Hacker-Pschorr Edelhell
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.