Helles Appreciation Thread (2023)

... and that reason would be that it's mostly Americans voting.

(A majority of the BA top 100 Helles list is American beer)

 

Not my favorite Helles but surely one of the best from Germany

Prost!

 

Have you had the 'new' Helles from Weihenstephaner? If so, how would you compare the body of that beer to Paulaner?

Cheers!

 

Yes, I had both (Original Helles and Helles) I think there is no real difference if you consider the texture and mouthfeel but Weihenstephaner Helles has more flavor and aroma. I'd always take Weihenstephaner if I had to make a choice

 

Yeah, this one is the answer for "local" (Northeast) versions around here. And East Rock Lager for an even more "local" option for us Nutmegers.

 

As I understand it the intended difference between the Helles and Original was to create a beer with increased lightness/drinkability.

Below is the description for the Helles with emphasis in bold by me:

"Quaffable, mild, Bavarian – as a true Helles should be. Available in cans!

Weihenstephaner Helles was first introduced in May 2020 to Germany after a full year of preparation to fine tune the recipe for release. Winning Gold at the European Beer Star awards in Fall 2020, Weihenstephaner Helles is a 4.8% ABV Session Helles Lager that is an easy drinker with full flavor. Brewed with Bavarian malting barley and aroma hops from the Hallertau. A crowd pleaser with a light body and clean crisp finish, that will make you want to crush another."

Prost!

 

That's a perfect description of the Helles. If I had to compare Original vs Helles I'd say it's complexity vs simplicity.

Both of them outshine Paulaner in every aspect

 

In *your* opinion.

I've honestly really been enjoying Paulaner and H-P Helles beers lately. To me they seem a bit more robust than either Weihenstephaner.

That said... I'm getting them transported across the Atlantic, probably Pasteurized, and just not quite as fresh as your local merchant.

Nevertheless, I wouldn't turn down any of them.

 

It's always only my opinion and I don't like H-P beers except their Oktoberfestbier

BTW: I never had Weihenstephaner Festbier but I'd love to try it and it looks like it's easier to find it in the US than in Germany

 

Seems rather odd. Maybe more closer to the brewery?

 

This makes perfect sense to me. Ayinger Maibock is just stellar this year

 

Huge Notch fan here. Their lagers from all over the world are great

 

Decoction is not a must for Helles and usually a brewers choice. Weinstephaner makes two versions of Hell (one decocted, and one not). I actually prefer the non decocted version. We quit decocting our Helles a couple years ago and instead just go through a fairly rigorous step mash. We found it to drink better this way for the specific malt we use in that beer.

 

Interesting detail.

 

I live just a few miles from the brewery so as soon as I heard that they won gold for best of show in the NY craft brewing competition, I grabbed a couple crowlers. Had one long enough to do a SxS with the canned version and while the canned version is great, the original pilot batch that was entered in the competition was quite a bit better.

Side note: most ppl in Rochester embrace the low quality, mass produced beer they brew (red eye, light, cream ale, 12 horse) for what it is-I’ll drink those over any of the BMC stuff any day. The next level (grapefruit kolsch, bock, schwarzbier, okto, dry hopped cream ale, etc.) is of reasonable quality, affordability and is beloved by many. The brewers series (helles, impy stout, salted caramel chocolate Porter, chocolate scotch ale, etc.) is usually really solid and still very affordable for what it is. The imperial stout that was released as part of the series before the helles was really good. Most of the pilot batches at the brewhouse are pretty solid too.

 

RIP to one of the best (and unfortunately most expensive)
Folksbier OBL

 

Point of correction here, I mis-spoke (surprised I wasn't jumped on ) -- Hacker-Pschorr's Helles is marketed as "Munich Gold" in the US, not Paulaner's.

 

Another possible slight point of correction: Munich Gold is what I would call their 'export' helles as it is 5.5% https://www.hacker-pschorr.de/unsere-biere/hellbiere/muenchner-gold

They do also make a 'regular' helles, labelled 'Münchner Hell'--it's 5% https://www.hacker-pschorr.de/unsere-biere/hellbiere/muenchner-hell.

I bought and drank a bottle of the Münchner Hell at the hauptbahnhof when I first got into Munich--needed a pre-game drink before Starkbierzeit

 

Well, it IS exported.

Is it available here?