Foam Brewers Helles Lager : Beer Review

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Foam Brewers Helles Lager : Beer Review

This brings plenty of biscuity sweetness on the nose accompanied by that dash of honey and spicy, slightly floral hop aroma characteristic to the style. It’s deliciously smooth and sweet on the palate but there’s also a crisp, dry bite at the end that makes it go down super easy. As is to expected with…

Let’s take a look at a whole new take on the good old Helles Lager with a great sample from Foam Brewers. Relatively recent in beer terms, the invention Helles Lager dates back to the tail end of the 19th century in 1894. It was a direct response to the creation of the Pilsner which took Europe by storm with its lightly coloured malts and refreshing noble hop profile. Indeed “Helles” means “bright” or “light” in reference to these new golden malts. 🌾 🍺

Helles Lager : a pint of history

Interestingly, the first Helles was brewed at Spaten Brewery, which at the time was owned by Gabriel Sedlmayer. For avid readers of my blog, Sedlmayer was the travel companion of Anton Dreyer— who invented the Vienna Lager— and the two had travelled Europe learning innovative brewing techniques to take back to their respective home towns. Munichers were not entirely happy with Sedlmayer, however, believing his new beer turned its back on their rich brewing heritage by following new wave trends. Sound familiar? 🤔 😜

Nevertheless, the Helles caught on and was popular across Germany until the 60s, when it was overtaken by its progenitor— the Pilsner—before regaining popularity in its home country and abroad with the craft brewing trend. 🍻

Helles Lager: Foam Brewer edition

One brewery revisiting this style is Foam Brewers with their Minus Times series, which seeks to explore unique styles from across the world. Theirs uses a blend of Vienna and Munich malts, a combination which would make Dreyer and Sedlmayer proud.

More on Vienna Lagers

How to describe Vienna Lager? Let’s start with its sweet caramel notes due to its lightly roasted malts. You’ll also find hints of herbal hops. In the mouth, the overall experience is fresh and delicate, not very bitter: one could also mention a connection with Märzen, a bit stronger and maltier, however.

And when we talk about Vienna Lager, we’re also talking about a lager, so a bottom-fermented beer, which offers a relatively low alcohol content, usually around 5%. The desired finish in the mouth would ideally be dry. What I particularly like about Vienna Lager is that it’s a sophisticated amber – without being complicated – elegant, and easy to approach.

Surrounded by a frothy, airy off-white head with a hint of beige, Vienna Lager never falls into excess or bad taste! Its color is appetizing, and its aromas reveal themselves as soon as you break through that generous foamy collar. It is clear, coppery, rather thin, without heaviness but comforting. But, you see, this miss is complex! Some hints of brioche, spices, too, are noticeable.

This malt, crucial in Vienna Lager, brings « flavors of sweetness, caramel, bread, typical usage of which would be German-style beers, reds, and browns from Flanders » as well. But let’s focus today on Vienna Lager.

Originally from England, Mike Davis came to Quebec ten years ago to study history. During this time he fell in love with the microbreweries of Quebec, which reminded him of English pubs. Now, he holds a Ph.D in History from McGill University, but works in the beer world as the Brand Ambassador for Microbrasserie 4 Origines.

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