Aroma
Pleasantly grainy-sweet, clean Pils malt aroma dominates. Low to moderately-low spicy noble hop aroma, and a low background note of DMS (from Pils malt). No esters or diacetyl.
Appearance
Medium yellow to pale gold, clear, with a creamy white head.
Flavor
Slightly sweet, malty profile. Grain and Pils malt flavors dominate, with a low to medium-low hop bitterness that supports the malty palate. Low to moderately-low spicy noble hop flavor. Finish and aftertaste remain malty. Clean, no fruity esters, no diacetyl.
Mouthfeel
Medium body, medium carbonation, smooth maltiness with no trace of astringency.
Overall Impression
Malty but fully attenuated Pils malt showcase.
History
Created in Munich in 1895 at the Spaten brewery by Gabriel Sedlmayr to compete with Pilsner-style beers.
Comments
Unlike Pilsner but like its cousin, Munich Dunkel, Helles is a malt-accentuated beer that is not overly sweet, but rather focuses on malt flavor with underlying hop bitterness in a supporting role.
Ingredients
Moderate carbonate water, Pilsner malt, German noble hop varieties.
Vital Statistics
| IBUs | 16 – 22 |
| SRM | 3-5 |
| OG | 1.045 – 1.051 |
| FG | 1.008 – 1.012 |
| ABV | 4.7 – 5.4% |
Commercial Examples
- Weihenstephaner Original
- Hacker-Pschorr Münchner Gold
- Bürgerbräu Wolznacher Hell Naturtrüb
- Mahr’s Hell
- Paulaner Premium Lager
- Spaten Premium Lager
- Stoudt’s Gold Lager