Helles Appreciation Thread (2023)

I started to post a similar reply but I stopped.

And to further discuss the part I bolded above, drinking 'old' Helles beers is very much sub-optimum.

Prost!

 

Tucher Helles was delicious, right up there with the best! Cheers!

 

Poor choice of words on my part. It’s not that I think Genesee’s Lager is especially low quality, I just think all macro lagers are pretty low quality. My word choices definitely suggested otherwise, though.

And yes, your Genesee history is of course spot on. Most under the age of about 40 have never heard of it unless they are from the region, but things were different for them once upon a time.

But now I’m wandering too far off topic. Back on topic, if you ever manage to get ahold of their Brewer Series Helles, I definitely recommend giving it a try.

 

I very much appreciate Helles, so thanks for this thread @Overtonjd !

Think I can find a few to enjoy, starting with a fave:



Cheers!

 

Cross-post with WBAYDN
1) Dovetail Helles (4.4%): A German Helles Lager from Chicago with flavors of light honeysuckle, and pale Munich bread malts. Light and clean.
versus
2) Weihenstephaner Helles (4.8%): A German Helles Lager introduced in 2020 for refined flavors of yeast, barley malts and a crisp and clean finish. (Correctly matched the two beers blind)

Winner:
1) Dovetail Helles: German Helles Battle, both fairly light at sub 5.0%. Weihenstephaner is a remake of their original that's slightly lighter and cleaner. Definitely pretty mild flavors, but maintains an excellent mouthfeel. Dovetail makes some great beer out of Chicago. This one is excellent. Slightly earthy, complex Munich malt flavors, while still being light and drinkable. Trying not to disrespect age old German beer, but more flavor in the Helles from Dovetail.

 

This is an interesting one from a great Cedar Valley (IA) brewery: Hellscape, a smoked Helles from Lion Bridge, Cedar Rapids.

 

This one is currently sitting at #5 in the world here on BA. For good reason.

Canned 2023-06-14, I'll always snap this up fresh.

So fortunate to have Notch and Schilling options locally for world-class lagers.



Cheers!

 

Another Helles? Yes, please.

Thank you Schilling!!



Cheers lager peeps!

 

Helles is one of my favorite styles. Straightforward, but absolutely delicious. I think it's pretty cool that the style is getting more attention from the US craft scene, too. After years of missing the mark or calling any sweeter pale lager "helles," there are some really good ones around, too.
In terms of favorites, Augustiner's normal lagerbier is probably my overall fave. Andechs' isn't far behind and neither is Hofbräu's. The catch is that the Augustiner isn't exported to the US and the freshness on the other two can be hit and miss. Honestly, pretty much all of the Munich-area examples are pretty damn good if you can find a fresh one, though.
On the US side of things, feels like the best examples don't travel far. There are usually 1-2 great places per state/region and most of 'em don't leave that area. I guess that's kinda like Bavaria inadvertently, huh?

 

Can i get a "Helles Yea!?"

 

https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/710/139296/

 

Nah. They don't deserve that

 

I have never seen a smoked helles before, but now I'm very intrigued!

 

Schlenkerla's Helles doesn't use Rauchmalz but is smoked from yeast repitched from the Märzen. It is excellent.

 

#4 of a 4pk, and first time on a clean palate. It's been excellent in every scenario.

Grand Royal (Helles) - Oxbow brewing



Cheers!

 

This one's always a solid option.



Cheers!

 

Joining you @tekstr1der

Found a 4-Pack for €2.99 today - bb 06/2024

I think it's a little bit thin even for a Helles but I have no problem drinking it

Prost!

 

That price. Wow!

 

They sell that as "Munich Gold" over here -- I'd think it was the same beer.

$7 a 4-pack at one local @tekstr1der -- $6 for Paulaner Helles! Can't really beat it.