Schell's Fort Road Helles

This is a German helles style lager from the August Schell Brewery of New Ulm, Minnesota.  It is the limited release selection in their Biergarten summer sampler pack. Schell's brews a wide variety of beers, both under the Schell's label and as contract brewers.  In addition, they now own and brew the Grain Belt line of beers.  They are the second oldest family owned brewery in the United States (over 150 years and counting).  I think that Yuengeling is probably the oldest family owned brewery.

The beer pours a very clear golden yellow. There is a half-inch of white, fizzy head. It is well carbonated. The aroma is grassy, hay, a touch sweet, a touch floral, bready. The taste follows the aromas directly, just the right mix of sweet bread maltiness, and grassy floral hoppiness. The beer comes to a mostly dry and lightly bitter finish. The beer drinks very easy, smooth, but also with a crisp carbonation. These are the beers where Schell's shines.

2017 and now in a can: The beer pours pure golden. There is over an inch of white, foaming head. The aroma is hay, straw, toasted grain, bread dough. The taste follows the aromas, clean, with a moderate grassy bitterness on the finish. The beer drinks easy, smooth, but with crisp, refreshing carbonation.