Krampus (Imperial Helles Lager) - Southern Tier Brewing Company

zoolzoo

Connecticut

3.53/5  rDev -9.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

On tap at Dive Bar, West Haven CT.

A: Pours deep amber, clear, slightly off white foamy head. Excellent retention, sticky lacing.

S: Doughy bread, grain, distant hops. Aromas are subtle but distinct.

T: Husky, grainy malt. Second malt component mid sip is more like honey drizzled biscuit. Hops kick in mid sip to finish as well...think fading DIPA, pine sappy, sugar coated. Could have done without the cranked up hoppiness this time. Too much bitterness.

M: Thick but well carbed.

O: A slightly confused lager. Didnt really like the hop profile in this otherwise great beer.

Serving type: on-tap

12-29-2011 18:58:05 | More by zoolzoo

JackieTH

Minnesota

3.73/5  rDev -4.8%
look: 5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Thanks Rob for the Christmas present. Pour is deep gold with a finger of tight foam that recedes slowly and leaves lots of lacing. Striking appearance with definite bonus points for the bottle label and story about "Krampus", Santa's evil side kick. Smell is thoroughly malty with hints of dry tea leaves, earth, and citric hop. Big malt on first sip although some crispness shows through. On further swallows the big caramelly malt flavor remains prominent but more noticeable is an orange-citric element, slightly astringent bitterness, and mellow yeast. Not noticed is the 9.0% ABV...at the moment. The body is medium and well crafted. Overall, this is a pretty darn good double pilsner-style beer.

Serving type: bottle

12-29-2011 03:43:56 | More by JackieTH

AlCaponeJunior

Texas

3.63/5  rDev -7.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Coppery and clear with a fairly good head and lace.

Smell and taste is a good malt base with some hops and some earthy grasses.

Body is slightly slick, fairly dry on the finish, with notable alcohol.

I find in interesting but not something I'd drink all the time.

Serving type: bottle

12-27-2011 19:05:17 | More by AlCaponeJunior

barleywinefiend

Washington

3.83/5  rDev -2.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A: Poured light copper body, rather ood for the style, had a small white cap

S: Grains, honey, light booze

T: A bready malt base with some grains, herbal notes, some honey, a bit slick and syrupy

M: Medium body, moderate carbonation, and a dry finish.

O: A cut above average

Serving type: on-tap

12-23-2011 15:34:54 | More by barleywinefiend

Kinsman

New Hampshire

3.7/5  rDev -5.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Embracing Old-world Christmas culture... I like it. Pours a clear coppery orange body and topped with a nice sticky off-white head.

Aroma throws off surprisingly hoppy notes with a bit of grassy pine character and some fruitiness as well. Sweet malty backbone throws of a bit of a caramel note.

Nice zesty fruit hop character with a good bit of bitterness to go along with it. Biscuity malt character with a bit of toffee/caramel sweetness. Slight taste of alcohol in the finish.

Mouhtfeel is pretty heavy with a smooth finish. Overall, Krampus is a nice boozy beer with a surprisingly good hop kick for an enjoyable holiday beer.

Serving type: bottle

12-23-2011 00:40:17 | More by Kinsman

hoptualBrew

Florida

3.75/5  rDev -4.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Pint of this at Hurricane Wings, happy hour - yes. Burnt orange color with cream head up top and a good amount of lacing going around the glass. Highly hopped in the nose, spicy floral hops with a nice caramel malt backbone. Crisp, clean, spicy, hoppy, perfect with wings.

Serving type: on-tap

12-19-2011 21:36:18 | More by hoptualBrew

MTNboy

Missouri

4.22/5  rDev +7.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance: It has an orange- copper like color. The head and lace are white and great.

Smell: There are a lot of fruit and spice tones from the hops that dominate the aroma.

Taste: Great citrus tone with some melon and spice with a grassy finish. At the end some bread tones come through.

Mouthfeel: It is full bodied just as imperial should be.

Overall: I know that it is a helles but it really reminds me of an IPA. I have to say I am a fan.

Serving type: bottle

12-19-2011 10:19:14 | More by MTNboy

tdm168

North Carolina

4.05/5  rDev +3.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Pours a deep copper with a quarter inch of thin, foamy head that has decent retention. The nose is grassy and earthy with a strong lager yeast aroma. The taste is grassy up front with a very nice earthy hop character. The lager yeast also comes through here. The alcohol makes itself known in the taste. It's very warm and slightly boozy. This is a medium to full bodied beer with great carbonation.

This one's a little boozy, but it's good. The alcohol does not take away from the fact this is a solid German-style lager. It's very warm and full bodied for the style so it makes for a nice winter beer. If you're looking for a change of pace this winter try this one.

Serving type: bottle

12-17-2011 15:25:45 | More by tdm168

ChugginOil

Illinois

4.03/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured into a Founders pint glass.

Pours a translucent dark amber color. There is 2 fingers of cream colored head with nice retention. Lots of sticky lacing.

The nose has a good amount of citrus hops along with a stong smelling lager yeast. Sweet bready malt is also present.

The taste hoppy as hell with a nice bitterness to it. The citrus zest is nicely balanced with a sweet malt akin to biscuit. Alcohol is nearly non existent as there is no heat.

The mouthfeel is a lot thicker than expected. Medium-heavy body with a semi-dry finish.

Overall, this is a nice reresentation of this style with good balance.

Serving type: bottle

12-15-2011 21:17:44 | More by ChugginOil

BEERchitect

Kentucky

3.5/5  rDev -10.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

My taste buds get their feelings hurt when I read the terms "imperial" and "helles" in the same title. It's not clever, it's the flavor equivlent of using double negatives in fine literary works.

Krampus has a darker-than-expected golden color with mild haze. A froathy white head caps the beer and allows spotty lace with good retention.

Jumping out immediately is the high hopping rates that provide a sharply citric and spicy earth aroma, taste, and bitterness. Supportive malts seem deeply caramelized and give nearly as much Pale Ale character as that of Pilsner. Bread crust and light yeasty taste provide slight apple-like esters and sulfur character that adds a bit of zest to usher in a semi-dry malt finish with 9% warmth and a minty-cool taste and texture.

Where Imperialized Pilsners usually don't settle particularly well with me, the added caramel and bread crust flavor supports the assertive hop additions very well, allowing me to read the flavor and balance of IPAs moreso than a big Pilsner. Just don't make me read the self-promoted label again.

Serving type: on-tap

12-13-2011 17:31:57 | More by BEERchitect

TTAmod

Michigan

3.75/5  rDev -4.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

22 oz. bomber poured into chalice.

Imperial Helles Lager...interesting choice for a winter brew. I love the label, especially the text.

Appearance is clear, dark orange/amber with a substantial white head with some nice residual lacing.

Smells quite hoppy, with a heavy grapefruit profile much akin to an DIPA. Also smell some honey and spices, too.

Taste is juicy fruit (pineapple/grapefruit) up front, carried by a wave of malt to a bitter-ish finish. Really isn't a powerful taste. I'm actually quite surprised. I was expecting a bit of a punch from this brew. Not necessairly a bad thing, though.

Feel is heavier side of medium. A bit syrupy and slick.

Overall, I don't really know why this would be classified as a double pilsener. Tastes like a DIPA to me. Still, pretty good. A bit different, but still manageable.

Serving type: bottle

12-09-2011 05:52:21 | More by TTAmod

gkunkle

Oregon

3.58/5  rDev -8.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Judging this as an Imperial Helles Lager. Served around the suggested temp of 48 degrees in an old style coke glass, a great tasting glass I might add.

Body of the beer is a golden amber color (actual amber, not the color of amber ale) with a 3/4 inch tall head. No visible carbonation rising through the beer, head has very respectable retention considering the ABV of this beer, which would generally be a quick head killer. As I drink there is some fuzzy lacing left in my glass. Smell has a nice sweetness to it, sort of a malt sweetness but I also get a bit of apple sweetness and a floral hop scent as well. If you search for it, you'll find the alcohol smell, but it isn't prevalent. The taste is strong, but not overly aggressive, the way I suppose an imperial Helles ought to be. The malts seem to carry the beer, they are sweet on the front of the tongue. The middle of the sip gives a slightly odd floral bitterness, definitely characteristic of the hops, but something just seems off to me. Maybe I have a bad bottle. The taste of the alcohol doesn't come up at all. Mouthfeel is thick-ish. The bottle says 20 Plato. I didn't detect any carbonation in this. Overall, I like it as an imperial Helles, but I think there is room for improvement.

Serving type: bottle

11-29-2011 01:37:06 | More by gkunkle

TheBigBoy

Pennsylvania

3.88/5  rDev -1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Don't Hesitate to try this one in Fall/Winter. Spilt 22oz bomber. Great Flavor including, pine, fruity, others flavors but smooth and good class craftiness. Don't let the Krampus logo or high alcohol content scare you a way, this is a fine drinking not overbearing beer. Easily can have one or two of these.

Serving type: bottle

09-09-2011 02:05:23 | More by TheBigBoy

ngeunit1

California

4.33/5  rDev +10.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Serving: Bottle
A - The beer pours a fairly clear golden-copper color with a finger of frothy off-white head. The head fades slowly leaving behind some nice lacing.

S - The aroma is mostly dominated by piney and floral hops. Though there is also a bit of citrus and some sweet malt in there as well.

T - Starts off with some good piney and earthy hops and some nice bitterness. Some sweet malts come in from the background and begin to build as well. Through the middle, the bitterness continues to grow, and some citrus hops and stronger sweet caramel malts come through as well. The finish is a mix of strong earthy hops and some sweet malt that lingers.

M - Medium-plus bodied with moderate lively carbonation. The beer feels very smooth and quite crisp, even given the strong flavors.

D - Very drinkable. The 9% abv here is dangerously well hidden beneath some great flavors. The hops and the malt are very well balanced and seem to play off each other very nicely.

Serving type: bottle

09-01-2011 04:44:24 | More by ngeunit1

Knapp85

Pennsylvania

3.15/5  rDev -19.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

The Krampus poured out as a golden color that seemed to be a little on the thick side. The smell has some earthy and spicey notes to it, not the most appealing smell in my opinion. The aromas were just a little too strange I think. The taste carried the same elements that the nose did. It's got some pine and a light Christmas berry flavor going on in there. The mouthfeel is a little thick, not really carbonated. I just wasn't feeling this beer too much. One of my least favorites from Southern Tier for sure.

Serving type: bottle

05-31-2011 16:31:19 | More by Knapp85

teromous

Virginia

3.55/5  rDev -9.4%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A: It's a dark amber or bronze color that is brilliantly clear. The head is a foamy eggshell white that stands about a finger and a half. Lots of carbonation is visible, refracting sunburst hues of yellow and orange (I know that's worded pretty funny but that's what came to mind when I looked at it). A whole lot of lacing!

S: I get a large hop nose, giving off evergreen scents of pine, spruce, and juniper.

T: The hop flavor is toned down a lot. There's very little bitterness. It has more of a malty flavor.

M: Mouthfeel is just below what I'd consider medium mouthfeel. It has a lot of carbonation. It doesn't quite meld well, but it's definitely above average.

O: Overall it's a pretty good beer. I wasn't completely sold on the flavor so I probably won't buy it again. This is a pretty strange beer because it tastes more like an IPA style than a lager pils.

Serving type: bottle

05-29-2011 13:07:38 | More by teromous

BrewCrew2010

New York

4.03/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A: Pours an amber body with orange highlights. Head is off-white, last from some time, light lasting.

S: Nose of caramel malts, citrus & floral hops. Nothing too complex.

T: A simple flavor of caramel malts with mild hops. Finishes slightly bitter.

M: Medium body; moderate carbonation; smooth & clean mouthfeel.

O: Really good beer. I think it would have been better if I got it fresh, but still really enjoyed it. Could drink 2-3 of these.

Serving type: bottle

04-27-2011 11:30:26 | More by BrewCrew2010

brian44556

Kentucky

3.8/5  rDev -3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Purchased this beer during the holiday season. Didn't see a freshness date. Poured from a 22oz bottle into a Guinness pint glass.

Pours a very dark orange, amber color. Reminds me of a DIPA. Has a thick, two-finger off-white head with nice lacing. Smells of butterscotch, banana, and clove. Has a great taste of hop bitterness, caramel, with a malty backbone. This beer is very carbonated and has a great thick mouthful. Overall a good beer. I haven't had much experience with the Helles Lager style, but after drinking this I'm a fan. This will be on my radar every holiday season.

Serving type: bottle

04-10-2011 22:22:37 | More by brian44556

mountdew1

New Hampshire

3.95/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured into an imperial pint glass. Color was a light orange amber with a 2 finger bubbly white head, with no cling. Constant streams of carbonation rose from the bottom. Aroma was slightly malty, with some hops and a bit of pepper. Taste was spicy, started off as bitter hop but mellowed and then changed to a pepper spicy ending. Felt ok in the mouth, perhaps a tad over carbonated. Wasn't overly thin or thick. A solid beer, well balanced.

Serving type: bottle

03-21-2011 21:58:16 | More by mountdew1

claireoakhammer

New York

3.93/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

a - light amber with a bit of orange, no head

s- some citrus

t- bitter and caramely up front, but some high alcohol notes as well as some spiciness

m- crisp and light but also smooth

o- excellent, though I was hoping for something a little more lager-like.

Serving type: bottle

03-21-2011 19:15:30 | More by claireoakhammer

washburnkid

New York

4.3/5  rDev +9.7%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Reviewed from notes.

A: About a finger of head over light copper hue. Floating islands of retention. Plenty of lace.
S: Aromas are complex, with many competing notes just upon the first sniff. Willamette hops are strong and perfectly encompass the northeast hop profile. Pine and wood after a rainstorm. There's also an exceptional fruity character, complex in its own right. Citrus but also sweet. More ripe fruit than rind.
T: Big bitter tastes, both floral hops and caramel malt. Balanced, which is hiding any hint of alcohol that might have been present with such a big beer. The flavor is biscuity but nice. The flavors don't quite deliver what the aroma promises in terms of complexity.
M: Medium body with the thinnest coating of residue.
D: The aroma kicks ass, but the flavor falls just a bit short. Either way, the lack of alcohol presence makes this beer deceptively easy to drink. It definitely snuck up on me.

Serving type: bottle

03-13-2011 03:35:02 | More by washburnkid

Lerxst

Florida

4/5  rDev +2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at Kickbacks

A-Pours amber with a slight orange tint. Nice one inch head that has good retention and leaves some lacing.

S-Floral and citrus hops are prominent but a nice caramel malt presence is making itself known.

T-Big hop bite, slightly resinous, citrus and floral notes as well. Semi sweet malt comes in in the middle but gets overwhelmed by the hops in the finish. A slightly astringent quality comes in near the finish that detracts a bit from the overall experience, but its still good.

M-Medium body, crisp carb bite that is not unpleasant. Dry finish.

D-This one went down easily and I could have another no problem.

A good job from ST.

Serving type: on-tap

03-06-2011 16:00:53 | More by Lerxst

THECPJ

Delaware

3.48/5  rDev -11.2%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Reviewed from notes

Appearance: dark golden yellow with an amber hint, 1 finger head that lasts for some time

Smell: more hoppy than expected, mostly hoppy at first whiff, then settles into sweet malts

Taste: much like the smell, big hit of hops, but mellows out into sweet malts

Mouthfeel: mild carbonation, well balanced

Drinkability: a pretty decent beer, easily drinkable. This one got left out for Santa with some Christmas cookies, needless to say, he didn't leave any behind.

Cheers!
The CPJ

Serving type: bottle

03-04-2011 02:09:40 | More by THECPJ

DrinkingDrake

Massachusetts

3.93/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured out of a 22oz a deep amber with a thin amount of light tan head that laces out evenly across the top.

Some malty bread in the background but a lot of fresh wet hops in your nose. Very aromatic and zesty resins.

Initial taste is of sweet sugary, slightly toasty caramel with a slam of fresh citrus zesty hops. A balanced bitter tang with the solid molt body. For 9% this is a solid balance that disguises it well. Medium body but very solid in malts.

Serving type: bottle

03-01-2011 00:46:49 | More by DrinkingDrake

OWSLEY069

Pennsylvania

3.53/5  rDev -9.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a clean orange-ish to amber color, with an off white head. In the aroma, sweet malt and some fruit notes. In the taste, semi dry malt, some lager like notes and hints of alcohol. A small bite and medium bodied mouthfeel, with a dry lager like aftertaste. A malty, big lager. Hints of alcohol, but not too over the top.

Serving type: on-tap

02-19-2011 23:44:44 | More by OWSLEY069