Henninger lager

[G.M. Gillman]

From Frankfurt, which Michael Jackson early on typed as a non-specific German beer area, i.e., not known for one or more styles, which does not prevent this beer from being a very good blonde lager - when fresh. This sample is from the black can currently available at TBS.

When it first came in about 6 months ago it was over-aged IMO, with a strong taste that sometimes German beer gets when stored too long after packaging.

In contrast, this current canning is almost draft-like in freshness and throwing rings in the glass. The taste is correspondingly much better, with a complex Noble hop note, medium body and quite a notable yeast background. Unlike many German lagers, I don't get any DMS or hydrogen sulphide, there is another thing happening with this yeast though which I recognize from other beers, not necessarily German, hard to describe but it works well with the pale malt and mineral/herbal German hops.

Most German imports here are not nearly as good as this is right now - if I buy the same can in month, not sure it will be as good. No time like the present.

Gary

P.S. There is perhaps a faint connection to Henninger when it was brewed in Hamilton under license, but suffice it to say this original is much better.