Andechser Spezial Hell - Klosterbrauerei Andechs

jeffaz02t

Arizona

2.63/5  rDev -32.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

A: dark yellow, but clear, not hazy in the least.

S: Malty, malty, malty. Bread, biscuits. Nothing really special.

T: Has a sweetness, with undertones obread. Slight bitterness, then finishes clean. Not a terrible taste, but not what I prefer from this style.

M: Slight carbination, not too much not too little. Actually the strongest part of this beer. Thin feel to it.

D: Not something I would seek out. I like other beers from this brewery. Compared to their other beers, this is in no way impressive at all.

Serving type: bottle

01-04-2007 21:43:18 | More by jeffaz02t

wl0307

United Kingdom (England)

3.95/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

Bottled, bought and consumed at the Pembury Tavern, Hackney, N. London. BB 02/03/2007, served lightly-chilled in a straight imperial pint glass.

A: dark yellowish hue, crystal clear, a thick and puffy off-white froth dissipates very slowly to a thin cap; fine and constant fizziness.
S: brilliant quality of sour-doughy maltiness upfront, with a faint touch of fruity yeasts, bread, etc... Overall it's malt-dominated, giving out a lovely touch of crushed water biscuits.
T: bitter-sweet bready malts upfront... soothing and tasty; a crisp texture of sour dough helps balance the biscuity sweetness... hops creep up in time, rendering a subtle but utterly pleasant bitterness in the end... at the back of the palate a touch of sour fruitiness also reveals itself, but finished rather clean.
M&D: full-bodied and brilliantly-textured, with ever so soft carbonation to caress the tongue while remaining refreshing and lively... not at all like a 5.9%abv. beer. This is easily the best strong pale lager I've encountered for a long while (apart from its Czech counterparts which I still prefer). A fine and solid product, yet it could be even better (to me) if only the overall malt sweetness softens a little bit.

Serving type: bottle

11-17-2006 17:09:33 | More by wl0307

JohnW

United Kingdom (England)

4.13/5  rDev +5.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Have had this beer many times from bottles obtained at Beer Festivals in UK, but last sampling was on tap at the Andechs Brewery Bar within the Deutscher Kaiser Hotel in Nuremberg in September 2006. On tap, is clear clean and medium gold colour, though not with a great head, thought tight fine white crisp, but did not last too long. Aroma is grassy crisp and sharp but at the same time slightly sweet, typical of the Andech's pale beers. Taste starts very slightly sweet and malty, but the hop bitterness gets you as it slips down the throat. The texture is a little heavier than a normal pilsner type beer, more body, maybe from the hints of malty sweetness in the start. I like this beer very much, it has everything that I like, though maybe at 5.9% a shade too potent for me personally to consider it a session beer - though would be happy to try! It is too long ago for me to be able to compare the taste on tap to that in the bottle, but I know I like it however it comes, and rate it as one of my favourite German beers from Andechs!!

cheers

JohnW
B'ham UK

Serving type: on-tap

10-25-2006 13:26:19 | More by JohnW

greebsnarf

New York

4.4/5  rDev +12.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

On my father's recommendation from his time in Munich many years ago, I visited the Andechs monastary and biergarten with a friend during a month-long tour of Europe this summer, and brought back a few half-liter bottles as a present for dad. He generously split this one with me.

It pours a straw yellow with an interesting mossy green tint, but the very small white head lasts only a few seconds and leaves behind hardly a trace. Warm and inviting, the sweet, hoppy, slightly sour aroma is evocative of pressed apples, oak, and cut grass. An uncomplicated taste of sour cider with a hint of malts refreshes perfectly, with a rich, satisfyingly hoppy finish and an ever-present fizz that never overpowers. It's all pretty subtle so make sure to drink it fairly warm if you want to catch any of the details.

An unassuming, really nice helles to relax with, if you can get your hands on it. I hope I can find another bottle before too long.

Serving type: bottle

09-07-2006 00:22:46 | More by greebsnarf

HappyHourHero

Indiana

4.08/5  rDev +4.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured a short dense white head that fades slowly leaving a few whisps of lace. Clear golden-wheat colored beer is full of tiny rising bubbles. Spicy hops and crisp sweet malt aromas. Lightly sweet pale malt with and earthy bite of hops come together into a tea like flavor. Crisp, with a light fizz in the mouthfeel, and nice sharp bite in the end. A biting, juicy, pils-esque beer. A rereshing beer that isn't just for hot days.

Serving type: bottle

08-27-2006 15:54:42 | More by HappyHourHero

Andreji

Colombia

3.5/5  rDev -10.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

I was fairly unimpressed by this Munchner Helles.

While on a train from Koeln to Brussels, we popped this open with a friend. The pour was rather clear and not too fizzy, golden toned. the smell was weak but rather malty, although not aiming to be too sweet. some floral hop feel could be felt, but it wasn't too elaborate.

The taste was not too impressive, but it was ok. rather weak lager feel, although fairly dense to the mouth. a very good balance between sweet and grainy, the bitterness only felt at the end and not in abundance.

I must say it's not a bad helles, even so, probably the only thing that enhanced its personality was the scenario I tasted it in- not the beer itself.

Serving type: bottle

01-15-2006 23:01:07 | More by Andreji

Pegasus

Texas

3.5/5  rDev -10.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Appearance: Pale golden in color, very clear, a small white head, which fades quickly, leaving scattered foam, and slight carbonation.

Aroma: Light, sweet honey aroma, with slight pepper and spice notes, quite appealing.

Taste: Open with slightly tart malt, an underlying caramel note, and a mild clove note. Midway through the taste turns quite peppery. Finishes with a late wave of maltiness, noble hop notes, and lingering metallic bitterness.

Mouth feel: Fairly full with somewhat harsh carbonation, and a dry finish.

Drinkability/notes: Nicely done, overall a bit heavy-handed with the hops and the mouth feel is a bit rough.

Many thanks to Bill and Marlis for hand carrying this from Germany.

Serving type: bottle

12-29-2005 02:38:23 | More by Pegasus

paterlodie

Belgium

4.1/5  rDev +5.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

BB 04-04-06. Normal white head and a nice golden beercolor. Nose is as malty as a helles should be with some sweetness and litle alcohol. Good nose overal without too much yeastinfluence and very clean without paper or any off tastes found. Litle fine hops also reminding me of perle and halletau. Great taste also being just slight stronger then most helles. Overwelming malts with sweet caracter and further just alcohol, fine hops and cleanest taste. Fine carbonisation makes mouthfeel good. Drinkability is probably best of the beer.... just fine.

Serving type: bottle

11-11-2005 17:30:29 | More by paterlodie

davidchollar

Washington

3.9/5  rDev 0%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

i've had a couple of andechser beers, and they are awesome. for this one i cant be style specific, never even heard of this style.
looks pretty normal, maybe just a touch darker or more yellow pale golden than a typical lager. light carbonation, decent head.
smells good, a nice bouquet here with lots to appreciate, spicy and sweet.
tastes pretty yummy, balanced, kind of bitter finish. I'm still not sure about this style, but for a lager, this is definitely better than the macros. tasty, but i'd prefer a doppelbock ...

Serving type: bottle

11-04-2005 16:03:10 | More by davidchollar

PatYoda

Colorado

4.25/5  rDev +9%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Bottle bought from the monastery about a month and a half ago. This review may not be accurate because I am a little choked up when drinking this. The Andechs monastery is a beautiful place and I miss it.

Appearance is perfect. Golden with a stunning white head that blankets the beer the whole way down in my pilsner glass. Smell is very hoppy. Grassy hops dominate and are backed up by a strong bready smell - this is a doughy, freshly baked bread smell. Taste is more of the same. Malt is pleasantly sweeter than you would expect but is balanced very well by the grassy hops which are a little bit spicy at the end. Mouthfeel is outstanding as with the other Andechs beers. Crisp and refreshing, yet velvety at the same time. At least until close to the end of the glass, when the carbonation fails, which makes it a bit too watery.

I'm drinking by bottle too quickly :o(.

Serving type: bottle

09-27-2005 22:56:24 | More by PatYoda

Sigmund

Norway

3.63/5  rDev -6.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

500 ml bottle, bought in Germany. ABV is 5.9%. Pale golden colour, large and lingering white head. Fruity and grassy aroma, some malty sweetness too. Soft mouthfeel, moderate carbonation, moderate but decent hops well balanced with the pale malts. I am rarely "swept away" by a helles (nor by any other type of pale lagers, for that matter), not by this one either - but the Andechser Spezial is a well made and very drinkable helles, as far as helles go. Kloster Andechs is probably one of Germany’s best breweries overall.

Serving type: bottle

09-01-2005 14:06:10 | More by Sigmund

Skidz

Wisconsin

4.38/5  rDev +12.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Pours out pale straw and sits bright light gold in the glass with a large creamy white head. Fades to a faint skim, some lacings present.

Crisp, crackery aroma with hints of caramel and diced almonds. Solid backing of grassy hops.

Tastes lightly sweet up front, maltiness portioned into saltine doses. Slightest protrusions of alcohol paired with mildly spicy, grassy hops. Finishes with a cleansing, low bitterness.

Crisp to to tongue, but immensly smooth beneath. Solid carbonation, and a light body.

Superb quality, second best helles sampled while in Germany (Augustiner on cask wins out). This bottle, brought back, conjures up many fond memories.

Serving type: bottle

08-19-2005 02:46:12 | More by Skidz

ColoradoBobs

Colorado

3.63/5  rDev -6.9%
look: 2.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

On tap at the monastery, May 31. Reviewed by my wife.

Large white head, that lasted for a while, with good lacing over a clear light yellow body.

Floral yeasty aroma, with a slight back note of citrus.

Moderately bitter taste, and average finish.

Ligh,t soft palate with moderate carbonation.

Overall, a pretty good lager.

Not one of us is a lager fan, however, so coming from this family, this rating is way above average.

Serving type: on-tap

07-31-2005 01:52:43 | More by ColoradoBobs

HardTarget

Texas

3.23/5  rDev -17.2%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Thanks again to Christine’s parents for hand carrying some bottles back from Germany, and to Pegasus for sharing.
Bottle marked 30 12 05

Aroma: Grainy, slightly floral with notes of apple

Appearance: Very clear glass of light gold, nice white fluffy head that collared and lasted

Flavor: A bit harsh in my opinion. Late bittering hops a bit too heavy? A real peppery note that assaults, it’s probably a blend of Saaz and a touch of harsh alcohol. As it warmed a bit the harshness faded and the beer improved.

Mouthfeel: Medium bodied, a bit puckering from bitter, grainy texture and a lingering finish

Overall Impression: Not my cup of tea. Good quality, but the hop/bitterness was over the top to me. The late malt presence helped.

Serving type: bottle

06-26-2005 17:15:36 | More by HardTarget

stcules

Italy

3.13/5  rDev -19.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Full golden color, with some rising bubbles. Beautiful creamy, very creamy head. 1 inch thick, medium persistence.
The smell is very light in the beginning, essentially malt.
The taste is more resolute, with a good and full malt. A lot of malt. Behind, some light hop hint.
Medium body, malty, round.
A lot of malt in the aftertaste too; after some while, it comes back a light hop.
Good hell, not exceptional. Good drinkability.

Serving type: on-tap

01-06-2005 16:51:18 | More by stcules

Naerhu

Japan

3.23/5  rDev -17.2%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Golden body and thin pure white head. Tiny bubbles loosely rising.
Malty unexciting aroma. No hop aroma present.
Mild clean malty flavor with mild bitterness. Slightly sweet without being intrusive. Slightly spicy hoppiness, but you have to struggle to notice it.
Very mild carbonation.
Refreshing but not interesting.

Serving type: bottle

08-11-2004 14:10:40 | More by Naerhu

Crosling

Colorado

4.08/5  rDev +4.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Sampled at the monastery.

Pale.

Mildly aromatic with notes of various herbs, spicy hops and trace maltiness.

Delicious. Smooth, coating and creamy mouthfeel and an excellent example of a style I usually don't enjoy. Throughout is a delicious light fruitiness and a buttery maltiness with lemon, honey, herbs and flowers

Serving type: on-tap

07-21-2004 00:23:38 | More by Crosling

Bourre

France

3.45/5  rDev -11.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

The head quickly fades into a thin white collar on a clear transparent golden color body. The smell is grainy with some skunkiness. The taste is very very grainy with a deep bitter and thick hoppiness. The mouthfeel is a bit more complex than in the Andechser Hell, but it's still not amazing. A veil of citrus, but it's mostly grainy and dry, and not really interesting. I got bored after two sips. Even considering the style is not one of my favorite, I can't find anything exceptional in this watery beer. A disappointment in comparison with the hefe weizen or the bergbock...

Serving type: bottle

05-28-2004 21:33:20 | More by Bourre

feloniousmonk

Minnesota

4.1/5  rDev +5.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Crystal-clear, bright yellow, typical lager apprearance, with a generous, ebullient, snow-white head, gracefully gliding down into a modest ring.
Aroma is clean, yet citric, honeyish, sweet and kind, very nice for a lager.
Taste: huge malt impact on the palate, thick and a touch buttery, little hops tasted, very delicate, and very smooth.
Light in body, but not lacking in the least in taste, light finish, but all in all this acheives a fine objective among lagers in that it's tasty and goes down smooth. That's all that counts in this category, right?
Yum, actually, ...the more this sits in the mouth, the more I have to conclude that it's one of the finest lagers that's ever been there. Just nice, very, very nice. Always that honey/lemon flavor, however mild, but always noticable, and just an eternal reward. Yum, again..thanks, you German monks! I hope to taste your brew again, some sweet day!

Serving type: bottle

05-22-2004 09:49:12 | More by feloniousmonk

Globetrotter

Virginia

4.2/5  rDev +7.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Ahh, Andechs! I was thrilled to see this appear on tap in a previously unremarkable German restaurant. Served in a logo glass better designed for a wheat beer, this pearl came out clear vibrant gold under a two finger white head with great retention and very nice lacing action. The aroma was nice and hoppy, with sweet malt to balance. The mouth was mildly carbonated and slightly cloying. The taste is what it should be: nice smooth sweet malt, chased by a mild but distinct hoppy bitterness. The aftertaste is pure Goldilocks: not too bitter, not too sweet. This is a good beer!

Serving type: on-tap

02-03-2004 19:51:22 | More by Globetrotter

francisweizen

Australia

4/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Listed as 5.9%ABV on this fresh German bottle. This is a classic Helles lager that pours out a very light golden colour with a small white head of foam. The aromas are classic munich malts, light floral hops, and that zesty German spice. The taste is spicy and malty, classic for a German lager. The mouthfeel is spritzy, dry, and clean. The drinkability is great. A great beer from this brewery that sadly does not import their beers to the USA :-(

Serving type: bottle

12-18-2003 15:49:06 | More by francisweizen

rastaman

United Kingdom (England)

3.1/5  rDev -20.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Very pale yellow colour. Sweet malts at the start, with some herbal hops towards the finish, medium bitter finish. A bit uninspiring, but not bad, quite quaffable, i guess i was expecting more, given the other fine beers this brewer is responsible for, but not bad as i said.

Serving type: bottle

09-08-2003 03:29:33 | More by rastaman

Sheldon

Washington

3.65/5  rDev -6.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This German brew is a deep golden clear color with a decent white head that vanished after about four drinks, lace was kind of thin. The aroma is of hops and malt. The taste is hops, malt and a bit grassy with a slightly bitter aftertaste. The mouth feel, I like-seems to be of good body with easy drinkability.

A pretty good beer overall, one that I can’t wait to get straight from the source.

Serving type: bottle

07-13-2003 18:54:39 | More by Sheldon

PatandDavid

Massachusetts

4/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Uh Oh, I did all 4s again...

This is another one from my Andechs stash brought back from D-land.

Clear golden color, pours just like it should with that head right at the line on my Andechs glass. Not an ounce of lace, however. Not an overwhelming smell, but typical for this type of beer. Fairly crisp drinking, a bit more body than the regular helles, it's spicey just like a typical German lager.

A very good beer, although not the most outstanding. Could have an even crisper mouthfeel, imo.

pat

Serving type: bottle

03-18-2003 16:39:19 | More by PatandDavid

Gusler

Arizona

3.83/5  rDev -1.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

The typical lager/pils color a sparkling gold as it sets in my glass, the head majestic in its presence, the color a brilliant white as it deflates, leaving behind a delicate coating of lace on the glass. Crisp clean “Lager” nose with the malt dominate, but also present an underlying musty aroma. As you sample, the semi-sweet front is the precedent to the middling top and the bitingly carbonated finish that combined with the purposeful hop spiciness makes this a “Top Notch” lager. Dry as a bone aftertaste, and quite a pleasure to quaff and that is high praise from this loyal Ale fan.

Serving type: bottle

12-17-2002 12:19:39 | More by Gusler