The European book of beer styles is nothing if not diverse, offering plenty of variety in colour, aromas and flavours. You'll find sour, tart, yeast-driven, bitter, fruity, roasty, malty, clean and crisp.
The Helles falls into the latter part of that list: a style that is tricky to master, giving a brewer nowhere to hide faults or off characters, yet a must for a brewery that champions European styles. Brightstar’s Helles lifts the bar for the style in Australia, and has proven to be a favourite far and wide. This could be credited to the experienced brewer at the helm, Steve Brockman, or the premium ingredients that go into it, or the minimum six weeks lagering time the beer is given in tank, or the experience that comes with enjoying it from one of the venue's straight-to-tap fresh serving tanks. Or maybe it's a combination of all of that.
Poured straight from the tank, it takes on a golden yellow colour with a slight haze and a brilliant white head. Fresh white bread and a little biscuit present through the aromas, promising a refreshingly clean lager. The bready aromas continue into the flavours, with some subtle light toast, while there's some malty sweetness that dries out completely across the palate as the beer lives up to its early promise.
Matt King
