Hacker-Pschorr Edelhell - Hacker-Pschorr Bräu GmbH

steveh

Illinois

3.1/5  rDev -15.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5

Once again, reviewing this beer to style based on a crossover of BA & BJCP style characters.

The H-P Helles is difficult to find in my area, most often being overshadowed by the H-P Weizen, so when I found a six pack in a local grocery, I though I'd revisit the classic.

A - Very clear, gold color with a white head that settles quick, but revives well.

S - Pretty light in the aroma category, a good swirl brings out some grassy hops and light biscuit malt - nothing spectacular.

T - Pretty light in this category too; good toasty maltiness, if a bit faint. Hop finish with a bit of an acidic quality; nothing offensive, but somewhat harsh to style.

M - Not quite as soft as other Bavarian (or even Bavarian style) lagers on the shelf, a little sharp, but again - not offensive.

D - While some of the off-characteristics are a little distracting, this is still a good drinker and thirst quencher; subtle and refreshing without hitting you on the head to get your attention.

Serving type: bottle

08-10-2007 14:32:22 | More by steveh

herrburgess

South Carolina

4.25/5  rDev +16.4%

05-28-2013 14:03:58 | More by herrburgess

Slatetank

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev +9.6%

05-26-2013 18:31:47 | More by Slatetank

cliff1066

Virginia

3.75/5  rDev +2.7%

12-10-2012 03:26:39 | More by cliff1066

pknyc

New York

3.75/5  rDev +2.7%

11-10-2012 15:23:26 | More by pknyc

tbeer40

New Jersey

4/5  rDev +9.6%

03-03-2012 00:43:03 | More by tbeer40

slimntubbs

Pennsylvania

3.5/5  rDev -4.1%

01-31-2012 04:31:19 | More by slimntubbs

schopenhauerale

British Columbia (Canada)

4/5  rDev +9.6%

01-19-2012 05:55:05 | More by schopenhauerale

cdwil

Texas

3.5/5  rDev -4.1%

12-30-2011 21:47:40 | More by cdwil

Knapp85

Pennsylvania

3.5/5  rDev -4.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

This beer poured out as a lightly hazy looking yellow color with a white head on top. The head settles and just leaves a little bit of white film over top of the beer. The smell of the brew is grainy and a little grassy. The taste of the beer was earthy amd a little on the sweet side. The finish was crisp and bitter. The mouthfeel was drinkable, it was light to medium bodied. Overall this beer was pretty good, I would probably have it again.

Serving type: bottle

12-25-2011 07:03:20 | More by Knapp85

bigred89

Maryland

3/5  rDev -17.8%

12-04-2011 02:25:10 | More by bigred89

ludachris

Ontario (Canada)

3.48/5  rDev -4.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a perfectly clear shining golden hue that I have come to associate macros with, with a one finger soapy and watery white head that is produced after an aggressive pour, quickly bioling down to a thin ring of lace. Minimal carbonation is visible.

The nose is quite faint but what I do pick up are notes of fresh bread, pepper, biscuits and crackers. Dry and clean. Very similar to a German Pilsner without the pronounced floral/herbal hop character.

Ah, just like the nose, all of the fresh bready malts and dry cracker, biscuit, and peppery notes are up front and most pronounced with a flash of watery grassy hops thrown in the middle to mix it up a bit. The finish is bread-like and dry. For me, this is very reminiscent of a local German Pilsner, Steam Whistle, which I enjoy quite a bit. The only real differentiation that I can detect is that the focus is solely on the malty, fresh, and dry character with the hops being placed far in the back.

Mouthfeel is light, decently balanced, with a refreshing dry finish. Maybe it's the style, or maybe it's just this interpretation that leaves me thinking this is best for sessioning. And being drunk in the season of summer, I think this beer is well suited.

This marks my first Munich Helles Lager, and I'm fine with saying that this seems like nothing out of the ordinary. Nothing really stood out to me that left me wanting to seek more interpretations of this style. With that being said, it still is one up on any macro available to me and a great summer quaffer. I'll stick to their Hefe's though ;)

Serving type: bottle

07-01-2010 02:17:29 | More by ludachris

PoisonedMushroom

Ontario (Canada)

3.38/5  rDev -7.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

I had this one on tap at Bryden's Pub, Toronto.

A: This brew came to my table in its own branded mug, with a generous two finger head. The nice gold colour combined with the mug made the beer a visual treat. Unfortunately, the head subsided to an extremely thin film in moments, leaving very little lace in its wake.

S: I smelled this many times, but frankly, I couldn't get much aside from the hops. Now, it is true that Helles Lagers are not really known for aromatic richness, but this was one was just slightly too faint.

T: Grassy hops, along with some sweetness of the malts came through.

M: A fairly light body with considerable (but not harsh) carbonation made this one very pleasant in my mouth.

D: There was no denying that this one had the characteristics of a gulper. One could have quite a few of these, although it wouldn't be my first choice.

I thought this brew to be not overly impressive, but there was absolutely nothing offensive about it. It would stand as a nice thirst quencher on a hot summer day.

Serving type: on-tap

11-02-2009 19:29:59 | More by PoisonedMushroom

philipquarles

Massachusetts

3.1/5  rDev -15.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

On tap. Pours clear yellow with a smallish white head that disappears quickly and leaves very little lacing. Very faint smell that hints at grain; not much going on here. Similarly unimpressive taste; light grain, and that's about it. Barely noticeable hop notes. Feel is light and fizzy. Unoffensive--I guess 'clean' is a nice way to put it. Bland and characterless, and kind of disappointing. Maybe this was an older keg?

Serving type: on-tap

08-15-2009 23:20:16 | More by philipquarles

bobsy

Ontario (Canada)

3.53/5  rDev -3.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Picked up a bottle from the beerstore on the basis that if anyone know how to make a decent Munich helles its a German brewer from Munich.

The initial outlook for Edelhell is excellent, as a moderate pour produces a rich golden body with a good two fingers of white head - a classical and beautiful lager appearance. Sadly, this is somewhat of a mirage, and the head dissipates to a film in record quick time, and leaves no lace. Still... nice clarity, even if the peripherals suck. Aroma of sweet toasty malt and grassy German hops. Fairly standard for a helles, but not remotely exciting. Lightly toasted malts, grassy, spicy hops and a lingering sweetness in the flavour. Clean and well-balanced, if again a little uninspiring. Body is quite nice, medium light with a zingy but soft carbonation.

Overall its not a bad example of the Munich helles style, but I don't think its a particularly great one either. Its the sort of beer I could see as easy to drink lots of on a night out with friends because its straightforward and fairly quaffable. However for sitting at home and considering its virtues, its a poor choice considering the cast range of craft beer out there. A lawnmower beer down to the smell and taste of grass clippings.

Serving type: bottle

03-28-2009 19:54:25 | More by bobsy

TommyW

Massachusetts

3.68/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A- Clear and pale gold body with a nice sticky white head.

S- Quick note of sweet malts, grassiness and a little spice from the hops.

T- Nice balance between the munich malts and the hops.

M- Medium body with a perfect carbonation level.

D- Goes down really well; it's got a nice balance; crisp clean finish. Makes it very drinkable.

Serving type: on-tap

01-24-2009 16:51:47 | More by TommyW

donkeyrunner

Massachusetts

3.63/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Straw colored with a medium white head. Smells like light and fruity grain with some spices.

Tastes of sweet light malt balanced by a mild peppery hop. The peppery hop sits on the pallette for awhile after swallowing. Plain but very refreshing and very drinkable. Carbonation is spot on. If I had a giant stein I would fill it with this.

Serving type: bottle

01-22-2009 21:00:18 | More by donkeyrunner

Voonder

Alberta (Canada)

3.8/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pours golden yellow, very clear with nice one finger white head. Smell - honey hits the nose first, then sweet grassy malts come into play. Taste - very clean, a bit too sweet, but still refreshing with bitter finish. Crisp, very light. Very drinkable. Good beer that I'd drink on a regular basis.

Serving type: bottle

12-27-2008 00:09:47 | More by Voonder

Augustiner719

Connecticut

3.98/5  rDev +9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured 3x 12oz bottles into a 1L stein.

Appearance: Poured a nice orangy yellow hazy foggy color that produced a minor 2 finger head for 3 agressive pours into the stein.

Smell: Beautiful fresh hops comming through with very clear fruitiness and citrus comming through with wheaty aromas on the back end. Nice, light and refreshing smells.

Taste: First off, perfect carbonation on this beer. Nice refreshing citrus and cereal flavors. Slight bitterness comes through after the mild sweetness as an aftertaste.

Mouthfeel: perfect carbonation/ Nice light mouthfeel packed but its packed with delicious flavors.

Drinkability: I'd definately have this again. Its got some nice qualities I look for in a wheaty beer.It can be a session beer for sure and its going to be visiting my fridge more often

Serving type: bottle

12-21-2008 03:14:43 | More by Augustiner719

beerthulhu

New Jersey

3.45/5  rDev -5.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

A: Poured a very clear bright gold color with a moderate lasting sudsy white head.

S: a light herbal hopping, some lemons, and a light grassiness. The aroma was very light.

T: The initial flavor was light fresh cereal grains with a grassy hopping and light malt sweetness sneaking through in the middle. The beer finishes with a light herbal lemon hopping and the flavor ends very cleanly and abruptly.

M: very light with a slight carbonation detection with light grains.

D: A modestly light palate with an ok lemon herbal hopping and drinks well for its style. Clean on the flavor and finish.

Serving type: bottle

10-01-2008 22:29:05 | More by beerthulhu

AltBock

Ohio

2.85/5  rDev -21.9%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

12 oz. bottle that has a sweet drawing of busty blonde German beer waitress holding 3 of those 1 liter mugs of beer. The back label has all the usual US information. A produced on date can be found on the front label in the lower right hand corner.

When poured into a German mug, this Hacker-Pschorr beer is a bright golden lemon yellow with a minimal head of white foam. This head of foam just had OK retention that left behind a handful of white foamy rings along the edge. It didn't bother to leave any lace behind.

The aroma was lightly fruity with a stick of butter and a faint whiff of toasted grains. How did butter ever get into the aroma? I don't know and I don't want to know why.

The taste was light, crispy, and surprisengly fruity with a hint of bitter floral hops, toasted grains, and a subtle splash of yeast at the finish. I'm just glad that no butter showed up in the taste like in did in the aroma.

The mouthfeel was of course on the light side, but the aftertaste was far too faint with toasted grains, a speck of bitter hops, and a few juicy fruits hiding in the back.

Yeah it could be used a German session beer for somebody, but not me. For me, one is more than enough for me. It was nothing more than a close to be being average German Lager. I'm sure it would taste much better on-tap at Oktoberfest in Munich.

Serving type: bottle

06-17-2008 16:59:12 | More by AltBock

WesWes

New York

4.05/5  rDev +11%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

The beer pours a pale gold color with a thick frothy white head that slowly fades to lacing. The aroma is good. It has a light pale and Munich malt scent. It's sweet with some breadlike aroma. There is some fruitiness as well as a light German hop presence. The taste is good. This is a fantastic Helles. It's smooth with an excellent malt flavor. It goes down easy with a nice Munich malt sweetness and finishes clean with a dry German hop bitterness. The mouthfeel is great. It is a medium bodied beer with adequate carbonation. This is a very good lager. It's pale, yet flavorful. It has just the right amount of balance to it.

Serving type: bottle

02-14-2008 00:08:56 | More by WesWes

Graham5161986

British Columbia (Canada)

3.63/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4.5

A: pours a bright gold with a 1 1/2 finger white head. there is a bit of visible floating sediment. Head retention is decent and it leaves a pretty good lace.

S: strong grassy hops, sweet malts and a touch of minerals

T: grassy hops, minerals, a touch of honey sweetness, bit of a metallic finish

M: light and a tad watery, highly carbonated and a crisp finish

D: This beer is quite easy to drink, it's light bodied and crisp with some decent flavour as well. There are far better lagers out there but I still find this one to be a refreshing beer to throw back. Indeed, it would make a good Oktoberfest beer

Serving type: bottle

02-06-2008 21:36:20 | More by Graham5161986

relapse

Ontario (Canada)

4.22/5  rDev +15.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Looks amber with respectable head retention. Think I smell some noble hops too- enough to give it a slightly skunky smell (and flavour). But it comes across more as spiciness rather than spoilage.

My experience with the style and the region is limited, but if I could find a bunch of German beers at my local shop I would gladly sample them all first. A good intro to German beers if your shop is lacking in selection, it exemplifies the pride Hacker Pschorr takes in their brewing even when it's a less complex recipe.

Serving type: bottle

12-03-2007 22:11:14 | More by relapse

scoobybrew

Iowa

4.1/5  rDev +12.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

This was poured into a pilsner flute from the bottle.

A - Crystal clear golden color with a decent head that settles quickly but is retained in a thin layer well enough

S - sweet honey-like malt aroma, very faint trace noble hop accent

T - crisp, clean light malty flavor, no hops perceptible, but definitely present for balance

M - light to medium body, moderate carbonation

D - nice light session beer, this would be a fantastic 'gateway' beer if it weren't for the price associated, very enjoyable

Serving type: bottle

11-05-2007 03:45:29 | More by scoobybrew