It is very hard to brew a good lager, like the good Helles style famously brewed in Bavaria. I've been on a mission every time I come to the US to find good Helles, and I found two places that get very close:
But quite often even if they advertise the beer as German style Helles, it has some quality that makes it very different. Usually it's sweet or even hoppy. I think for an american a special beer should have a special taste, but a good Helles is just very fresh and crisp beer.
Edit: and Becks is one of the worst beers in Germany in my opinion... At least nobody tries to sell overpriced Sternburg here.
Yes "sweet or hoppy" sums it up so well. I've been traveling a lot to the USA the last few years and whenever I bring this up at the inevitable craft brewery we end up at the Americans think I have no sense of taste in beer.
But they're all the same and horrible. They've been brain washed.
It is very hard to brew a good lager, like the good Helles style famously brewed in Bavaria. I've been on a mission every time I come to the US to find good Helles, and I found two places that get very close:
This place in Seattle: https://maps.app.goo.gl/czPMtm4xkunkopEc8
And this in Weaverville: https://maps.app.goo.gl/wuNS33EcQ1qC9zfb9
But quite often even if they advertise the beer as German style Helles, it has some quality that makes it very different. Usually it's sweet or even hoppy. I think for an american a special beer should have a special taste, but a good Helles is just very fresh and crisp beer.
Edit: and Becks is one of the worst beers in Germany in my opinion... At least nobody tries to sell overpriced Sternburg here.
Yes "sweet or hoppy" sums it up so well. I've been traveling a lot to the USA the last few years and whenever I bring this up at the inevitable craft brewery we end up at the Americans think I have no sense of taste in beer.
But they're all the same and horrible. They've been brain washed.