Helles
Helles or hell is a traditional German pale lager beer, produced
chiefly in Southern Germany, particularly Munich. The German
word hell can be translated as "bright", "light", or "pale".
Flavour profile
Helles-style beers typically are full-bodied, mildly sweet and
light-coloured, with low bitterness. The beer is clear due to
filtration before bottling,[1] although some restaurants and
breweries do offer an unfiltered version.[2][3] Munich-style helles
is a yellow beer brewed using cool fermentation with a lager yeast
such as Saccharomyces pastorianus, bitter hops such as Hallertau
hops, and an original specific gravity (prior to fermentation)
between 1.044 and 1.053 (11 to 13 degrees plato), and between 4.5
and 6% alcohol by volume. Helles has a less pronounced hop
flavour than German pilsner beers.[1]
History A glass of helles
Until the 1960s, Helles was universally available in German-
speaking regions. In many regions, Helles was slowly replaced by pilsner-style beers,[4] which was also
driven by changing consumer preferences from draft beer to bottled beer. In regions outside of Southern
Germany, Helles was regaining popularity in 2010, particularly Berlin, where the beer's traditional image
has become trendy.[5]
Distribution
Helles enjoys great popularity in the Southern German regions of Bavaria, Franconia, and Baden-
Württemberg. It can be referred to as Helles, Spezial, Landbier, "Munich lager", or "export". No clear
distinction is drawn between lager and export, although export typically is closer in style to Dortmunder
Export, which has a slightly higher ABV of 5.5% for extended shelf life.[1]
Examples
Andechser Hell
Augustiner-Bräu Lagerbier Hell
Ayinger Lager Hell
Bayreuther Hell
Chiemseer Hell
Dinkelacker Hell
Erdinger Brauhaus Helles
Flötzinger Hell
Giesinger Münchner Hell
Hacker-Pschorr Münchner Helles
Hofbräu München Original
Kichesippi Beer Co. Heller Highwater
Löwenbräu Original
Oberdorfer Helles
Paulaner Münchner Hell
Spaten Münchner Hell
Schönramer Hell
Stiegl Hell
Tegernseer Hell
Weihenstephaner Original
Ølsnedkeren Sikkert og vist
See also
Beer in Germany
References
1. Jositz, Heinrich (n.d.). "Kleine feine Bierkunde" (https://davidgiacomo.com/kleine-feine-bierk
unde/). davidgiacomo.com. Retrieved 31 August 2022.
2. "Helles & Dunkles: Die besten Berliner Bier-Brauereien, Brauhäuser & Biergärten" (http://ww
w.morgenpost.de/berlin-aktuell/article108440009/Die-besten-Berliner-Bier-Brauereien-Brauh
aeuser-Biergaerten.html). Berliner Morgenpost. 1 August 2012. Retrieved 22 October 2015.
3. Schanzenbräu Hell (http://www.schanzenbraeu.de/biere.html)
4. Geyer, Tim (n.d.). "Pils oder Helles: Wo liegt der Unterschied?" (https://web.archive.org/web/
20151117021635/http://www.derberater.de/genuss-lebensart/trinken/bier/pils-oder-helles-wo
-liegt-der-unterschied.htm). derberater.de. Archived from the original (http://www.derberater.
de/genuss-lebensart/trinken/bier/pils-oder-helles-wo-liegt-der-unterschied.htm) on 17
November 2015. Retrieved 22 October 2015.
5. Baumstieger, Moritz (20 June 2010). "Augustiner in Berlin: Ein Helles, bitte" (http://www.tage
sspiegel.de/wirtschaft/augustiner-in-berlin-ein-helles-bitte/1864594.html). tagesspiegel.de.
Der Tagesspiegel. Retrieved 22 October 2015.
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