Leben Helles Lager

Leben Helles Lager by Great Falls Brewing Co. is being evaluated as a Munich Helles (BJCP 2021 Style Guidelines, Category 4A). It pours a light golden color that sits underneath a bone white head of fine bubbles that’s relatively persistent. Clarity is lacking a bit as it’s mostly clear but not brilliant.

The first sniff of the beer is malt-forward with restrained grainy malt, a bit of cereal and a nice honey quality. Low floral hops with a hint of black pepper appears as the beer warms. It’s cleanly fermented with no off-flavors nor esters.

Upon tasting the beer, the same notes in the aroma are presented in the flavor. Light/moderate grainy, cereal, straw malt starts the flavor but the moderately low hop bitterness provides support. Cleanly fermented. Light floral and peppery hops add another level of intrigue. The only detraction is a very light perfume quality the more this is imbibed.

Leben Helles was a solid beer from Great Falls. One of the hallmarks of the style is to be an easy-drinking style. Leben hits most of those attributes, but at the end of the pint, I’m left with too much malt that is balanced by too much bitterness. A solid beer but with a bit too much going on for the style.