One Helles of a beer.  Okay, I know that was predictable, but name five people who wouldn’t have made that joke.  If you actually can name five, you are around people who are too serious.

Seriously, though, one Helles of a beer.  In this case, Helles means blond or blonder than their dark version of the beer.  Both are 14%, which was once the strongest beer in the world.  This beer hails from Austria and is a little harder to find than its counterpart (but not too hard). 

Upon the pour, the beer was very golden in color with little head retention.  Being somewhat barley winish in approach, this is not suprising. 

Having said the above, the beer was very winish in aroma with a very fresh and malty smell.  There were also apples and pears in the aroma…and, of course, alcohol.  Even though this section is short, there was a lot going on in this beer.

Now for the tasting.  There was very long and alcohol-driven taste to this beer.  It was extremely malty ande grainy.  Dry wine and hard alcohol (tequila pepper) were among the most notable features to the beer.  There was a thickness to the beer that is rarely rivaled. 

I found this beer to be a very pleasant drinking experience.  Let me warn you: you have to be in the mood because this beer is not for everybody.