Munich Helles

93 Jahrhundert-Bier, Privatbrauerei Aying (Germany). 5.2% ABV (10/07)

Pure golden yellow color with a lacy head. Rich dough and cream of wheat aromas follow through to a very frothy dryish medium body of clean, rich, honeyed toast and light citrus flavors with a crisp, smooth lingering finish. Great purity of flavor and drinkability.

93 Augustinerbräu Edelstoff Bier, Augustiner Brewery (Germany). 5.6% ABV (10/07)

Yellow golden color with an emerald straw cast. Delicate crusty sourdough bread and citrus marmalade aromas. A round, crisp entry leads to a soft dry medium body of biscuity flavors and a long candied citrus and toasty grain fade. Delicious and easy drinking.

89 Spaten Premium Lager, Spaten-Franziskaner Brau (Germany). 5.2% ABV (11/06)

Yellow golden color. Rich bread dough, dried apple and earthy hops aromas follow through to a dry lightly tart light-to-medium body of toasted apple bread, lemon peel and nut flavors. Finishes with a long grainy dough, sea salt and riverbed-like hops fade.

89 Original Munich Lager, Paulaner Brauerei (Germany). 4.9% ABV (10/08)

Bright golden yellow color. Salty roasted nut, baguette crust and mossy hop aromas follow through on a soft, gentle entry to a dryish light-to-medium body with lemon pith and clay accents. Finishes with a crisp-yet-creamy citrus, melon rind and toast fade. Very refreshing.

89 Munich Gold, Hacker-Pschorr Brauerei (Germany). 5.5% ABV (10/08)

Pure golden color with a lacy head. Toasted nut, bread dough and clay aromas follow through on a round, supple entry to a dryish medium body with lemon soufflé note. Finishes with a crisp, lingering well integrated fade. A delicious and refreshing helles.

88 Stegmaier 1857, The Lion Brewery (PA). 4.9% ABV (11/06)

Pale amber color. Candied apple, honey and puréed golden raisin aromas. A round, supple entry leads to tangy fruity medium body of sweet apple, honey, nut toast and dried citrus flavors. Finishes with a chutney-like, citrus and nut fade of mild hops.

88 Penn Gold, Penn Brewery (PA). 4.7% ABV (11/06)

Pure gold color. Toasted nut bread and margarine aromas. A lively entry leads to a dry medium body of white toast, salted butter and lemon rind flavors. Finishes with a wisp of mild citrusy hops. A very even and quaffable beer.

88 Original Lager, Löwenbräu (Germany). 5.2% ABV (11/07)

Rich golden color. Salt buttered baguette and faint citrus zest aromas follow through to a crisp medium body with a nice interplay of minerality, toasted grain and nuts and dried citrus on the finish. A rock-solid quaffer.

88 Bikini Blonde Lager, Maui Brewing Co. (HI). 4.5% ABV (10/08)

Pale golden yellow color. Fresh baguette, citrus rind and delicate mossy earth and metal ore aromas follow through on a round, crisp entry to a dryish medium body with excellent balance, appealing toastiness and a hint of asparagus. Finishes with a lemon curd, melon rind, faint pepper accented fade. A very nice quaffer.

87 Victoria Lager, Vancouver Island Brewery (Canada). 5% ABV (10/07)

Pale golden color. Nut toast and faint citrus aromas follow through to a frothy dryish, light-to-medium body of dried citrus and multi-grain nut dough flavors with an earthy, tangy finish. Refreshing.

85 Original Lager, Kalnapilis (Lithuania). 5% ABV (11/06)

Sunny gold color. Toasty, citrus and earthy hops aromas. A brisk entry leads to a dryish light-to-medium body of grainy toasty malt, bread dough, lemon rinds with a nice fade of earthy hops and creamy citrus notes.