Helles
Bierstadt Lagerhaus


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- From:
- Bierstadt Lagerhaus
- Colorado, United States
- Style:
- Lager - Helles
Ranked #11 - ABV:
- 4.9%
- Score:
- 91
Ranked #6,366 - Avg:
- 4.12 | pDev: 6.8%
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- May 07, 2022
- Added:
- Aug 12, 2016
- Wants:
- 5
- Gots:
- 1
SCORE
91
Outstanding
91
Outstanding


Notes:
We get that color is an oversimplified way to describe a beer, and a Helles can often be dismissed as yellow and fizzy. What it should be is the purest expression of malt in any brewer's portfolio.
Our Helles is around 5% abv so it shouldn't leave you unable to defend your views on politics and religion. We often find those things are the only things worth talking about anyway. The people that say "you shouldn't discuss such things because it's rude" aren't drinking enough Helles.
Our Helles is around 5% abv so it shouldn't leave you unable to defend your views on politics and religion. We often find those things are the only things worth talking about anyway. The people that say "you shouldn't discuss such things because it's rude" aren't drinking enough Helles.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
4.14 by HarlotBronte from District of Columbia on May 07, 2022
3.99/5 rDev -3.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.75
by lordofthewiens from New Mexico
The beer is a clear gold color with a white head that fades rapidly. A little bit of lace.
Aroma is grassy and floral.
Taste follows the nose. There is a late hop presence.
Light-bodied, crisp.
Very drinkable.
Apr 03, 2022
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.75
by lordofthewiens from New Mexico
The beer is a clear gold color with a white head that fades rapidly. A little bit of lace.
Aroma is grassy and floral.
Taste follows the nose. There is a late hop presence.
Light-bodied, crisp.
Very drinkable.
Apr 03, 2022
4.03/5 rDev -2.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by Jwale73 from Rhode Island
16oz. Can served in a willibecker. Pours a lovely straw gold with a loose, 1/8th inch, off-white head that gradually dissipates. Clarity is crystal clear. Nose is bright and clean - grassy notes and hints of noble hops. Taste follows nose with some fruity esters coming out at the finish. Mouthfeel is light in body with a sharp carbonation. Overall, drinkable and well-crafted.
Mar 17, 2022
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by Jwale73 from Rhode Island
16oz. Can served in a willibecker. Pours a lovely straw gold with a loose, 1/8th inch, off-white head that gradually dissipates. Clarity is crystal clear. Nose is bright and clean - grassy notes and hints of noble hops. Taste follows nose with some fruity esters coming out at the finish. Mouthfeel is light in body with a sharp carbonation. Overall, drinkable and well-crafted.
Mar 17, 2022
4 by paulish from New York on Mar 12, 2022
4.01/5 rDev -2.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
by Beginner2 from Illinois
Bought from Beer Drop. A decent Helles and shows all its simple qualities and traditions.
But I drink so few Helles (my 39th) lately and my short-term memory fails so often that I can't get to this Helles average rating. Three words for Bierstadt's Helles: golden, malty, crisp.
I do give lots of Overall Hugs to the proprietors. Tradition is important, especially in the German styles. And varying from the tradition requires more care than, say, varying from the Brits and Belgians. Finding Lagerhaus makes me guess that the dozen major U.S. beer cities (of which Denver is certainly near the top), each has a micro that specializes almost exclusively in lagers. That's kind of cool how that market segmentation has emerged. (But it was only natural also, given how the number of micros exploded and can still grow through a pandemic that undermines their taproom business model.)
Anyway, Bierstadt gets lot of Overall Hugs for being Denver's lager specialist and for having a cool Bierhalle. Prost !
4/22/22 Drank the second can with a Thai meal, thinking this Helles softness would calm the spice... and it did. But the dish was so awful that I have to give more Overall Hugs for Helles being so subtle to fix the wrong. Counting over @ UnTappd.
Feb 17, 2022
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
by Beginner2 from Illinois
Bought from Beer Drop. A decent Helles and shows all its simple qualities and traditions.
But I drink so few Helles (my 39th) lately and my short-term memory fails so often that I can't get to this Helles average rating. Three words for Bierstadt's Helles: golden, malty, crisp.
I do give lots of Overall Hugs to the proprietors. Tradition is important, especially in the German styles. And varying from the tradition requires more care than, say, varying from the Brits and Belgians. Finding Lagerhaus makes me guess that the dozen major U.S. beer cities (of which Denver is certainly near the top), each has a micro that specializes almost exclusively in lagers. That's kind of cool how that market segmentation has emerged. (But it was only natural also, given how the number of micros exploded and can still grow through a pandemic that undermines their taproom business model.)
Anyway, Bierstadt gets lot of Overall Hugs for being Denver's lager specialist and for having a cool Bierhalle. Prost !
4/22/22 Drank the second can with a Thai meal, thinking this Helles softness would calm the spice... and it did. But the dish was so awful that I have to give more Overall Hugs for Helles being so subtle to fix the wrong. Counting over @ UnTappd.
Feb 17, 2022
4.09 by westcoastbeerlvr from California on Feb 13, 2022
4.22 by brewskis from Indiana on Jan 23, 2022
4.03 by Nichols33 from Massachusetts on Jan 05, 2022
4.45/5 rDev +8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75
by SpeedwayJim from New York
Thanks to Jeff for this. 16oz. can into a Founders snifter.
Pours a crystal clear goldenrod. Sparse lace and a 1 finger foamy white head with little retention. Nose is actually kind of funky. Metallic, foamy, sharp bitterness, with a light, fresh lemon zest. Beer opens crisp and clean. I get metallic funk, lemon zest, farmhouse hay, and a wet wood. Never had a Helles Lager like this for sure. FInishes foamy with a biting bitterness. Body is light with moderate to ample carbonation. Slightly prickly on the palate and goes down crisp, clean, and dry with a lightly lingering finish. Super drinkable as the style should be.
This beer is fantastic and I'd love to try other styles in this brewer's portfolio.
Jan 02, 2022
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75
by SpeedwayJim from New York
Thanks to Jeff for this. 16oz. can into a Founders snifter.
Pours a crystal clear goldenrod. Sparse lace and a 1 finger foamy white head with little retention. Nose is actually kind of funky. Metallic, foamy, sharp bitterness, with a light, fresh lemon zest. Beer opens crisp and clean. I get metallic funk, lemon zest, farmhouse hay, and a wet wood. Never had a Helles Lager like this for sure. FInishes foamy with a biting bitterness. Body is light with moderate to ample carbonation. Slightly prickly on the palate and goes down crisp, clean, and dry with a lightly lingering finish. Super drinkable as the style should be.
This beer is fantastic and I'd love to try other styles in this brewer's portfolio.
Jan 02, 2022
4.25 by FLBeerGuy from Florida on Nov 27, 2021
3.72/5 rDev -9.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
by cyclonece09 from Wisconsin
Poured from a can into a pint glass. Pours straw yellow with a small white head. Smells of cereal grain, crisp and refreshing. Tastes of sweet grain, but not overly so. Beer is light bodied and easy drinking, good carbonation. Overall, a good beer.
Nov 17, 2021
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
by cyclonece09 from Wisconsin
Poured from a can into a pint glass. Pours straw yellow with a small white head. Smells of cereal grain, crisp and refreshing. Tastes of sweet grain, but not overly so. Beer is light bodied and easy drinking, good carbonation. Overall, a good beer.
Nov 17, 2021
4.25 by smartassboiler from Illinois on Nov 11, 2021
4.37/5 rDev +6.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.5
by FBarber from Illinois
Pours a moderately cloudy golden color. Thin one to two finger head forms on the beer but quickly dissipates leaving no residual head. The beer clears up as it sits, but the weirdest thing is the presence of yeasty floaters that look like pulp floating in the beer. Really note sure what that is.
Aroma is absolutely lovely - notes of rich, sweet, doughy, bready malts waft across the nose. Honey, white bread, dough, all are there giving way to a light herbal, spicy hop note on the back end. Its incredible.
Taste has notes of white bread, doughy malts, with a lightly toasted character to it. A touch of honey sweetness comes through. There are also light lemon and lemongrass notes with a slight herbal, spicy bitterness on the back end.
Feel is light, crisp, and easy drinking. Bright carbonation. A bit thinner than I might want, missing that chewiness I like from this style, but its a relatively minor quibble.
This is fantastic and instantly one of the best American brewed helles I have ever had. Its not often you come into a beer with high expectations and they are somehow exceeded. A must try if you get the chance.
Sep 11, 2021
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.5
by FBarber from Illinois
Pours a moderately cloudy golden color. Thin one to two finger head forms on the beer but quickly dissipates leaving no residual head. The beer clears up as it sits, but the weirdest thing is the presence of yeasty floaters that look like pulp floating in the beer. Really note sure what that is.
Aroma is absolutely lovely - notes of rich, sweet, doughy, bready malts waft across the nose. Honey, white bread, dough, all are there giving way to a light herbal, spicy hop note on the back end. Its incredible.
Taste has notes of white bread, doughy malts, with a lightly toasted character to it. A touch of honey sweetness comes through. There are also light lemon and lemongrass notes with a slight herbal, spicy bitterness on the back end.
Feel is light, crisp, and easy drinking. Bright carbonation. A bit thinner than I might want, missing that chewiness I like from this style, but its a relatively minor quibble.
This is fantastic and instantly one of the best American brewed helles I have ever had. Its not often you come into a beer with high expectations and they are somehow exceeded. A must try if you get the chance.
Sep 11, 2021
4.48/5 rDev +8.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
by Luscious_Malfoy from Illinois
poured from a 16oz can into a half pint glass. pours a clear gold with a finger of fluffy white head. clean, bready lager yeast on the nose and tongue. this is easy drinking with a great, full and carbonated mouthfeel. absolutely delicious!
Aug 29, 2021
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
by Luscious_Malfoy from Illinois
poured from a 16oz can into a half pint glass. pours a clear gold with a finger of fluffy white head. clean, bready lager yeast on the nose and tongue. this is easy drinking with a great, full and carbonated mouthfeel. absolutely delicious!
Aug 29, 2021
3.81 by jason_nwx from Oregon on Aug 29, 2021
3.53/5 rDev -14.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
by DefenCorps from Oregon
Can from Wildwood Taphouse.
A clear golden orange with a dense white head with good retention and lacing this looks great. The nose is soft, doughy, delicately, with mild but firmly lime like hops. There's a faint, almost sulfury, fruity smell that seems out of place. The palate opens crisp, and bready, with a blend of straw, hay, a little fruity (again, unexpected). Dry, crisp, a little acidic from the high carbonation in a way that detracts from how refreshing it could be. Decent.
Aug 22, 2021
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
by DefenCorps from Oregon
Can from Wildwood Taphouse.
A clear golden orange with a dense white head with good retention and lacing this looks great. The nose is soft, doughy, delicately, with mild but firmly lime like hops. There's a faint, almost sulfury, fruity smell that seems out of place. The palate opens crisp, and bready, with a blend of straw, hay, a little fruity (again, unexpected). Dry, crisp, a little acidic from the high carbonation in a way that detracts from how refreshing it could be. Decent.
Aug 22, 2021
4.19 by Phoodcritic from Michigan on Aug 16, 2021
4.13 by shelby415 from Oregon on Aug 14, 2021
4.25 by Ajlvt from Washington on Aug 07, 2021
3.79/5 rDev -8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
by KT3418 from Colorado
I asked for this on tap at Zig Zag Smokin Burger and it was straw clear with a millimeter head. The taste was crisper akin to a pilsner and not very malty or bready at all. They also had the Slow Pour Pils so maybe I was given that on accident? idk.
Jul 22, 2021
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
by KT3418 from Colorado
I asked for this on tap at Zig Zag Smokin Burger and it was straw clear with a millimeter head. The taste was crisper akin to a pilsner and not very malty or bready at all. They also had the Slow Pour Pils so maybe I was given that on accident? idk.
Jul 22, 2021
4 by NickMunford from Wyoming on Jul 18, 2021
4.5 by Ristaccia from Nebraska on May 10, 2021
3.96 by trevorpost from Pennsylvania on Apr 16, 2021
4.03 by MrDarcy from Massachusetts on Apr 10, 2021
3.99 by 22Blue from Kansas on Mar 09, 2021
4.08 by StoutSnob40 from California on Feb 23, 2021
4.02/5 rDev -2.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
by beergoot from Colorado
Clear and bright light gold body; plenty of lively carbonation; nice thick head, fluffy. Bready malts and herbal hops comprise the smell. Mildly toasted grain base taste with a moderate presence of earthy, herbal hops. Medium body; slightly sweet on the palate; crisp; gentle warmth.
The beer drinks well and pretty much nails the traditional helles beer style. It is clean and refreshing.
Jan 28, 2021
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
by beergoot from Colorado
Clear and bright light gold body; plenty of lively carbonation; nice thick head, fluffy. Bready malts and herbal hops comprise the smell. Mildly toasted grain base taste with a moderate presence of earthy, herbal hops. Medium body; slightly sweet on the palate; crisp; gentle warmth.
The beer drinks well and pretty much nails the traditional helles beer style. It is clean and refreshing.
Jan 28, 2021
3.45 by gbiello from Massachusetts on Jan 25, 2021
4.25/5 rDev +3.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
by mothman from Minnesota
On tap. White head. Clear golden straw color.
Earthy, grassy. Light. Nice carbonation. Biscuit malts. Clean, crisp, easy drinking. A really awesome American brewed helles.
Jan 17, 2021
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
by mothman from Minnesota
On tap. White head. Clear golden straw color.
Earthy, grassy. Light. Nice carbonation. Biscuit malts. Clean, crisp, easy drinking. A really awesome American brewed helles.
Jan 17, 2021
4 by PapaGoose03 from Michigan on Jan 04, 2021
4.08/5 rDev -1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by mushroomcloud from Texas
16oz can with no date. Opened 12-27-20.
2+ finger pillowy white head. Excellent staying power.
Straw gold with perfect clarity. Light lacing.
Sweet grain, bready malt. Herbal and grassy hop aroma and hint of sulfur.
Floral/spicy hop flavors on a slightly sweet malt base.
Light body, medium carbonation. Clean, close to crisp and great balance...hits all the marks.
Drinkability is high and definitely sessionable.
Very Good to Outstanding.
Dec 27, 2020
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by mushroomcloud from Texas
16oz can with no date. Opened 12-27-20.
2+ finger pillowy white head. Excellent staying power.
Straw gold with perfect clarity. Light lacing.
Sweet grain, bready malt. Herbal and grassy hop aroma and hint of sulfur.
Floral/spicy hop flavors on a slightly sweet malt base.
Light body, medium carbonation. Clean, close to crisp and great balance...hits all the marks.
Drinkability is high and definitely sessionable.
Very Good to Outstanding.
Dec 27, 2020
4.1 by hockeypuck from Maine on Dec 25, 2020
3.66/5 rDev -11.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
by NCSapiens from Indiana
Clear straw yellow with ample white head and tons of carbonation bubbling to the top. Crisp and clean with no off flavors, but kind of one dimensional. How much one enjoys this beer hinges entirely on one’s appreciation of yeasty malt flavor. Neither sweet nor bitter, it tastes like cold mountain water carbonated and flavored with a light bread tasting malt. I can easily imagine a person who finds this outstanding. For me it is more of an intellectual exercise in simplicity than an attempt to make a well rounded flavor profile.
Nov 01, 2020
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
by NCSapiens from Indiana
Clear straw yellow with ample white head and tons of carbonation bubbling to the top. Crisp and clean with no off flavors, but kind of one dimensional. How much one enjoys this beer hinges entirely on one’s appreciation of yeasty malt flavor. Neither sweet nor bitter, it tastes like cold mountain water carbonated and flavored with a light bread tasting malt. I can easily imagine a person who finds this outstanding. For me it is more of an intellectual exercise in simplicity than an attempt to make a well rounded flavor profile.
Nov 01, 2020
3.75 by Mikexw from New York on Oct 30, 2020
3.88/5 rDev -5.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by Alieniloquium from Florida
16 oz. can. Clear golden. Smells of sweet doughy malt and light earthy hops. Tastes of doughy malt, a touch of sweet maltiness, and an even slighter amount of spicy hops. Light body. Easy to drink. Very clean. Very light hop profile. Very nice.
Oct 30, 2020
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by Alieniloquium from Florida
16 oz. can. Clear golden. Smells of sweet doughy malt and light earthy hops. Tastes of doughy malt, a touch of sweet maltiness, and an even slighter amount of spicy hops. Light body. Easy to drink. Very clean. Very light hop profile. Very nice.
Oct 30, 2020
4 by jschott75 from Illinois on Oct 29, 2020
3.84 by acurtis from New Jersey on Oct 03, 2020
4.17/5 rDev +1.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
by Sabtos from Ohio
Clear but darker gold than the pils, the soft off-white head settles to a persistently fluffy blanket.
The frothy medium-light body is sweeter with notes of white grape, and finishes lightly dry, exhaling lightly bready notes.
Sep 15, 2020
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
by Sabtos from Ohio
Clear but darker gold than the pils, the soft off-white head settles to a persistently fluffy blanket.
The frothy medium-light body is sweeter with notes of white grape, and finishes lightly dry, exhaling lightly bready notes.
Sep 15, 2020
4.06/5 rDev -1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
by barneyrubble from Colorado
Poured from a 16 oz can into a tulip glass a white foamy head of 2 fingers leaves a loose lace over a pale yellow transparent liquid.
On the nose a very light fresh yeast and malt with a whiff of banana.
Sweet mouth filling malt and a nicely slick finish without any bitter hops. A trace of banana shows off some neutral yeast and a light dry finish with perhaps a touch of green hop.
Very smooth fine light carbonation on the light medium body. Great smooth slick feel enhances the easy drinking mode. after a nice taste you want to jump right back in for more.
Overall a super delicious and clean refreshment. I have personally ranked the Slow Pour Pilsner at the top of my list but have not reviewed it here. This Helles is right behind it and although different reminds me of the 4 Noses Oktoberfest I recently enjoyed for drinkable fun.
Sep 12, 2020
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
by barneyrubble from Colorado
Poured from a 16 oz can into a tulip glass a white foamy head of 2 fingers leaves a loose lace over a pale yellow transparent liquid.
On the nose a very light fresh yeast and malt with a whiff of banana.
Sweet mouth filling malt and a nicely slick finish without any bitter hops. A trace of banana shows off some neutral yeast and a light dry finish with perhaps a touch of green hop.
Very smooth fine light carbonation on the light medium body. Great smooth slick feel enhances the easy drinking mode. after a nice taste you want to jump right back in for more.
Overall a super delicious and clean refreshment. I have personally ranked the Slow Pour Pilsner at the top of my list but have not reviewed it here. This Helles is right behind it and although different reminds me of the 4 Noses Oktoberfest I recently enjoyed for drinkable fun.
Sep 12, 2020
4.23 by allenson21 from New York on Sep 09, 2020
Helles from Bierstadt Lagerhaus
Beer rating:
91 out of
100 with
72 ratings