Baron Helles Bock

Picked up a single 22-oz bomber at Bottleworks in Seattle, WA. Pours a semi-clear golden light amber colored brew with a fast dissipating off-white head that leaves behind a thin white ring. Aroma of fruity caramel malt, a hint of bread dough and some floral hops. Taste is medium bodied, some tart apple, caramel and floral hops. Finish is semi-sweet with a floral hops and bread dough aftertaste that has a hint of tart fruit.

I’ve been on a bit of a German kick lately and when I found this German styled bomber pretty cheap I figured I’d give it a shot...big mistake. Cloudy orange pour with sediment. Smells off, tastes off...brutal.

Hmm, I kinda like Baron even though they seem to struggle to make something really good... I mean, an American brewery with nearly 100% German styles, that’s all you could ask for... the passion is there but I don’t think the talent or control is there. So this one I got as an extra in a trade and was pretty excited to try it, but it’s pretty much a let down in every aspect that we beer geek judge a beer. The look is muddy and clouded, depressing when I was hoping for a properly filtered and bright amber colored body. Being unfiltered, the yeast completely clouds all of the good qualities of this beer, with a arcid and acidic sourness, the flavor and smell or moldy, fermented bread loaves... there’s some red apple, some vienna and maibock like caramel and crackers, but it’s all washed over with this tingly, flabby yeast. Difficult to finish.

Bottle Poured deep gold with thin fast dissipating white head. Sweet malty aroma. thin body, a little malt, a little hop. Fast leaving finish, a tiny bit of hop. Not unpleasant, but not a real winner either. But hey, it’s no. 500

Pours a golden color. Nice bready sweet malt aroma. Malt heavy lager with a touch of alcohol. Pretty sweet with a moderately clean finish. This didn’t do much for me really.

Bomber from John’s Marketplace in Portland, OR. Coppery color with a minimal white head. Light fruity aroma. Medium body with sharp carbonation. Flavor has a touch of sourt/tart, lightly roasted caramel, and is dry and mildly fruity in the finish. Rather clean, and surprisingly different. They nailed the color and the body, but sweetness is mild. Works for me. There’s a bit of sweet, but it is definitely checked by the tart. Tart, fruity hop?

Slight fruity and spicy nose. Hazy gold amber with medium head. Lemony sweet, some rosemary and burnt honey, slightly tart and bitter, seems a little off-balanced. Light carbonation, slightly heavier bodied, finish is citrusy, with just a hint of biscuit taste. I expected to like this more than I did, not horrible, just does not seem well put together.

Clear amber with little head. Spicy, peppery dry malt aroma. Smooth light/medium body. Mild flavor is dry sourdough malts with spicy peppercorn. A decent beer but not flavorful enough to hold my interest for an entire glass.