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Tom Brady Has Purchased An Ownership Stake In The Las Vegas Aces

The Las Vegas Aces have had quite the past 12 months, as they won their first championship under first year head coach Becky Hammon, with A’ja Wilson collecting her second MVP award in the process.

This offseason, they added Candace Parker in what has become a two-team arms race with the New York Liberty, who added Jonquel Jones, Breanna Stewart, and Courtney Vandersloot to create a clear top-two in the WNBA entering the 2023 season. On Thursday, the Aces made another big name addition, but this time to their ownership group, as Mark Davis and the team announced the recently retired Tom Brady has purchased an ownership stake in the team. Both Davis and Brady released statements on his acquisition of a stake in the team.

“Since I purchased the Aces, our goal has been to win on and off the court, explained Davis. “Tom Brady is a win not only for the Aces, and the WNBA, but for women’s professional sports as a whole.”

“I am very excited to be part of the Las Vegas Aces organization,” said Brady. “My lovefor women’s sports began at a young age when I would tag along to all my older sisters’ games – they were by far the best athletes in our house! We celebrated their accomplishments together as a family, and they remain a great inspiration to me.

“I have always been a huge fan of women’s sports, and I admire the work that the Aces’ players, staff, and the WNBA continue to do to grow the sport and empower future generations of athletes. To be able to contribute in any way to that mission as a member of the Aces organization is an incredible honor.”

Davis is among the “new-money” WNBA owners, in that he purchased the Aces fairly recently and, like Joe Tsai in New York, has a very different approach to spending than some of the long-time WNBA owners. Those factions have started butting heads over things like player travel, with Tsai and Davis pushing to change league rules that disallow teams from providing chartered flights to games. The addition of Brady figures to only add to what the Aces will be able to do financially, as well as giving them another big name to promote the team.

Given the recent growth of the WNBA, it wouldn’t be surprising to see more ownership moves in the near future as more people are starting to view the league as a unique investment opportunity in sports considering the opportunity for continued growth, where buying in now could pay considerable dividends in the future.

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Cameron Crowe Will Pave Paradise To Put Up A Joni Mitchell Biopic

When he got the chance to conduct a dream interview with Joni Mitchell for Rolling Stone in 1979, Cameron Crowe led off by asking her if there were any myths about her she wanted to dispel. She answered that, “I do have this reputation for being a serious person. I’m a very analytical person, a somewhat introspective person; that’s the nature of the work I do. But this is only one side of the coin, you know. I love to dance. I’m a rowdy. I’m a goodtimer. Mind you, I haven’t seen too many good parties since I left my hometown. People go to parties here mostly to conduct business.”

Genius. Poet. Desperate for a good shindig.

Hopefully that personality shines through if Crowe and Mitchell get their biopic off the ground. According to Above the Line, the pair have been collaborating to bring her life story to the big screen. From the report, it sounds like that collaboration is akin to a ghost writer relationship with Mitchell advising and providing input while Crowe is the one putting pen to paper with plans to also producer and direct.

If they can get the project off the ground and into production, it would mark a return to feature filmmaking for Crowe, whose last film was 2015’s Aloha. Although his Roadies series at Showtime was cancelled after one season, acting as conduit for Joni Mitchell‘s autobiography sounds firmly in Crowe’s personal, creative sweet spot. With any luck, they’ll be able to announce that it’s all happening.

(via Above the Line)

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Elton John Only Recently Learned The True Meaning Of His 1972 Hit ‘Rocket Man’ Thanks To Its Co-Writer

In the more than half-century since “Rocket Man” first shot its way to the top of the charts, it would be safe to assume that Elton John has performed the song hundreds — if not thousands — of times. The tune has become so synonymous with the artist that it was used as the title of the 2019 John biopic. But it turns out that the singer-songwriter had no idea what he was warbling about.

As NME reports, John and his longtime songwriting partner Bernie Taupin recently sat down to discuss their famous collaboration, including “Rocket Man.”

“‘Rocket Man’ was our first-ever Number One record I think,” John explained. “It was a pretty easy song to write a melody to because it’s a song about space so it’s quite a spacious song.”

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That’s when Taupin chimed in with a story that surprised even John:

“It was actually a song inspired by Ray Bradbury from his book of science-fiction short stories called The Illustrated Man. In that book, there was a story called The Rocket Man, which was about how astronauts in the future would become sort of an everyday job… so I kinda took that idea and ran with it.”

A surprised John admitted: “Do you know, I never knew that.”

Do “Tiny Dancer” next!

(Via NME)

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Beyoncé And Adidas Reportedly Have Mutually Agreed To End Their Ivy Park Partnership

Beyoncé and Adidas have mutually agreed to end their partnership, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Beyoncé will retain ownership of her Ivy Park brand.

It was first reported in February that the partnership was troubled; according to internal earnings documents reviewed by The Wall Street Journal, the Ivy Park brand had underperformed under Adidas to the tune of a $200 million loss. When the partnership was first signed in 2019 after Ivy Park moved from TopShop, it was expected that Beyoncé’s name would bring in the sales — however, while Adidas expected $250 million in sales, it only brought in around $40 million.

The Journal‘s also reported creative differences between Adidas and Parkwood, the title under which Beyoncé operates her disparate business ventures, as fans expressed their disappointment in the Ivy Park offerings over the past year. According to THR, “Beyoncé is excitedly looking to reclaim her brand, chart her own path, and maintain creative freedom” of the brand going forward.

The end of the Ivy Park partnership is the latest in a string of rough patches for Adidas over the past year, as well. In October of 2022, Adidas also ended its partnership with Kanye West after the rapper made a series of antisemitic remarks in several interviews. The company’s CEO told the company early this year that Adidas is projected to lose nearly $1.3 billion in sales of Yeezy merchandise, although it also reached an agreement with him to sell remaining inventory without the Yeezy branding.

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Bartenders Reveal The Single Best Sips Of Tequila They’ve Ever Had

Whether you’re a fan of bourbon, dark rum, gin, vodka, or tequila, have you stopped to consider all the sips you’ve tried over the years? It’s not a simple task — though you likely only remember the sips that were truly awful and a few of the most amazing ones.

Today, we’re much more interested in the latter than the former. The sip that changed everything. Specifically, we’re talking about a single sip of tequila that bartenders deem their “best ever.”

Keep reading to see all of their timeless picks!

Mijenta Blanco

Mijenta Blanco
Mijenta

Ricardo Cubais, director of food and beverage at Zachari Dunes on Mandalay Beach in Oxnard, California

ABV: 40%

Average Price: $40

The Tequila:

The best sip of tequila I’ve ever had is Mijenta Blanco. The name “Mijenta” is a reference to the Spanish phrase “mi gente” which translates to “my people”. This flavorful, sustainably-produced tequila was crafted to be enjoyed with “your people”.

Tasting Notes:

Mijenta Blanco has some nice notes of honey and the small batch refinement process really enhances the flavor of agave. It’s a very sippable tequila too.

Tequila Ocho Plata 2020 La Loma

Tequila Ocho Plata 2020 La Loma
Tequila Ocho

David Tyda, co-owner of BARCOA Agaveria in Phoenix

ABV: 40%

Average Price: Limited Availability

The Tequila:

Tequila Ocho Plata 2020 La Loma. One of the best sips of tequila I’ve ever had was the La Loma batch Tequila Ocho Plata. It was affordable enough to be your daily driver. The kind of tequila you’d sip on a Tuesday or make a margarita with, but knockout delicious enough that you could break it out during parties and blow people away with how refined and elegant it was.

Tasting Notes:

It was extremely agave forward but had citrus, brightness, a little pepper, and this kind of mouthwatering quality to it.

Patrón El Alto

Patrón El Alto
Patrón

Donny Largotta, beverage director at Gansevoort Meatpacking in New York City

ABV: 40%

Average Price: $180

The Tequila:

Patrón El Alto is undoubtedly my favorite tequila to sip. I’ve always been a fan of reposados because they are so easy on your palate, and there isn’t any lingering after-burn.

Tasting Notes:

One sip of El Alto gives hints of caramel, vanilla, and dried fruit. It’s one of the cleanest yet smoothest finishes from a tequila without any mixers needed.

Fortaleza Winter Blend

Fortaleza Winter Blend
Fortaleza

Charles Crisp, beverage manager at InterContinental in San Diego

ABV: 45.7%

Average Price: $115

The Tequila:

One of my favorite tequilas would definitely be Fortaleza Winter Blend. Only about 11,000 bottles were bottled at cask strength of 92.6 proof. The tequila is aged in American Oak for six months, then matured for a final six months in used French Oak Marsala wine casks.

Tasting Notes:

The final result features notes of baking spice, butter, vanilla, and herbs with a toffee-like finish. This is the perfect sipping tequila for any special occasion.

Siete Leguas Reposado

Siete Leguas Reposado
Siete Leguas

Guillermo Bravo, bartender at Vol. 39 in Chicago

ABV: 40%

Average Price: $60

The Tequila:

Siete Leguas Reposado. I had it a very long time ago and I remember thinking, “this is what aged tequila is supposed to taste like.” Not those overly vanilla bomb tequilas. It’s supposed to have previously used bourbon barrel notes. It’s not supposed to taste the way the candle aisle of a Walmart smells.

Tasting Notes:

Fairly herbal with subtle notes of caramel, cracked black pepper, and wintry spices. Spicy, sweet, and highly sippable.

Codigo 1530 Origen

Codigo 1530 Origen
Codigo

Garth Poe, bar manager of Easy Bistro & Bar in Chattanooga, Tennessee

ABV: 40%

Average Price: $300

The Tequila:

Codigo 1530 Origen. This extra a ñejo tequila is aged six years and has tons of character from the barrel. This brand distills from 3 times the amount of agave used in normal tequila production which results in a slightly sweeter product while remaining additive free.

Tasting Notes:

This tequila is bursting with bold flavors like toasted vanilla beans, cinnamon, dried fruits, cracked black pepper, and rich oaky wood.

Tequila Ocho Plata

Tequila Ocho Plata
Tequila Ocho

Adnan Kahn, food and beverage director at FireLake Grill House & Cocktail Bar in Chicago

ABV: 40%

Average Price: $50

The Tequila:

I always love Tequila Ocho Plata. This 100% Blue Agave tequila is known for its collectability as the label reveals the year each batch was made as well as the field where the agave was harvested. This single-estate tequila is just as flavorful as it is collectible.

Tasting Notes:

It features very crisp, clean, pepper and citrus notes. It’s a highly flavorful, nuanced tequila you’ll crave after only one sip.

Siembra Azul Reposado

Siembra Azul Reposado
Siembra Azul

Stephen Hood, assistant food and beverage operations manager at The Notary Hotel in Philadelphia

ABV: 40%

Average Price: $70

The Tequila:

I would have to say the best sip of tequila I had would have to be Siembra Azul. The blanco is amazing however the Reposado is in a league of its own. If I’m out and I’m in the mood for tequila and I see Siembra Azul I’m going for it.

Tasting Notes:

This highly complex tequila is known for its aromas of vanilla beans, oak, and cracked black pepper and a palate of cooked agave, caramel, vanilla, cinnamon, and oak.

Fortaleza Blanco Still Strength

Fortaleza Blanco Still Strength
Fortaleza

Alex Barbatsis, head bartender at The Whistler in Chicago

ABV: 46%

Average Price: $55

The Tequila:

When it comes to tequila, I like it strong. Fortaleza Blanco Still Strength comes in at a whopping 46% ABV, much higher than most sipping tequilas. This blanco comes right from the still and into the bottle. A little goes a long way, so a bottle will last you a long time. It also works great as a small dose in a cocktail. Try adding a 1/4 oz to your next margarita, you’ll be wowed by the results.

Tasting Notes:

This complex tequila is earthy, herbal, vegetal, and filled with flavors like cooked agave, vanilla beans, cracked black pepper, and citrus zest.

Tapatio 110

Tapatio 110
Tapatio

Will Krepop, beverage director at Wiggle Room in New York City

ABV: 55%

Average Price: $56

The Tequila:

Tapatio 110. At 110 proof with a great peppery spice to it, it absolutely shines in citrusy tequila cocktails. This is the highest proof allowed in the tequila world and it still manages to be complex, flavorful, and highly warming.

Tasting Notes:

Awesome notes of cinnamon and black pepper compliment a core of cooked apples with a hint of caramel.

Siete Leguas Blanco

Siete Leguas Blanco
Siete Leguas

Alex Cuper, beverage director at El Che Steakhouse & Bar in Chicago

ABV: 40%

Average Price: $55

The Tequila:

I think my favorite sip of Tequila I have ever had was Siete Leguas Blanco. It is very sentimental to me for many reasons. The broadest reason is that it was the Tequila that showed me you can sip a blanco tequila without it tasting disgusting and bitey. I also had it for the first time with one of my best friends in the world, who explained to me that he and his dad and family would sip this in Mexico at the end of long days, and that is pretty much what we were doing at the restaurant we worked at the first time I had it.

Tasting Notes:

It is such an expressive and bright tequila with great lime a salinity quality but also carries a richness that I adore. It is not a “lean” tequila.

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Tommy Wiseau’s ‘Room’ Follow-Up, ‘Big Shark,’ Features, You Guessed It, A Giant Shark In Terror Mode

Even if you haven’t seen The Room, you probably know what it is, or what it isn’t, because it’s not a very good movie. But it’s one of those cult favorites with a fanbase that grew over time and steadily made Tommy Wiseau a god-like figure for campy movies. And you know, he’s gonna do it again!

It might seem surprising, but Wiseau actually hasn’t made another movie since The Room in 2003. He will often host screenings of The Room around the country, but he had yet to make a feature-length follow-up to his “hit” movie, that is until Big Shark, the upcoming disaster film about a giant shark. He has done some voice acting, though.

Big Shark is not a sequel to Big Fish, though that would have been a really good concept. Instead, Big Shark seems to take the idea of Jaws with the CGI budget of Sharknado and mix it with…Rocky, maybe? It’s actually kind of hard to tell. The movie follows three firefighters named Georgie, Patrick, and Tim (good firefighter names) as they battle a…big shark. That’s really all the information that has been provided, but it gets the point across.

Wiseau himself stars alongside Isiah Laborde and Mark Valeriano. While the movie was originally rumored to star Wiseau’s friend and Room collaborator Greg Sestero, it seems like does not appear in the trailer. Hopefully, there is no bad blood between them, as they already have a pretty rocky relationship as is.

Big Shark (the more you read it, the more the title just makes sense) will get a limited release this summer in various cities across the country: New Orleans on April 28th and 29th, San Francisco on May 5th and 6th, Los Angeles on June 2nd and 3rd and in New York City on August 10th, 11th and 12th. A perfect lead-up to Shark Week.

Check out the trailer for Big Shark above.

(Via Variety)

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Melania Trump Is Reportedly Still ‘Angry’ About The Stormy Daniels Affair And Has No Sympathy Over The ‘Arrest’ Fallout

As Donald Trump awaits a possible indictment for his alleged hush money payment to Stormy Daniels to cover up an affair with the adult film actress, Melania Trump is reportedly still angry about the fact that her husband apparently cheated on her shortly after she gave birth to their son Barron. According to a new report, the former First Lady is attempting to remain positive, which involves not engaging with her husband’s current legal troubles.

“She remains angry and doesn’t want to hear [the alleged hush money payment] mentioned,” a source told PEOPLE. “She is aware of who her husband is and keeps her life upbeat with her own family and a few close friends.”

As for whether Melania is concerned with her husband being arrested, like her infamous jacket, she doesn’t seem to care. “She doesn’t sympathize with Donald’s plight,” the source told PEOPLE before detailing how the couple are keeping up appearances at Mar-a-Lago:

While the source tells PEOPLE that Melania and Donald live in separate quarters of their Mar-a-Lago estate, the two are still often spotted eating dinner together or attending events at the private club.

“She does very well with all of her socializing duties,” the source continues. “They still see friends for dinner at the club, but live separately and do what they want on their own. They don’t spend that much time together.”

It should, however, be noted that part of Trump’s legal defense is to claim that the hush money payment was not related to his presidential campaign, and therefore, isn’t a violation. Instead, a former attorney for Trump claims that he was worried about Melania learning about the affair and leaving him.

Although, a public divorce would’ve been bad for Trump’s campaign, too, so not exactly the best strategy.

(Via PEOPLE)

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Female Pro Surfers Share Their Favorite Breaks And What To Do While You’re There

While the ocean remains untamed, the precision and balance needed to carve towering wave faces and dance inside roaring barrels represent more than just a professional sport. They are the pillars of a unique art form all its own. While soccer is often called “the beautiful game,” surfing certainly deserves a shout-out in that conversation, too.

And just like soccer, surfing is global. While certain countries are deeply associated with certain sports, beaches are everywhere and so are great waves — making pro surfers excellent travel ambassadors. From the coasts of Australia to the shores of Hawaii, there are plenty of barrels to ride and people to meet along the way.

On the World Surf League 2023 Championship Tour, surfers travel the globe riding the best waves on the planet (while taking plenty of time to chill). We got the chance to ask eight female WSL CT surfers about their favorite breaks and what they do (besides surfing) while they’re there. Check their answers under the video!

Bettylou Sakura Johnson (HAW) – Hale’iwa Beach (North Shore, Oahu, Hawaii)

Bettylou Sakura Johnson, surfing
World Surf League

My favorite break to surf is probably my home spot of Haleʻiwa Beach (North Shore, Oahu, Hawaii), it’s one of my favorite waves in the world and I grew up on that wave. I like that it’s very powerful and it’s a very strong, dominant wave. You have to match its power of it or you won’t be able to surf the wave as well as it offers. I always have a good time no matter the current out there, so that’s what makes it so beautiful.

Other than surfing, I love just hanging out with friends on the beach and fishing and diving. That’s also the main barbecue spot for families there because it offers the perfect gathering spot.

Brisa Hennessy (CRC) – Swimming Pools (Mamanucas, Fiji)

Brisa Hennessy, surfing
World Surf League

My favorite break to surf would probably be in Fiji at this perfect right hand point break called Swimming Pools. I love the area, it’s where I live part time and it’s very simple living. It has everything you need: ocean, salt, sand, clarity, warm water, and it just brings the best out of you.

When I’m not surfing there, I like to snorkel, stand-up paddle, kind of everything that involves the ocean. It’s a place where I feel the most relaxed and calm, it’s a special place for me.

Courtney Conlogue (USA) – Teahupo’o (Tahiti, French Polynesia)

Courtney Conlogue
World Surf League

My favorite break to surf is Teahupoʻo (Tahiti, French Polynesia). For me, I just really love the beauty of the wave and the power. There’s something about the energy and the lineup that is just amazing. It’s very powerful yet graceful at the same time. It’s the perfect balance.

It’s also a great area for fishing and cruising around.

Isabella Nichols (AUS) – Jeffreys Bay (Eastern Cape, South Africa)

Isabella Nichols
World Surf League

I think Jeffreys Bay (Eastern Cape, South Africa) has got to be my favorite wave to surf. South Africa is just so beautiful, the culture there is amazing, the wildlife, the waves are insane, the food is incredible, and the people are just beautiful too.

Outside of the water, I like to go on safaris, find great places to eat, go around and find new breaks, and hang out with some really good friends I have over there and have some authentic South African barbecues.

Lakey Peterson (USA) – Jeffreys Bay (Eastern Cape, South Africa)

Lakey Peterson, surfing
World Surf League

On tour and throughout the entire world, my favorite break would have to be J-Bay (Jeffreys Bay, Eastern Cape, South Africa). I love that wave and the place. Any right hand point break is kinda gonna be my favorite. The overall environment and aliveness of it all kinda reminds me of West Oz (Western Australia) the same culturally. There’s so much happening, the ocean is alive, the animals are alive, and it’s thriving. It’s a beautiful place.

Africa definitely has a special place in my heart. When I’m not surfing, I’ll usually go down to Cape St. Francis for the day and hit up some good cafes and play some golf. Obviously, the safaris are always a great option for fun things to do.

Sophie McCulloch (AUS) – Stradbroke Island (Queensland, Australia)

Sophie McCulloch, surfing
World Surf League

I love some places at home on the sunshine coast, there are a lot of fun beaches. Otherwise, I love going to Stradbroke Island which is also in Queensland. They can be really peaky and fun with short paddle outs. You can do a little bit of everything, get tubed or do some cool turns. It allows you to tap into your creative side on the water.

The lifestyle on Stradbroke is also really nice — there’s a big coffee culture. You can go for an early surf because the sun rises really early. The climate is nice and temperate most of the year. I’m always so grateful when I’m able to be back there in my home.

Tatiana Weston-Webb (BRA) – Teahupo’o (Tahiti, French Polynesia)

Tatiana Weston-Webb, surfing
World Surf League

My favorite break to surf is probably Teahupoʻo (Tahiti, French Polynesia) because it’s very beautiful and it has always felt like a home away from home. It’s one of the most gorgeous places ever.

There’s not much to do there besides surfing, haha. But if you’re really looking for something else outside of the wave, there are great locations for workouts, hanging out with friends and watching the sunset, and playing soccer on the lawns.

Tyler Wright (AUS) – Fiji

Tyler Wright, surfing
World Surf League

Fiji has some cool waves. The waves, water, culture, and people there are all amazing.

When I’m not surfing… Basically, you can do anything to do with being in the ocean here. There’s great: swimming, snorkeling, fishing.

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Here Are The Ultra Music Festival Set Times For 2023

Ultra Music Festival — one of the biggest EDM-centric festivals in the US — returns this weekend with a lineup headlined by some of the genre’s biggest names, including Martin Garrix, Marshmello, and Swedish House Mafia. The Miami-based festival begins this Friday, March 24 at Bayfront Park, and continues through to Sunday, March 26. The set times for all seven stages at the festival were announced earlier this week, and you can check those out below.

Friday, March 24, the festival begins at 4:00 pm and runs until midnight. On Saturday, March 25, the gates will open at 12 noon, with headliner Marshmello taking the main stage at 10:45 pm. Finally, on Sunday, the festival will end at 10:00 pm, with Swedish House Mafia closing things out at 8:45 pm.

This week’s event marks the second Ultra Music Festival since the long-running festival — first established in 1999 — was canceled in 2020 in response to the global COVID-19 pandemic. Likewise, the 2021 event was also pulled due to concerns of a rise in cases of the novel coronavirus. The festival resumed in 2022 with an attendance total of 165,000 and a lineup including Kygo, Martin Garrix, Nina Kraviz, and Gareth Emery. Hardwell closed out the festival.

The Ultra Music Festival website currently touts general admission tickets as “99% sold out” but that still leaves one percent for latecomers. Check out the website for more information and see the set times below.

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Helles Lagers To Get You In The Spring Spirit, Ranked

As the winter winds down, we find ourselves thinking fondly of the spring weather on the way and all the refreshing beer that comes with it. But with rain across the nation, sunny days and green grass still seem to be some way off, so we decided to get a jump on spring beers instead. And today that means sipping on the best Helles lagers.

Helles or Hell are popular German lager beers that are widely available in the southern parts of the country, especially Bavaria. While the word hell means something completely different in English, when it’s translated to German, it means pale or light. And that’s exactly what these refreshing, easy-drinking lagers with a touch of sweetness are. They’re so popular in Europe that countless American brewers have also tried their hand at crafting these crisp, full-bodies lagers.

Known for their complex, well-balanced, thirst-quenching flavor profile, Helles lagers are great beer for spring — meaning the time is right to start stocking up on these bangers. Keep scrolling to see eight of our favorites, ranked on overall flavor and thirst-quenching quality.

8) Sly Fox Helles Golden Lager

Sly Fox Helles Golden Lager
Sly Fox

ABV: 4.9%
Average Price: $10 for a six-pack

The Beer:

This 4.9% German-style lager is brewed with German-sourced pilsner malt as well as Hallertau and Saaz hops. The result is a crisp, dry, surprisingly complex, sessionable spring beer.

Tasting Notes:

A classic, soft, and bready lager nose of cereal grains, honey, citrus zest, and lightly floral hops greets you before your first sip. The taste is similar albeit muted. Lemon, grass, light cereal grains, and lightly bitter, floral hops. Overall, it’s a decent, if not unexciting beer.

Bottom:

If you’re looking for a light, almost watery lager, this is a good choice for you. If you’re looking for more flavor, head further down the ranking.

7) Helles Schlenkerla Lagerbier

Helles Schlenkerla Lagerbier
Helles Schlenkerla

ABV: 4.3%

Average Price: $5 for a 500ml bottle

The Beer:

Schlenkerla Helles is one of those beers that, when you crack it open, makes you feel like it probably tastes the same way it did when it was brewed the first time hundreds of years ago. Using the same brewing equipment as the more popular Schlenkerla Smokebeer (thus adding some smoke to this beer), it’s crafted to be a classic Bavarian-style Helles lager.

Tasting Notes:

The aroma is surprisingly smoky with honey, grass, biscuit-like malts, and floral hops. On the palate, you’ll find lemon zest, honey, more fresh cut grass, biscuit malts, and light smoke. The finish is dry, bitter, and smoky. It’s definitely not for everyone.

Bottom:

This is a unique Helles lager and this is both a good and a bad thing. If you’re up for trying a lightly smoky lager, grab this one. If you’re more interested in a classic Helles, veer away.

6) Two Roads Cruise Control

Two Roads Cruise Control
Two Roads

ABV: 4.8%

Average Price: $11 for a six-pack

The Beer:

Two Roads Cruise Control is listed on the label as an “easy-riding” lager and that’s exactly what it is. This award-winning, 4.8% ABV Helles-style lager is known for its simple, clean flavor that is reminiscent of the lagers brewed for centuries in Germany.

Tasting Notes:

Traditional aromas of clover honey, biscuit-like malts, grass, hay, and floral, herbal, lightly piney hops make up the nose. Drinking it reveals more biscuit malts, fresh grass, dried hay, honey, and floral, Noble hops. The finish is lightly bitter and spicy. It’s a decent beer, but overall a little thin.

Bottom:

Two Roads Cruise Control is a very flavorful Helles-style lager. It’s just a little lighter and thinner than we’d prefer.

5) Utepils Helles

Utepils Helles
Utepils

ABV: 5.1%

Average Price: $10 for a four-pack of 16-ounce cans

The Beer:

This Munich-style Helles lager is as traditional as it gets in the American craft beer world. It’s golden in color, simple and balanced in flavor, and loaded with Pilsner malts as well as Bavarian-grown hops from the capital of the hop universe: Hallertau.

Tasting Notes:

Bready malts, honey, grass, caramel malts, and floral hops make up a very welcoming-yet-subtle nose. The palate is filled with notes of brown bread, honey, citrus zest, and floral, herbal, Noble hops. The finish is crisp, sweet, and lightly bitter.

Bottom:

This beer is clean, crisp, and very easy to drink. If we didn’t know better, we’d assume this was actually a German beer.

4) Buoy Helles Lager

Buoy Helles Lager
Buoy

ABV: 5.3%

Average Price: $12 for a four-pack

The Beer:

While summer drinkers save the Helles lagers for the warmer months, Buoy makes its award-winning Helles-style lager available all year long. Brewed with Pilsner malts, and Magnum hops, it’s cold fermented and lagered for five full weeks.

Tasting Notes:

On the nose, you’ll find scents of freshly baked bread, wet grass, lemon zest, cereal grain sweetness, and floral, earthy, herbal hops. On the palate, you’ll find caramel malts, freshly baked bread, citrus zest, hay, and Noble hops. The finish was dry, crisp, sweet, and lightly bitter.

Bottom:

This isn’t the most spectacular lager ever made. But it’s crisp, refreshing, and does just about everything right.

3) Tucher Helles Lager

Tucher Helles Lager
Tucher

ABV: 5%

Average Price: $8 for a four-pack of 16-ounce cans

The Beer:

Tucher might not have the name recognition in the US like other German brewers, but that shouldn’t stop you from trying this epic Helles lager. This unique lager is a blend of oak-aged Helles lager as well as fresh lager. The result is a complex, highly refreshing, memorable lager.

Tasting Notes:

Complex aromas of freshly baked bread, sweet honey, cereal grains, and lightly spicy, herbal, floral hops start the nose off right. The palate continues this trend with cereal grain sweetness, yeasty bread, honey, toasted grains, grass, oaky wood, and floral, Noble hops. The finish is dry and pleasantly bitter.

Bottom:

Tucher Helles is a unique, highly drinkable Helles lager. The oak-aged portion gives it more depth than many of the others on the market.

2) Von Trapp Helles Golden Lager

Von Trapp Helles Golden Lager
Von Trapp

ABV: 4.9%

Average Price: $11 for a six-pack

The Beer:

You might recognize the Vonn Trapp name from ‘The Sound of Music’. And, to answer the obvious question, yes, it is the same family. They opened a lodge in Vermont decades ago and eventually started a brewery. Known for traditional, European-style beers, its Golden Helles is one of its best. Known for its crisp, dry, refreshing flavor, it’s brewed with Pilsner malt as well as Perle and Tettnanger hops.

Tasting Notes:

The nose is surprisingly light but effective with freshly baked bread, toasted grains, citrus zest, honey, and herbal, floral hops. The palate is a symphony of pilsner malts, yeasty bread, caramel, lemongrass, hay, and floral, lightly piney hops. The finish is crisp, dry, and highly refreshing.

Bottom:

This German-style Helles lager is as simple as it is delicious. It’s not overly complex and bogged down by flavors. It’s crisp, snappy, and very thirst-quenching.

1) Weihenstephaner Helles

Weihenstephaner Helles
Weihenstephaner

ABV: 5.1%

Average Price: $11 for a four-pack of 16-ounce cans

The Beer:

Weihenstephaner touts itself as the long, continuously operating brewery in the world with its genesis in the year 1040. In the almost 1,000 years since the brewery has perfected a few beers. While it’s well-known for its Hefe Weissbier, it also makes a really great Helles lager. Although it’s quite a bit younger than some of its counterparts, first being released in 2020. It’s 4.8% ABV and gets its flavor from the addition of hops from Hallertau and Bavarian malting barley.

Tasting Notes:

This beer smells the way you imagine a well-made lager to smell. There are prevalent notes of yeasty bread, honey, light citrus, and a ton of floral, Noble hops. It really draws you in for more. Sipping it brings forth flavors like pilsners malt, cereal sweetness, honey, orange peels, yeast, and more floral, herbal hops. The finish is dry and totally refreshing.

Bottom:

Weihenstephaner’s take on the classic Helles might not have the same history as some of its German counterparts, but it’s a full-flavored, highly complex beer you’ll want to stock all spring and summer long.