Next up on the BJCP style guidelines is Munich Helles 1D. This is a beer style that was originated in 1895 at Spaten Brewery in Munich Germany. Originally created to compete with the pilsner style beers, but more malt accentuated with hops in the background.
Aroma: 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 predominate. Low to moderately-low hop bitterness supports the maltiness. 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 astringency.
Comments: Malty but fully attenuated Pils malt showcase. 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 with underlying hop bitterness in a supporting role. Made from moderate carbonate water, Pilsner malt and German noble hop varieties.
Numbers: IBUs(bitterness) 16-22, SRM(color) 3-5, OG (potential) 1.045-1.051, FG (finish) 1.008-1.012, ABV 4.2-5.3%
Examples: Spaten Premium Lager, Weihenstephaner Original, Hacker- Pschorr Munchner Gold, Stoudt's Gold Lager.
This is a true German style of beer with not many US craft brewery examples. This is becoming a beer that some craft brewers are finding out that will compete or replace the Pilsners. A light refreshing beer that can be a session beer or a German lawnmower beer. This is a beer style worth hunting for, so if you are at a craft brewery and they have it on tap give it a try.
QC Beerguy
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