# commercial examples of helles lager **URL:** \ **Category:** The Pub\ **Created:** [March 28, 2016, 3:30pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/commercial-examples-of-helles-lager/22870 "2016-03-28T15:30:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![goschman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e495f1/32.png) [@goschman](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/goschman)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2016, 3:30pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/commercial-examples-of-helles-lager/22870/1 "2016-03-28T15:30:24Z")
Had Hacker-Pschorr Munich Gold yesterday and it was not as good as I was expecting. Any recommendations for widely available examples of Helles? I have yet to try Paulaner’s offereing… ---
**Author:** ![pete\_baker](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/pete_baker/32/5190_2.png) [@pete\_baker](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/pete_baker)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2016, 3:55pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/commercial-examples-of-helles-lager/22870/2 "2016-03-28T15:55:04Z")
I am only learning the basics of German Lagers and am not a BJCP so I don’t know how it is as an example but I reall love Von Trappe Munich Helles. I’m not sure how widely available it is and I’m sure that being near Vermont I am getting nice fresh examples but I had this a few times last summer and found it very hard to make a six pack last for more than one session. Definitely suffig. ---
**Author:** ![dls5492](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/dls5492/32/7899_2.png) [@dls5492](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/dls5492)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2016, 4:38pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/commercial-examples-of-helles-lager/22870/3 "2016-03-28T16:38:23Z")
I like Great Lakes Dortmunder Gold. You may want to try that. ---
**Author:** ![goschman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e495f1/32.png) [@goschman](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/goschman)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2016, 4:41pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/commercial-examples-of-helles-lager/22870/4 "2016-03-28T16:41:16Z")
Thanks guys. Pretty sure I can’t get either of those here. ---
**Author:** ![jweiss206](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/jweiss206/32/21101_2.png) [@jweiss206](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/jweiss206)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2016, 5:23pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/commercial-examples-of-helles-lager/22870/5 "2016-03-28T17:23:56Z")
> [@goschman](#): > > Had Hacker-Pschorr Munich Gold yesterday and it was not as good as I was expecting. Any recommendations for widely available examples of Helles? I have yet to try Paulaner’s offereing… From the website it looks like Maui Brewing is available in parts of Colorado. My absolute favorite Helles Lager is Maui’s Bikini Blonde. Delicious stuff. ---
**Author:** ![goschman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e495f1/32.png) [@goschman](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/goschman)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2016, 5:25pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/commercial-examples-of-helles-lager/22870/6 "2016-03-28T17:25:09Z")
> [@jweiss206](#): > > > [@goschman](#): > > > > Had Hacker-Pschorr Munich Gold yesterday and it was not as good as I was expecting. Any recommendations for widely available examples of Helles? I have yet to try Paulaner’s offereing… > > From the website it looks like Maui Brewing is available in parts of Colorado. My absolute favorite Helles Lager is Maui’s Bikini Blonde. Delicious stuff. I have seen that around from time to time. I never buy their beer because it is usually insanely expensive. I will look around for this one. ---
**Author:** ![euge](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/euge/32/5060_2.png) [@euge](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/euge)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2016, 5:28pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/commercial-examples-of-helles-lager/22870/7 "2016-03-28T17:28:05Z")
Spaten Premium. ---
**Author:** ![jonhughey\_att.net](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/jonhughey_att.net/32/6277_2.png) [@jonhughey\_att.net](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/jonhughey_att.net)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2016, 5:31pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/commercial-examples-of-helles-lager/22870/8 "2016-03-28T17:31:42Z")
Weihenstephaner Original is my favorite. Very tasty. ---
**Author:** ![hopfenundmalz](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/hopfenundmalz/32/11193_2.png) [@hopfenundmalz](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/hopfenundmalz)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2016, 5:32pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/commercial-examples-of-helles-lager/22870/9 "2016-03-28T17:32:30Z")
Weihenstephaner Original, Augustiner Hell, Paulaner Premium, Spaten Premium, Ayinger Brau Hell are all Munich Ahelles. Mahrs Hell or Bischshof Helles are examples of Franconian Helles, a little hoppier. ---
**Author:** ![goschman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e495f1/32.png) [@goschman](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/goschman)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2016, 5:32pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/commercial-examples-of-helles-lager/22870/10 "2016-03-28T17:32:51Z")
> [@](#): > > Weihenstephaner Original is my favorite. Very tasty. Is that available in 6 packs? ---
**Author:** ![goschman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e495f1/32.png) [@goschman](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/goschman)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2016, 5:33pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/commercial-examples-of-helles-lager/22870/11 "2016-03-28T17:33:34Z")
> [@hopfenundmalz](#): > > Weihenstephaner Original, Augustiner Hell, Paulaner Premium, Spaten Premium, Ayinger Brau Hell are all Munich Ahelles. > > Mahrs Hell or Bischshof Helles are examples of Franconian Helles, a little hoppier. In your opinion how does the Hacker Pschorr stack up? ---
**Author:** ![jonhughey\_att.net](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/jonhughey_att.net/32/6277_2.png) [@jonhughey\_att.net](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/jonhughey_att.net)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2016, 5:34pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/commercial-examples-of-helles-lager/22870/12 "2016-03-28T17:34:30Z")
> [@goschman](#): > > > [@](#): > > > > Weihenstephaner Original is my favorite. Very tasty. > > Is that available in 6 packs? Yep ---
**Author:** ![hopfenundmalz](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/hopfenundmalz/32/11193_2.png) [@hopfenundmalz](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/hopfenundmalz)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2016, 5:44pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/commercial-examples-of-helles-lager/22870/13 "2016-03-28T17:44:50Z")
> [@goschman](#): > > > [@hopfenundmalz](#): > > > > Weihenstephaner Original, Augustiner Hell, Paulaner Premium, Spaten Premium, Ayinger Brau Hell are all Munich Ahelles. > > > > Mahrs Hell or Bischshof Helles are examples of Franconian Helles, a little hoppier. > > In your opinion how does the Hacker Pschorr stack up? My persona preferences in Munich are: Augustiner Spaten Paulaner Löwenbräu Hacker Pschorr Hofbräuhaus It has been awhile, but that is how I remember my list. ---
**Author:** ![goschman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e495f1/32.png) [@goschman](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/goschman)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2016, 6:20pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/commercial-examples-of-helles-lager/22870/14 "2016-03-28T18:20:08Z")
> [@hopfenundmalz](#): > > > [@goschman](#): > > > > > [@hopfenundmalz](#): > > > > > > Weihenstephaner Original, Augustiner Hell, Paulaner Premium, Spaten Premium, Ayinger Brau Hell are all Munich Ahelles. > > > > > > Mahrs Hell or Bischshof Helles are examples of Franconian Helles, a little hoppier. > > > > In your opinion how does the Hacker Pschorr stack up? > > My persona preferences in Munich are: > Augustiner > Spaten > Paulaner > Löwenbräu > Hacker Pschorr > Hofbräuhaus > > It has been awhile, but that is how I remember my list. Thanks. The Hacker came off with a strange bitterness to me that didn’t seem to be the hops. Could be a distribution/freshness issue. It wasn’t bad by any means just not what I was hoping for. ---
**Author:** ![blatz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4da419/32.png) [@blatz](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/blatz)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2016, 6:27pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/commercial-examples-of-helles-lager/22870/15 "2016-03-28T18:27:11Z")
> [@goschman](#): > > Thanks. The Hacker came off with a strange bitterness to me that didn’t seem to be the hops. Could be a distribution/freshness issue. It wasn’t bad by any means just not what I was hoping for. maybe it was “IT” - just kidding. I often find a strange off bitter note that I think you are describing with most of Hacker beers - I have always assumed it was an oxidation/staleness note, as I have not picked up the same when having fresh-er examples on tap at Oktoberfest parties and German restaurants. ---
**Author:** ![jweiss206](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/jweiss206/32/21101_2.png) [@jweiss206](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/jweiss206)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2016, 7:03pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/commercial-examples-of-helles-lager/22870/16 "2016-03-28T19:03:51Z")
> [@goschman](#): > > > [@jweiss206](#): > > > > > [@goschman](#): > > > > > > Had Hacker-Pschorr Munich Gold yesterday and it was not as good as I was expecting. Any recommendations for widely available examples of Helles? I have yet to try Paulaner’s offereing… > > > > From the website it looks like Maui Brewing is available in parts of Colorado. My absolute favorite Helles Lager is Maui’s Bikini Blonde. Delicious stuff. > > I have seen that around from time to time. I never buy their beer because it is usually insanely expensive. I will look around for this one. Agreed, I find Maui Brewing to be one of the most overpriced breweries. I make an exception for this beer however. Otherwise I only by singles of their other beers once in awhile. ---
**Author:** ![hopfenundmalz](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/hopfenundmalz/32/11193_2.png) [@hopfenundmalz](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/hopfenundmalz)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2016, 7:26pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/commercial-examples-of-helles-lager/22870/17 "2016-03-28T19:26:45Z")
> [@goschman](#): > > > [@hopfenundmalz](#): > > > > > [@goschman](#): > > > > > > > [@hopfenundmalz](#): > > > > > > > > Weihenstephaner Original, Augustiner Hell, Paulaner Premium, Spaten Premium, Ayinger Brau Hell are all Munich Ahelles. > > > > > > > > Mahrs Hell or Bischshof Helles are examples of Franconian Helles, a little hoppier. > > > > > > In your opinion how does the Hacker Pschorr stack up? > > > > My persona preferences in Munich are: > > Augustiner > > Spaten > > Paulaner > > Löwenbräu > > Hacker Pschorr > > Hofbräuhaus > > > > It has been awhile, but that is how I remember my list. > > Thanks. The Hacker came off with a strange bitterness to me that didn’t seem to be the hops. Could be a distribution/freshness issue. It wasn’t bad by any means just not what I was hoping for. I get a roughness from Hacker Pschorr beers that is kind of grainy. Might be the malt and hops? The Hofbräu beers are just grainy to me. ---
**Author:** ![goschman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e495f1/32.png) [@goschman](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/goschman)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2016, 7:37pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/commercial-examples-of-helles-lager/22870/18 "2016-03-28T19:37:52Z")
> [@hopfenundmalz](#): > > > [@goschman](#): > > > > > [@hopfenundmalz](#): > > > > > > > [@goschman](#): > > > > > > > > > [@hopfenundmalz](#): > > > > > > > > > > Weihenstephaner Original, Augustiner Hell, Paulaner Premium, Spaten Premium, Ayinger Brau Hell are all Munich Ahelles. > > > > > > > > > > Mahrs Hell or Bischshof Helles are examples of Franconian Helles, a little hoppier. > > > > > > > > In your opinion how does the Hacker Pschorr stack up? > > > > > > My persona preferences in Munich are: > > > Augustiner > > > Spaten > > > Paulaner > > > Löwenbräu > > > Hacker Pschorr > > > Hofbräuhaus > > > > > > It has been awhile, but that is how I remember my list. > > > > Thanks. The Hacker came off with a strange bitterness to me that didn’t seem to be the hops. Could be a distribution/freshness issue. It wasn’t bad by any means just not what I was hoping for. > > I get a roughness from Hacker Pschorr beers that is kind of grainy. Might be the malt and hops? > > The Hofbräu beers are just grainy to me. Ok that seems reassuring that it’s not just me. I have had some domestic versions of Helles that I quite enjoyed but this was my first purchase of a German brewed product. I thought maybe the interpretation was different. I will work on that list to explore the style further. ---
**Author:** ![jonhughey\_att.net](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/jonhughey_att.net/32/6277_2.png) [@jonhughey\_att.net](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/jonhughey_att.net)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2016, 7:49pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/commercial-examples-of-helles-lager/22870/19 "2016-03-28T19:49:39Z")
With imports, freshness is always a factor too. I remember a time thinking I didn’t like helles because the imports I drank were usually oxidized, with the unpleasant strong caramelly character. Until I found some Paulaner Premium in cans (never found it in cans since), stamped fairly fresh considering the distance, and with obviously no light struck issues. It was absolutely fantastic and totally changed my mind on helles. Been a while but I think the next beer I brewed was a helles. ---
**Author:** ![pmorrissette](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/pmorrissette/32/2952_2.png) [@pmorrissette](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/pmorrissette)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2016, 8:14pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/commercial-examples-of-helles-lager/22870/20 "2016-03-28T20:14:25Z")
For getting fresh helles, I’ve had really good luck with the 5-liter party kegs they seem to all come in. One of the local shops sells the Hofbrau helles for $20/5L. Another shop sells Schlenkerla party kegs, though those are $45/5L. Still haven’t coughed up the dough to try that one yet, although I love Schlenkerla. [Next page](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/commercial-examples-of-helles-lager/22870.md?page=2)