Heritage Helles
Arches Brewing
Story by:
Bev Blackwood
Munich Helles
Limited Release
Georgia
United States
Judges Ratings 88
Aroma: 21 / 24
Flavor: 35 / 40
Appearance: 6 / 6
Mouthfeel: 8 / 10
Overall Impression: 18 / 20
Description
Heritage is a pale golden German lager with a slightly sweet bread and honey malt character that starts in the aroma and lasts all the way through the finish. This beer’s grain bill consists mostly of a specially imported Bavarian barley that Epiphany has masterfully malted into the perfect pilsner malt in their state of the art 10-ton malting facility. Epiphany is a science-focused malting operation in Durham North Carolina, who works directly with farmers to select regional grains grown especially for their qualities in germination.
Beverage Profile
ABV: 4.80%
IBUs: 17
Served at: (40 – 45º F)
Hops: Perle, Tettnang, Hallertauer Mittelfrueh
Malts: Riverbend German Type, Riverbend Light Munich
Judges Review
By Michael Bury
Judges Ratings 88
Aroma: 21 / 24 / 24
Flavor: 35 / 40 / 40
Appearance: 6 / 6 / 6
Mouthfeel: 8 / 10 / 10
Overall Impression: 18 / 20 / 20
Heritage Helles by Arches Brewing is being evaluated as a Munich Helles (BJCP 4A). It poured with a burnished golden color, brilliant clarity and a wispy head of white foam. Malt dominates both the nose and the flavor and presents as hay, grain, cereal and a hint of toast. Low floral hops are present and the beer is cleanly fermented with off-flavors or esters.
In the flavor, the malt continues its dominance despite moderate hop bitterness. However, after a semi-dry finish, that same herbal bitterness lingers too long into the aftertaste and detracts a bit from high levels of drinkability. No esters in the taste either, but the sweetness of alcohol begins to creep in as consumption is increased… a bit too much for style, in this judge’s opinion.
Arches Heritage Helles is quite a tasty beer but maybe not quite to style. The higher level of perceived alcohol and lingering bitterness make it feel more “Americanized” than the delicately crafted German counterparts. Nonetheless, the beer was thoroughly enjoyed.
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