Episode #121: Munich Helles

Helles Lager is the light, malty, session beer of choice in the Bavaria region of Germany. A close cousin of the hoppier pilsner from which it drew it’s inspiration, Helles is a beer many people have drunk for years without even knowing it.

Breweries and Beers

Spaten Premium

Weihenstephaner Original

Hofbrau Original

Three Floyds Gorch Fock

1. From "castello" :

   Green bottles RULE! Where do you get all this bad news about them?
   Wikipedia says they have a Hofbräuhaus in Chicago! You’d better check it for some fresh green bottle beer. Four Floyds should use green bottles for their imitation German beer. How about the darker green that you see on some wine bottles? Great show! I had a few Mickey big mouths this weekend and a few Trumer Pils to drink today. I may re watch the show later with a good green bottle beer. Do you know of any west coast brewers who make Helles? I’m pretty underwhelmed with the pils from Lagunitas. Wrong colored bottle

   July 23, 2012 at 8:14 am
   • From "ChrisQ" :

     You and your green bottles! If that’s what you like, then go for it! I’m not sure of a West Coast-brewed Helles, but I’m sure they exist. I’ll do some digging.

     July 23, 2012 at 11:07 am
2. From "Russ Perry Jr" :

   You say you couldn’t very well have Gorch Fock on tap for the show, but… Perhaps you could take the show on the road on occasion? Makes me wonder if there might be a Great Taste of the Midwest Craft Beer Temple Special in our future…

   July 23, 2012 at 10:13 am
   • From "ChrisQ" :

     Not a bad idea.

     July 23, 2012 at 11:06 am
3. From "Jeremy J. Brown" :

   The funny thing is, you will never see a Helles in a green bottle in Bavaria. They are always in a .5l brown bottle. Or from the tap, which is the best way to have a Helles if given the choice. The green bottle must be an export thing for some reason. Probably something to do with the Heineken influence on America.

   August 18, 2012 at 10:20 am