Heavenly Helles: The Top 20 Helles Beers to Brighten Your Palate

Introduction:

Helles, a classic and beloved style of lager, originates from Germany, where it’s cherished for its clean, malt-forward profile and exceptional drinkability. These beers offer a refreshing experience with a balance of malt sweetness and subtle hop bitterness. In this comprehensive guide, we’ve curated a list of the top 20 Helles beers available in the USA. Whether you’re a seasoned Helles enthusiast or new to the style, this list will introduce you to the best in the category, complete with detailed reasoning and key statistics that make each beer shine. So, let’s embark on a journey through the world of Helles, where crisp refreshment meets pure flavor.

1. Weihenstephaner Original – Bayerische Staatsbrauerei Weihenstephan

• ABV (Alcohol by Volume): 5.1%
• IBU (International Bitterness Units): 20
• Reasoning: Weihenstephaner Original is a classic Bavarian Helles, known for its perfect balance of biscuity malt sweetness and a touch of hops, resulting in a smooth and refreshing taste.

2. Paulaner Original Münchner Hell – Paulaner Brauerei

• ABV: 4.9%
• IBU: 20
• Reasoning: Paulaner Original Münchner Hell is a quintessential Munich Helles with a harmonious blend of malt character, a gentle hop presence, and a clean finish.

3. Ayinger Bräuweisse – Ayinger Brewery

• ABV: 5.1%
• IBU: 12
• Reasoning: Ayinger Bräuweisse is a delightful Bavarian wheat Helles with a light, bready malt profile and a touch of banana and clove, providing a unique and refreshing twist on the style.

4. Augustiner Bräu Lagerbier Hell – Augustiner-Bräu Wagner KG

• ABV: 5.2%
• IBU: 18
• Reasoning: Augustiner Bräu Lagerbier Hell is a Munich Helles with a rich, biscuity malt character and a delicate hop bitterness, delivering a true taste of Bavaria.

5. Hofbräu München Original – Staatliches Hofbräuhaus München

• ABV: 5.1%
• IBU: 20
• Reasoning: Hofbräu München Original is a Munich Helles that embodies the city’s beer culture with a balanced blend of malt sweetness and a crisp, clean finish.

6. König Pilsener – König-Brauerei GmbH

• ABV: 4.9%
• IBU: 25
• Reasoning: König Pilsener is a German Pilsner with a well-attenuated malt backbone and a snappy hop bitterness, offering a refreshing and slightly bitter Helles.

7. Andechser Hell – Klosterbrauerei Andechs

• ABV: 4.8%
• IBU: 21
• Reasoning: Andechser Hell is a Bavarian Helles known for its rich, malty profile, balanced with a subtle hop bitterness and a smooth, clean finish.

8. Tegernseer Hell – Herzoglich Bayerisches Brauhaus Tegernsee

• ABV: 4.8%
• IBU: 18
• Reasoning: Tegernseer Hell is a Bavarian Lager Helles with a blend of malt sweetness, a hint of honey, and a gentle hop character, making it a standout choice for the style.

9. Weihenstephaner Helles Hefeweissbier – Bayerische Staatsbrauerei Weihenstephan

• ABV: 5.4%
• IBU: 16
• Reasoning: Weihenstephaner Helles Hefeweissbier is a wheat Helles with a delicate malt profile, a touch of banana and clove, and a refreshing, effervescent body.

10. Mahr’s Bräu Hell – Mahrs Bräu Bamberg

• ABV: 4.9%
• IBU: 21
• Reasoning: Mahr’s Bräu Hell is a Franconian-style Helles with a slightly more pronounced hop character, balanced by a bready malt backbone, resulting in a crisp and flavorful beer.

11. Weihenstephaner Kristallweißbier – Bayerische Staatsbrauerei Weihenstephan

• ABV: 5.4%
• IBU: 16
• Reasoning: Weihenstephaner Kristallweißbier is a crystal-clear Helles wheat beer with a crisp malt character, a hint of banana and clove, and a clean, refreshing finish.

12. Reissdorf Kölsch – Privat-Brauerei Heinrich Reissdorf

• ABV: 4.8%
• IBU: 22
• Reasoning: Reissdorf Kölsch is a classic Kölsch with a light, biscuity malt profile, a mild hop character, and a clean, well-attenuated finish, making it a unique twist on the Helles style.

13. Maisel’s Weisse Original – Brauerei Gebrüder Maisel Bayreuth

• ABV: 5.2%
• IBU: 18
• Reasoning: Maisel’s Weisse Original is a wheat Helles with a smooth and malty character, a hint of banana and clove, and a refreshing body.

14. Veltins Pilsner – Brauerei C. & A. Veltins GmbH & Co. KG

• ABV: 4.8%
• IBU: 40
• Reasoning: Veltins Pilsner is a German Pilsner with a strong hop presence, a crisp malt backbone, and a refreshing, slightly bitter profile, creating a unique and flavorful Helles.

15. Stiegl Goldbräu – Stieglbrauerei zu Salzburg GmbH

• ABV: 4.9%
• IBU: 20
• Reasoning: Stiegl Goldbräu is a classic Austrian Helles Lager with a clean malt character and a light, refreshing hop bitterness, offering a delightful taste of Austria.

16. Sion Kölsch – Cölner Hofbräu P. Josef Früh KG

• ABV: 4.8%
• IBU: 20
• Reasoning: Sion Kölsch is a traditional Kölsch with a balanced malt sweetness, a mild hop character, and a clean, well-attenuated finish, providing a refreshing and crisp Helles experience.

17. Weltenburger Kloster Barock-Hell – Klosterbrauerei Weltenburg

• ABV: 5.5%
• IBU: 20
• Reasoning: Weltenburger Kloster Barock-Hell is a German Helles with a well-rounded malt character, a hint of caramel, and a clean, refreshing finish.

18. Reutberger Export-Hell – Klosterbrauerei Reutberg

• ABV: 5%
• IBU: 22
• Reasoning: Reutberger Export-Hell is a Bavarian Helles with a smooth, malty character and a gentle hop bitterness, offering a delightful and balanced beer.

19. Hofbräu Original – Staatliches Hofbräuhaus München

• ABV: 5.1%
• IBU: 21
• Reasoning: Hofbräu Original is a Munich Helles that embraces tradition with a balanced blend of malt sweetness, a touch of hops, and a clean, crisp finish.

20. Rothaus Pils Tannenzäpfle – Badische Staatsbrauerei Rothaus

• ABV: 5.1%
• IBU: 32
• Reasoning: Rothaus Pils Tannenzäpfle is a German Pilsner with a robust hop presence, a clean malt backbone, and a refreshing, slightly bitter profile, making it a flavorful and delightful Helles.

Conclusion:

These top 20 Helles beers exemplify the essence of the style, offering a balance of malt sweetness, gentle hop character, and a clean, refreshing finish that makes them perfect for any occasion. Whether you prefer a classic Munich Helles, a wheat Helles, or a Kölsch twist, each beer on this list has something special to offer. So, pour yourself a glass, savor the clean and delightful world of Helles, and toast to your next refreshing beer adventure. Prost!