Ayinger Jahrhundert

Brewed by Brauerei Aying
Style: Dortmunder/Helles
Aying, Germany

My all-time favourite Munich style Helles.

This is one of the best "light beers" that I have had. Very light straw color. Head lasts, but not that thick. Rich malt flavor has been refined through years of practice. Add in a touch of hops. These guys once again show why they are the best.....

Nice tarnished bass color. Short-lived but adequate head. Aromas of sweet grass, earth, stones, and a trace of sourdough. Flavor is well-balanced but I noted lime, rye bread, caraway. Good carbonation, medium hops and slim malt. Good mouthfeel. Great daily drinker.

This is one fine brew! Pouring the beer throws a large , dense, white head. The color is a hazy yellow. Classic "Bavarian" taste. Reminds me of Spaten helles, or Wurzburger helles, but, MUCH better. I would love to replicate this beer in a homebrew recipe, but, those lager yeast strains are a pain to work with. Those Bavarian folks are sure lucky to have these sorts of brews available as every day beers!

Had at Ayingers. They tapped a Wooden cask of this stuff the night we were there. Served similar to a cask ale- in that it was almost no carbonation yet a huge white head and left great lacing. However it was served relatively cold compared to a cask ale, which is good for a helles i guess. THis is a lot better than thier regular helles though. Much smoother, and a lot more flavor and a fuller body. Very sweet lightly caramelized malt with a hint of continental hops in the aroma and in the aftertaste. One of the smoothest and most drinkable of all Helles lagers, which is saying a lot since almost all helles are very drinkable. I’ve had many helles in the 3 weeks I was in europe and this one stood out to be the best by far. Great beer.

Update: Wow. There are a lot more hops in here than I noticed before--not even close to overdone, but simply wonderful. A terribly light colored beer, with nice cloudiness. Nearer to Kraftbrau Helles (or even Herold Svetle) than it is to any other Bavarian examples. Awesome. Old: A study in pale malt. There's lots of it here presented in a creamy body. As per the style, not much in the way of hops. Instead, this one relies on a gentle dryness for a very kind finish.

Amazing nose--sweet and intensely hoppy--Saaz? Tettnang? This beer is what Prima Pils is trying to be--an amazing balance of crisp, slightly floral hop flavor with a delicate fruity malt undertone. Great, full mouthfeel, dangerously quaffable stuff.