93 Samuel Adams Alpine Spring, The Boston Beer Co. (MA). 5.5% ABV (11/11)
Minutely hazy old gold color. Bright aromas of fresh baguette, fruit compote, and tapioca with a velvety smooth dryish light-to-medium body and snappy peppery, meringue, toasted nut, and melon-accented finish. A very tasty, hoppy twist on the classic style.
92 Hofbräu Original Lager, Hofbräuhaus München (Germany). 5.1% ABV (11/11)
Pale golden color. Delicate savory aromas of soufflé and baguette with a crisp, dryish light-to-medium body and a grainy, root vegetable and frisee-like hop finish. A spot on, immensely food friendly helles.
92 Ayinger Jahrhundert-Bier, Privatbrauerei Aying (Germany). 5.2% ABV (11/11)
Pure golden color. Aromas of vanilla soufflé and fig pastry with a crisp, smooth, dry medium body and a grainy, peppery, kale-like hop accented finish. Very refreshing.
91 Hell, Privatbrauerei Hofmühl (Germany). 4.9% ABV (11/11)
Deep old gold color. Aromas of buttered baguette and frittata with a supple, dry light body and an effortless toast and radish-accented finish. A fine example of helles.
90 Rahr’s Blonde Lager, Rahr & Sons Brewing Co. (TX). 4.8% ABV (11/11)
Bright golden color. Fresh baked bread and succotash aromas with a supple dry, highly carbonated medium body and a salty polenta and nut finish.
89 Premium Lager, Theresianer (Italy). 4.8% ABV (11/10)
Bright golden color. Bright roasted grain dough, corn bread, and dried lemon aromas with a round, crisp light-to-medium body with a radish, roasted root vegetable and mineral-accented finish.
89 LTD 03, Full Sail Brewing Co. (OR). 5.6% ABV (9/11)
Golden color. Toast and citrus aroma with a hint of okra and cabbage. Dry and medium-bodied with a crisp, food friendly character. Pair with cheeses.
89 Hotter Than Helles, Cigar City Brewing (FL). 5.2% ABV (11/11)
Pale golden straw color with a minute haze. Aromas of peach marmalade on buttered raisin toast with a supple, dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body and a crisp, nicely astringent grassy hop and grain finish. A fun, fruity take on a helles.
88 Stiegl Goldbräu, Stieglbrauerei zu Salzburg (Austria). 4.9% ABV (11/11)
Bright golden amber color. Aromas roasted root vegetables and dried kiwi with a supple dry light-to-medium body and a crisp, grainy, tart green apple and jicama-accented finish.
86 Dock Light Lager, Delafield Brewhaus (WI). 4.6% ABV (11/11) %{Brewpub}
Pale golden color with a minute haze. Delicate corn bread toast and citrus custard aromas with a silky, dryish light-to-medium body and a crisp, lightly vegetal hop and mossy stone finish.
84 Duke Helles, Burleigh Brewing Co. (Australia). 3.5% ABV (12/11)
Golden yellow color. Aromas of succotash, bread crust and fruit yogurt with a supple, dryish light-to-medium body and a banana pudding, jicama and sprouts-accented finish.
83 Black Art Gold, Braustolz (Germany). 4.9% ABV (11/09)
Deep golden color. Delicate aromas of peach butter on bread follow through on a big, frothy entry to a dryish medium body with pronounced wet husky grain and melon notes. Finishes with a fruity accent on a dusty grain and mineral fade.