All About Beer Magazine - Volume 34, Issue 1
March 1, 2013 By

Rivertown Brewing Co.

Cincinnati, OH

Our Helles Lager is a true symbol of our German heritage. A rich, crisp, full-flavored, Bavarian-style lager brewed with imported German barley and hops. Best served at 38 degrees F in a tall pilsner glass.

ABV: 5.1

ABW: 4.0

Color: 3.9

Bitterness: 18

ORIGINAL GRAVITY:  1050

Availability: IN, KY, OH, TN

Helles is German for light, appropriately named. Bright yellow ale with greenish tinge. Scant head with faint nose. Brewed with German malt, the flavor and mouthfeel are round and balanced with a little acidity at the back of the palate. Fruity bouquet notes. Recommended with organic radishes and truffle salt, freshly baked pretzels and chicken or duck roasted on a spit.
- Charles Finkel
A classic American made German-style helles. Crystal clear golden brew with a head that dissipates; easier to find your way to the beer. It has the sweet malty aroma and flavor of a traditional style of Bavarian beer. Rivertown’s helles is as good as any modern German helles brewed by the most popular German breweries. It lacks the hop personality and yeast character of small, countryside-brewed Bavarian helles I usually seek, but if you’re looking for a taste of German helles, this is one worth seeking. Best enjoyed half or a full liter at a time under the shade of a chestnut tree.
- Charlie Papazian

Charles Finkel
Founder of Merchant du Vin and the Pike Brewing Co., Finkel is a pioneer in the marketing of craft beers in America.

Charlie Papazian
Author of the New Complete Joy of Homebrewing, founder of the Great American Beer Festival and a Beer Examiner at www.examiner.com. Papazian is a leading voice in beer and brewing.