Hofbräu München Hofbräu Original is the flagship golden lager of the famed Munich brewery.
Hofbräu München Hofbräu Original
By Bill Lau | Potable Pastime
Helles lager, 5.1% ABV, 24 IBU
Staatliches Hofbräuhaus, München, Germany
There’s something to be said for a classic helles lager – balanced, clean, drinkable, refreshing, yet delivering flavor and substance. This and the pilsner are the basis of the mainstream American lagers that have dominated the beer landscape for so many years. Yet the mass market lagers fall utterly short of the Truth.
What is that Truth you say?
That beer should satisfy all of the senses – sight, sound, smell, taste, touch – and the soul. Well crafted beer does this. And a good helles lager can be an epiphany.
Next time you have a beer (whatever beer it is), really engage yourself in the experience. Sit back. Pay attention. Engage all your senses. What do you perceive? How does it make you feel? What images come to mind? Can you picture it’s land of origin?
Try that process with this beer and let me know what you think in the comments.
Prost!
Check out these reviews of other beers:
Grainworks Helles Real is a German-style lager brewed in collaboration with Norden (FC Cincinnati) supporter group.
Narragansett Lager is a truly crushable American classic lager – in more ways than one!
Czechvar Czech Lager is known in many countries outside the US as Budweiser Budvar for its town of origin.
Pilsner Urquell is the original golden lager that ultimately changed the world starting in 1842.
Hofbräu München Hofbräu Original
Pours out a lovely, clear straw-golden hue topped with snowy-white foam. Looks like the perfect image of a lager.
Classic German lager aromas – spicy-floral hops and lightly toasty malt. Similar to a pilsner in general character, but slightly less intense.
Listening in, I hear crisp clicking and popping of tiny carbonation bubbles. (You may get an odd look from someone seeing you listening to your beer, but let ’em stare. Fred Eckhardt was cool with it!)
Body is right around medium; definite substance and mouthfeel but very drinkable. Carbonation level is just right.
Crisp, grainy and lightly toasted malt with earthy and spicy hop presence. Starts slightly sweet but balancing bitterness joins in quickly. This accentuates the hoppiness and leads into a slightly resinous finish. The flavors are clean and pure overall.
Definitely shows kinship with pilsners, yet it stands apart with a tad more malt and less intense bitterness. Beautifully crafted, flavorful lager.
I close my eyes and I’m in a biergarten in Munich in the summer; dappled sunlight filters through the trees and dances on the ground. A pleasant, warm breeze kisses my skin. All is right with the world.
That’s what I’m talking about!
Can’t miss with a Reuben sandwich, wurst platter, burgers or pizza. All-around a very food friendly beer.
Disclosure: The author has received no reimbursement or compensation for this article. All opinions and remarks are those of the author alone.
A Potable Pastime 
