The Duck-Rabbit Craft Brewery “Vorfreude”

Style: Munich Helles
ABV: 4.7%

Paul Philippon, founder of The Duck-Rabbit Craft Brewery, has been known as being “the dark beer specialist” since he opened the brewery in 2004, and it’s very rare that they produce a beer that you can see light pass through. Consequently, it was a huge deal (and a surprise) when we saw their announcement of a new Munich Helles release, named “Vorfreude.” The German word Vorfreude roughly translates in English to “joyful anticipation,” which aptly sums up our emotions leading up to our recent trip to the brewery. Our excitement was not exclusively a result of getting to try this new beer, but also who we got to try it with: none other than Paul Philippon himself! We were fortunate to steal Paul away from his busy schedule to sit down with us for an interview, all while enjoying a pint (or two) of “Vorfreude.” The interview will be released next Thursday, July 7th, on our podcast, Secondary Fermentation, so stay tuned for that episode! In the meantime, check out our review of the new Munich Helles from Duck-Rabbit.

Joe’s Take

What better beer to try first when you’re at the dark beer specialist than a… Munich Helles? In all seriousness I was really excited to try this beer because if there is one thing Duck-Rabbit is known for (other than Milk Stout), it’s making great beer. So when Paul and the crew took another step out of the dark side I knew it was something I had to try. “Vorfreude,” the beer in question, was a brilliant honey gold color in my pint glass (and my pilsner glass at home too). The beer was crystal clear with gentle bubbly carbonation rising from the bottom of the glass. The helles sported a pillowy white head that remained persistent throughout my tastings. Overall, it looked like a tall glass of refreshing flavor.

Malt, spice, and everything nice came through on the aroma, and by spice I mean hops. The smells emanating form the glass were malt-forward, leaning toward the biscuity end of the spectrum. There was a subtle sweetness that was accompanied by a dash of earthy and slightly spicy hops. Although the aroma was not overly powerful, it really made me thirsty for the balanced flavorful beer to come.

The mouthfeel of this beer make it very versatile in my book. It was medium-bodied, moderately carbonated, and somewhat drying on the finish. This combination of sensations make it both refreshing enough for a hot Farmville, NC day and satisfying enough to stand up to a cold winter’s eve. The carbonation hit just enough to create a crisp sensation without overpowering the rest of the experience.

Although the mouthfeel was pleasing, flavor is where this beer earns its name. I found myself with a sense of “Vorfreude” every time I went back to take another sip. As expected, the beer was full flavored and malt-forward. However, the hops poked their heads up here a bit more than they did during the aromatic evaluation. Their herbal, spicy, earthy, and slightly bitter characteristics balanced the beer out perfectly. I personally enjoyed the slightly bitter finish and the malty biscuit and bread crust flavors that lingered after each sip.

Unsurprisingly, I found this beer very drinkable and one that lends itself as a great everyday option. I know the four pack I picked up from the brewery will not last very long at all (as it stands there is only one left). I’ll certainly be picking more up as it hits the shelves so I’ll have a little something to look forward to on the coming scorching summer days.

Nick’s Take

When we arrived at the brewery, we were immediately greeted by Paul and Rocky, one of the taproom servers. There was no deliberation about getting a pint of “Vorfreude” to enjoy alongside Paul while we sat down for our interview, and I didn’t wait for us to get situated outside before I start checking out this Helles. When you’re at Duck-Rabbit and get a clear, gold beer, you certainly do a double-take. This beer was crystal clear and had a nice golden sheen to it in the dim indoor lighting (and was better demonstrated in the sun shining outside). There was a thin collar of foam that stuck around briefly but had dissipated by the time we reached a small table outside.

Even though a Helles is a light-colored lager, it is still very much malt-forward, which keeps it aligned with the other beers in Duck-Rabbit’s lineup. However, the malt characteristics certainly differ. “Vorfreude” had a subtle malt presence, with whiffs of biscuit and sweetness. It almost reminded me of a fresh biscuit with a spread of honey on it. Overall, it was pretty subdued in terms of aroma but certainly pleasant.

To no one’s surprise, I’m sure, I didn’t wait to take a swig of this tasty-looking Helles – I had taken a couple good sips inside the taproom almost immediately after Rocky had handed us our pints. It was a light-to-medium bodied brew that had showcased an appropriate level of carbonation. The bubbles were crisp as they coated all my taste buds – a refreshing mouthfeel for sure. Still, it managed to have a soft and smooth finish, making it all-around pleasant, and great for a hot day.

The malt flavors were on par with the subtle aromas I mentioned earlier. That nice, sweet biscuity malt was balanced with just enough hop presence to make for a beer that was not too sweet. It drank super clean and finished on a crisp, dry note that encouraged me to finish the pint quickly. Luckily, Rocky noticed we were empty and she hooked us up with a refill to get us through the second half of our interview with Paul.

I can’t think of anything that could make this beer any more crushable. The Munich Helles is a style that is known for refreshing attributes such as a crisp, dry finish, a balanced and light (yet malt-focused) flavor, low ABV, and smooth mouthfeel. “Vorfreude” checked all these boxes. The experience itself was also a treat, making the beer taste even better. I was glad that we got a 4-pack of cans to take home so that I could enjoy this again (which I happen to be doing as I type this). This is a perfect selection for the summer if you want to stick to lagers but want something that is brewed with attention to detail and superb ingredients. The crew at Duck-Rabbit knows what they’re doing, whether it’s their typical dark beers or a pale German lager like “Vorfreude” Munich Helles.