A Helles lager is a traditional German beer style that is known for its smooth and crisp taste. The word “Helles” translates to “bright” in German, which is fitting for this beer as it has a pale golden color.
The key to a good Helles lager lies in its malt profile. Typically, a Helles is brewed with a combination of pilsner and Vienna malts. Pilsner malt provides a light and clean flavor, while Vienna malt adds a touch of sweetness and depth to the beer. This malt combination creates a balanced and bready backbone for the beer.
Hops also play an important role in a Helles lager. Traditionally, German noble hops such as Hallertau or Tettnang are used to add a subtle hop character. These hops impart earthy, herbal, and mild flavors, complementing the malt profile without overpowering it. The hop bitterness in a Helles lager is typically restrained, allowing the malt flavors to shine through.
One of the factors that sets our Helles lager, All Systems Go, apart is the yeast used in fermentation. In traditional Helles lagers, a bottom-fermenting lager yeast is used, which ferments at cooler temperatures and results in a clean and crisp beer. However, in our version, we decided to use Kveik yeast.
Kveik yeast is a Norwegian farmhouse yeast that is known for its ability to ferment at higher temperatures, typically around 70-95°F (21-35°C). This higher fermentation temperature can result in more fruity and estery flavors compared to traditional lager yeast. By using Kveik yeast in our Helles, we add a unique twist to the beer, enhancing its complexity and adding layers of flavor.
Personal experience: I've had the opportunity to try various Helles lagers from different breweries, and each one had its own distinct characteristics. Some had a more pronounced malt sweetness, while others had a crisper and drier finish. The hop character also varied, with some having a more herbal and grassy taste, while others had a more floral or spicy hop presence.
What makes a Helles lager is the combination of a clean and balanced malt profile, subtle hop flavors, and a smooth and crisp finish. The use of traditional German malts and noble hops is key, but breweries can also experiment with different yeast strains to add their own unique twist to the style. The result is a beer that is refreshing, approachable, and perfect for enjoying on a warm summer day or any time you crave a well-crafted lager.