Helmar Big League Brew

Brewed by Michigan Brewing Company
Style: English Pale Ale
Webberville, Michigan USA

An earthy orange color with a thin, but standing white head. It has a big buttery aroma. Metallic caramel candy dominates in the flavor. Decent.

Well first off, awesome labels and four pack design, different baseball player on every cap, pretty cool, I also like that it’s a "prohibition style ale" to fit the old time baseball theme, caramel gold bosy with a long lasting lace, sweet malty flavor, fruity, slight hop finish, moderate body, a decent brew.

I was sure that this was a gimmicky drain-pour designed to shilk baseball fans, but was surprised to find it to be a decent brew. It pours a rich amber color with a creamy off-white head. The aroma is malty and fruity. Creamy mouthfeel, this has a good malt-to-hop balance for the style. Tasty, bitter finish.

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Bottle. Slightly hazy golden body with a thin layer of small, white bubbles. The interesting fruity nose isn’t exactly what I’d call pleasing. Lots of green apple, some whole grains, caramel, light, earthy hops and some off-aromas that I can’t quite pin down. The body is thin and unimaginative. The flavor is just as boring with little character. The malt starts off with a bit of sweetness before a relatively strong hop character gives decent bitterness toward the finish. I didn’t expect much and that’s exactly what I got--not much. Nothing I’d drink again.

I liked the baseball concept and the packaging is outstanding. My bottle had a Lefty Grove Label (#6) and a Jimmy Fox cap. However, the novelty of this beer wore off once I tasted it. The beer pours a deep orange color with little to no head. The aroma is hops with some spice and fruitiness (apples mostly). Light bodied, dry, and heavily carbonated. The carbonation overwhelms the harsh hop flavors. I just wasn’t impressed.

Bottle: Clear amber hue with small frothy head and good lace. The aroma has notes of grassy and floral hops, caramel and toasted malts, and mild pepper. The taste starts nicely bitter with a supporting sweet malt balance. The finish is bitter, dry and a touch spicy. The feel is good for the style. Overall, I was surprised that this beer is so good. I expected less from this novelty.

Great color, thin head, very drinkable. I should have picked up a few more from the brewery, as this was a surprisingly good brew. Good balance of caramel and spices, with slight bitterness.

Some lacing and a short lived head. Nice hop undertones. Beautiful orange brown color that makes one's mouth water. I like this one!