The Spaten Premium Lager also goes by the name of Spaten Münchner Hell. In the U.K. the beer is sold under the name Spaten München.
Packaging art for the Spaten Premium Lager (Münchner Hell) by Spaten-Franziskaner-Bräu
Regardless, this beer is a Munich Helles Lager that’s brewed by Spaten-Franziskaner-Bräu, and for the purposes of this craft beer review, the lager was served in a beer mug from a 330 ml bottle.
What You Need to Know
This is the original Helles Lager (more on that below) and of course it follows the German “Purity Laws” with its recipe of only four ingredients. So how is this classic brew? Let’s get to the review.
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Appearance
The lager pours a brilliantly clear pale golden hue and is topped by an inch-thick cap of loose, bubbly white froth that shows fair retention. The head’s reduction doesn’t leave behind any lace or residue. Tiny bubbles are observed rising continuously in the glass.
Aroma
The aroma is pungent with a scent of wet grass and floral noble hops.
Label art for the Spaten Premium Lager (Münchner Hell) by Spaten-Franziskaner-Bräu
Flavor
The palate is led by a taste of cracker and a just a hint of honey. A smack of grassy and floral hops follow. There’s also a bit of peppercorn as well. The bitterness is brief and is mellowed slightly with honey and bready malt.
Mouthfeel
The tasting is smooth throughout with a medium body and moderate carbonation. Bitterness is mild at best and its finish is soft, rounded, and dry.
The Original Munich Helles Lager
The style was originally created in Munich back in 1894 at the Spaten Brewery. The beer was crafted to counter the popularity of pale Pilsner-type beers. And now the Helles is currently the most popular beer style consumed in Southern Germany.
Overall
The head retention isn’t on par with better representations of a Helles Lager but otherwise its appearance is fine. The aroma is strong and enticing. Its feel is right on point with the what you’d expect from the style. The flavor is right on point as well with its balanced palate of malt and hops.
Overall, the Spaten Premium Lager is light, refreshing, and its easy to see why this beer has been around for over 100 years.
Recommended Pairings
Spaten-Franziskaner-Bräu recommends chicken, pork, and buttery cheeses as food pairings with their Spaten Premium Lager.
It has a smooth taste, and little or no aftertaste. It has a full texture to it, which allows to be enjoyed slowly, like any lager should be.