Dutchess Ales Ketzer Helles Lager
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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.
