Ayinger Jahrhundert-Bier

[steveh]

BA & BJCP call this a Dortmunder, I respectfully disagree as I think it's more Munich Helles -- a fine line to walk, but this beer doesn't seem to have the mineral & hop character that most Dortmunders have -- and Ayinger *is* in Bavaria (and the label says, "Helles Exportbier" & Century Celebration Bavarian Lager).

Pours a pale straw yellow with a long, long lasting, creamy white head.

Vague DMS up front of the aroma with mild hop citrus character. Sweet breadiness -- near yeasty -- back. A light presence of that Melanoidin character that we're trying to define.

Flavor of soft, mildly sweet bready malts with mild, spicy bitter hops in between. Finishes with a lingering breadiness that is very appetizing -- the palate cries for more. Some spicy hoppiness in the aftertaste that adds to a dry finish.

Soft and smooth mouth-feel; light carbonation, with a light-medium body.

Very good drinkability. I was afraid that this bottle may have been past prime, based on where it was purchased, but it's damn good.

S.

[BrewDog]

Gonna have to try this one.

[corysdad]

Luckily, the Jahrhundert is fairly available
around here and will revisit soon.

Is there an Ayinger product that's not
top notch? I haven't found one.

[steveh]

Is there an Ayinger product that's not
top notch? I haven't found one.

I was thinking of that as I was drinking this, but I've had less-than-optimal Ayinger Okto in the past. Although I think that was more a fault of the store owners than the brewery.

"All 'dis other Aeenger stuff is available year 'round, isn't the Oktoberfest?"
Uh -- prolly not in July -- and I'd probably try to refresh the stock now that it's a new Oktoberfest season.

Stuff was just bad, and I couldn't understand why everyone was raving about it.

S.

[MeridianFC]

I would agree that the Jahrhundert is a Helles plain and simple.

Ayinger is definitely a mark of quality brewery, and while I don't go so far as to dislike their Festbier, I definitely reach for other brewers for that one particular style.

[beerking]

IIRC, Jahrhundert used to be listed as a commercial example of Helles on the BJCP guidelines a few years back.
Don't know why the change, although I must admit that when we had it at our beer club meeting this last Sat, I thought it was a bit drier, and maybe even a little hoppier than I remembered.
I did not find the minerally character I expect from an export, but the hopping level seemed pretty close.
I find it to be kind of in between that two styles now.

[steveh]

I thought it was a bit drier, and maybe even a little hoppier than I remembered.

It definitely has a dry finish, but not like I'd expect from the likes of a DAB -- which always came across as dry throughout, to me.

The biggest hint toward a Helles I can point to in the Jahrhundert is the smooth breadiness in the middle -- very nice stuff.

S.