I was in a difficult position. A lifelong New England Patriots fan transplanted to Georgia, it was more than a little awkward wearing my Patriots bling in the heart of Atlanta Falcons country. Normally, that’s not an issue; Georgia is full of transplants. The difference now, though, was that we were playing the Falcons in the Superbowl. Yes, that’s an important distinction indeed.

That divide was further defined when I went to Target to pick up the Samuel Adams Brewnited 12-pack for the big game. When I got there, there was a large display of Samuel Adams beers for Patriots fans and Sweetwater and Terrapin beers for Falcons supporters. I got my Brewnited pack and headed home with two bottles each of:

·         Samuel Adams Fresh as Helles

·         Samuel Adams Hopscape

·         Samuel Adams Boston Lager

·         Samuel Adams Irish Red

·         Samuel Adams Ella Blanc IPL

·         Samuel Adams Noble Pils

 

It’s the Samuel Adams Fresh as Helles that I’m here to tell you about today friends. This is a Munich helles style lager “with orange blossoms & natural flavor added” according to the label. Curiously, there is no description on the neck label as is the customer for Samuel Adams beers, but the website says this:

The soft citrus of orange blossom adds a bright accent to the slightly sweet honey malt notes in this Helles lager, leading to a round, smooth finish.

Ingredients from the website:

HOP VARIETIES: Mandarina

MALT VARIETIES: Samuel Adams two-row pale malt blend

SPECIAL INGREDIENTS: Orange Blossom Petals

Samuel Adams Fresh as Helles has an alcohol content of 5.4% by volume with 18 IBUs. I paid $13.29 for my 12-pack at Target, and my bottle is marked as best before May of 2017. I darnk the bottle from which I did my notetaking on March 2^nd.

Samuel Adams Fresh as Helles pours to a pale golden color with a thick fluffy white head of foam and a fresh flowery citrus nose. Taking a sip, the beer has a soft crisp biscuity maltiness up front infused with slightly herbal, quite citric floral hop notes. It’s very fresh and very refreshing, and finishes with a gentle bitter grassy hop buzz.

I give this one four stars for what it is, and what it is is a delicious and welcome light refresher in this crazy February and March hot weather here in Georgia. The base Helles lager serves as a great platform on which to deliver the gentle orangey citrus notes. This is ultimately a fruit beer my friends, and a pretty good one at that.

Update 3/15/2018: Samuel Adams Fresh as Helles on tap at Taco Mac!. Orange pops in the nose, back in the palate, smooth and creamy with hints of vanilla. Tasty. $5.40

And remember, try a new beer today, and drink outside the box.

*Pricing data accurate at time of review or latest update. For reference only, based on actual price paid by reviewer.

(B)=Bottled

(D)=Draft

 



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