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Kloster Andechs Vollbier Helles Lager

Kloster Andechs logo

Kloster Andechs is an active Benedictine Monastery located outside Munich, Germany.  Andechs has a long history of brewing and is still considered to be one of the best of Munich’s breweries.  They’ve recently started appearing in the United States delighting fans of German beers and Monastic beers alike, which I count myself in both camps.  If you’d like to learn more about Kloster Andechs and its history, you can do so at “The Brewing Monks: The Benedictine Breweries.”  You can also learn more about history of monastic brewing by reading “The Brewing Monks: A Brief History of the Trappist Order and Monastic Brewing.”

Their Vollbier Helles represent’s the breweries everyday blonde lager.  It’s not as hoppy as a Pilsner, but is more about the interplay of the grain and hop character to create a balanced and refreshing, easy-drinking lager.  I was excited to see this beer arrive in Portland.  As I’ve been spending a lot of time researching monastic breweries, I’ve stoked my interest in trying these monk-made beers.  Some of them are very limited in their distribution scope and distribution.  I’ll certainly be working to try the rest of their beers as I see them!

Kloster Andechs HellesAppearance: Blonde/Gold, white head, good retention with an excellent bead.

Aroma: Grassy, floral, dried herbs, touch of zest.

Taste: Grain bite, light herbal hops, grassy notes.

Overall Impression: Very velvety mouthfeel, crisp, refreshing and balanced.  This is an excellent example of a Bavarian Helles Lager.  It’s crisp and refreshing without drifting too much towards graininess.

Availability: In limited locations as their footprint in the US grows.  They’re imported by S & H Brands.

4.8% ABV

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