BJCP Style 5C - German Helles Exportbier

Tags

standard-strength pale-color bottom-fermented lagered central-europe traditional-style pale-lager-family balanced 

Aroma

Low to medium hop aroma, typically floral, spicy, or herbal in character. Moderate grainy-sweet malt aroma. Clean fermentation profile. A slight sulfury note at the start that dissipates is not a fault, neither is a low background note of DMS.

Appearance

Light gold to deep gold. Clear. Persistent white head.

Flavor

Neither grainy-sweet malt nor floral, spicy, or herbal hops dominate, but both are in good balance with a touch of malty sweetness, providing a smooth yet crisply refreshing beer. Balance continues through the finish and the hop bitterness lingers in aftertaste (although some examples may finish slightly sweet). Clean fermentation character. Some mineral character might be noted from the water, although it usually does not come across as an overt minerally flavor.

Mouthfeel

Medium body, medium carbonation. Smooth but crisp.

Overall

A pale, well-balanced, smooth German lager that is slightly stronger than the average beer with a moderate body and a mild, aromatic hop and malt character.