Munich Helles
Aroma:
Pleasantly 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 flavors dominate, with a low to medium-low hop bitterness that supports the malty palate. 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 trace of astringency.
Overall Impression:
Malty but fully attenuated Pils malt showcase.
Comments:
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 underlying hop bitterness in a supporting role.
History:
Created in Munich in 1895 at the Spaten brewery by Gabriel Sedlmayr to compete with Pilsner-style beers.
Ingredients:
Moderate carbonate water, Pilsner malt, German noble hop varieties.
Commercial Examples:
Weihenstephaner Original, Hacker- Pschorr Mnchner Gold, Brgerbru Wolznacher Hell Naturtrb, Mahr?s Hell, Paulaner Premium Lager, Spaten Premium Lager, Stoudt?s Gold Lager
Vital Statistics:
Original gravity (OG) 1.045-51
Final gravity (FG) 1.008-12
International bitterness units (IBUs) 16-22
Beer color, Standard reference method (SRM) 3-5
Alcohol by volume (ABV) 4.7-5.4


* Reprinted with permission of the Beer Judge Certification Program - Copyright © 2008, BJCP, Inc.