the smoke throughout. The smoke is nowhere near overpowering. Crisp

M: Light bodied with moderate-high carbonation. Crisp and refreshing

O: A solid helles lager with a nice smokiness to it. The smoke is more of a supporting role than anything else (especially compared to their other beers) and keeps things interesting. Very easy to drink and easy to find. Worth a purchase

Serving type: bottle

01-17-2013 21:53:32 | More by BEERMILER12

spycow

Illinois

3.75/5  rDev -5.5%

01-14-2013 02:02:04 | More by spycow

carteravebrew

Colorado

3.25/5  rDev -18.1%

01-10-2013 01:27:03 | More by carteravebrew

westcoastbeerlvr

California

3.5/5  rDev -11.8%

01-09-2013 18:23:36 | More by westcoastbeerlvr

jsisko01

Michigan

4.65/5  rDev +17.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Appearance - Pours a clear straw color with a half inch thick, soapy white head. Leaves a very nice, creamy lacing.

Smell - Has a slight spicy aroma, like a typical helles lager. Along with a weird funk and sourdough bread.

Taste - Lightly spiced. I can detect coriander for sure. There is a strong smoky flavor as well, with a light mustiness/funk. It has a subtle sweetness throughout. Sourdough bread and a light bitterness come out in the finish.

Mouthfeel - Medium bodied with medium carbonation.

Overall - This is a great beer.

Serving type: bottle

01-01-2013 03:54:12 | More by jsisko01

Pamola

Vermont

3.75/5  rDev -5.5%

12-28-2012 03:42:10 | More by Pamola