1d Munich Helles

Aroma

Grain and sweet, clean malt aromas predominate. May also have a very light 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 malt flavors predominate, with a low to medium-low hop bitterness that partially offsets the malty palate. Very slight hop flavor acceptable. Finish and aftertaste remain malty. Clean, no fruity esters, no diacetyl.

Mouthfeel

Medium body, medium carbonation, smooth maltiness with no trace of astringency.

Impression

Malty but fully attenuated.

Comments

Created in Munich in 1895 at the Spaten brewery by Gabriel Sedlmayr to compete with Pilsner-style beers. 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.

Ingredients

Moderate carbonate water, Pilsner malt, German noble hop varieties.