Kurpfalzbräu Helles |Plankstadt, Germany
Another Helles. Out of 7 brews 3 have been Helles. After opening top of the box to free yesterday’s brew I saw a Helles that was featured in the Man Bag. Not sure if drinking a helles every few days allows me to appreciate which ones are more appealing or make comparisons as to which I like better (not all stouts are created equal). I’m not going to spend the time filling out a silly scorecard so I can rank them and use some nebulous score to determine which I liked better.
So, here goes. Pale straw color (like a helles). Clear as can be (like a helles). Yummy real cold. An edge of bitter hoppiness but not on the tongue. A bit of sweetness on the tip of the tongue. Not an after dinner drink because you’ll be too full to enjoy. Maybe later in the evening. Very pleasant mouthfeel. Not spectacular but a very relaxing sipper while watching Colbert (on the DVR). .A little bready as it warms up. Sweetness is gone when it warms.
It’s a Helles. it is labeled as “Brewed according to the German Purity Law of 1516” which to me typically it will have a similarity to other German beers brewed under The Reinheitsgebot.
So I found their website. They have an English version but this one beer’s description is still in German so I had to turn to Google Translate.
“KURPFALZBRÄU HELLES. THE BEER FROM THE KURPFALZ
The original Kurpfalzbräu Helles tastes good and quenches thirst. Traditionally brewed in the Electoral Palatinate. Light yellow, clear, bottom-fermented beer with a firm head. Defined by a fine malt note on the taste, accompanied by a subtle bitterness on the palate.”
I looked up Kurpfalz and it’s a region in Germany that was known as the Electorial Palantinate. So this beer has local ties that someone like me couldn’t comprehend. This brewery has been producing beer for 260 years. Most of the beers I enjoy are from breweries that are less than 10 years old and whose flavor profiles change everytime they expand their capacity. That’s a lot of history and a lot of tradition. I would never be able to taste (or appreciate) the traditional ingredients or methods that someone from the area could.
I also see where they use the Kurpfalzbräu label on a Weizen, Kellerbier and a Radler to make their traditional brews. The others they list are “craft beer” like an IPA, a Pale Ale and a Citra Helles. So they are expanding on their roots.
So, pretty good helles. I just hope tomorrow is something a bit different.
Brewery:
