Style: Helles

ABV: 4.8 IBU: 20.0

98/100

Aroma:	12
Appearance:	3
Flavor:	19
Mouthfeel:	5

Dutchess Ales Ketzer Helles Lager

What the brewers say

Ketzer is brewed with German pilsner malt, just a kiss of Vienna and light Munich, and hopped with selected Perle, Hallertau Mittelfrüh, and Saphir hops.

What our panel thought

Lovely aroma of bread crust, crackery-malt sweetness, honey roll, and spicy-zesty hops. Round, harmonious flavor, with softly sweet pilsner malt blended with a light but evident touch of spicy-grassy hop-bitterness; notes of lemon-lime and bitter herbs. Finishes clean, soft, and dry; zesty bitterness lingers. Crisp carbonation. Classic character. Addictive. Delicious.

What our editors thought

Bread crust and mineral nose evokes a slice of old country—it doesn't shy away from lager-ness while steering clear of polarizing intensity. As it sits and that mineral character blows off, earthy hops and an almost honey-like malt edge bring a toothy heft. The flavor brings more lightly sweet bready notes—less "crisp" in that sense of American oversimplification, and more characterful with complementary hops notes that suggest light citrus and spice. Finishes clean, with an endearing bread and hops balanced linger.

Review printed in: The Rebirth of Cool: Inside the Lager Evolution (June-July 2021) (View All Issues)

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How We Review

REVIEWS FOR YOU >

Bierstadt Lagerhaus Helles

Aroma: “Pleasant spicy noble hops aroma. Pilsner malt and light toast mingle. Not entirely German, but in that ballpark (or Fußballplatz).” Flavor: “Light spicy hops flavor with a touch of wood and bready malt. There’s a light bitterness, but a touch more would increase the crispness. Nice dry finish.” Overall: “Nice malt flavors. Clean, dry finish. Great balance of hops bitterness. Extremely drinkable. Light and refreshing but still full of flavor. It’s a winner.”

Beachwood Brewing Pairs Well With Pizza

“Moderate floral, with hints of rose petal, and earthy hop aroma and flavor with light cracker. Toasted malt with a lingering sweetness pairs beautifully with the hop profile. Bitterness is forward but welcoming and lasts into the delicate finish.”

Utepils Brewing Co Helles

Attractive, brilliant gold. Classical nose: bread crust and dough in gestalt with light herbal hops. Lime-zest note emerges. Doughy malt flavor leans sweet, roundly married to a soft, spicy bitterness. Light, sweet malt note and low bitterness linger together. Dry, crisp finish. Interesting, well constructed, addictive.

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