Judge’s Review: 83 Rating – Wegbier by Moniker Brewery

Munich Helles | Limited Release | USA

By Brian Eichhorn

Judges Rating: 83.00
Aroma: 19.00
Appearance: 5.00
Flavor: 35.00
Mouthfeel: 8.00
Overall Impression: 16.00

Wegbier by Moniker Brewery is being evaluated as BJCP 2021 Style 4A: Munich Helles. In the glass, it’s a faintly hazy deep yellow with a frothy and persistent white head. It is also a touch hazy, which is peculiar. The nose has a tangy twinge to it that is throwing me off a bit. Behind this is a sort of sweet malt with a white bread note to it and a faint capryllic note that adds some complexity, though no real hops are present aside from a suggestion of herbs. On tasting, I’d say it’s straddling that low end line, but has enough malt presence to pull it out of American lager territory and into helles. It’s also a bit sweeter than expected, which impacts its drinkability a touch. That being said, there is a decent level of bitterness to counteract the residual sweetness and bready finish overall. Fairly clean with just a suggestion of some fruity notes, but a pretty solid helles on the whole that could be a bit leaner and maybe a touch more hops to really make it pop.