Helles is the everyday golden lager of Bavaria, the beer people actually drink by the litre in Munich beer gardens, and Weihenstephan’s version is a benchmark. It looks simple, a clean golden lager, but the balance and quality are exceptional. This is the beer I point people to when they think all lager is boring. I picked up a batch for this guide.
Weihenstephaner Original Helles at a glance
| Style | Helles lager |
| ABV | 5.1% |
| Calories | Around 150 per 12 fl oz |
| Brewery | Weihenstephan, Freising, Germany |
| Character | Soft malt, light bread, gentle floral hops |
| Best served | Cold, in a mug or lager glass |
How it tastes, by the numbers
This is a soft, malt-forward golden lager, clean and gently balanced rather than crisp and bitter.
The full review
It pours a clear, bright gold with a soft white head. The aroma is clean and inviting, light bready malt, a touch of honey and a whisper of floral hops.
The flavour is all about soft, gentle balance. There is a rounded bready-malt sweetness, a light noble-hop character and a smooth, clean finish with just enough bitterness to keep it fresh. There are no rough edges anywhere.
This is what a great helles is about, not big flavours but flawless balance and drinkability. At 5.1% it is a beer you could drink all afternoon, and it never gets boring because the quality is so high.
It is the perfect everyday lager and proof that a simple style, brewed brilliantly, beats a flashy one brewed badly. A quiet masterpiece.
This is the beer I point people to when they think all lager is boring.
- A benchmark Bavarian helles
- Flawless soft, malty balance
- Endlessly drinkable at 5.1%
- Proof a simple lager can be brilliant
- Understated if you want big flavour
- Best very fresh
Who it is for
If you want to taste how good a simple golden lager can be, this is the one. Perfect for anyone who thinks lager is boring and for easy everyday drinking.
Weihenstephaner Original Helles FAQs
What is a helles lager?
Helles is a pale golden Bavarian lager that is soft and malt-forward rather than crisp and bitter like a pilsner. It is the everyday drinking beer of Munich, gentle, balanced and very easy to drink.
What does Weihenstephaner Original Helles taste like?
Soft bready malt with a touch of honey, a light floral hop note and a smooth, clean finish. It is gently balanced and flawlessly drinkable rather than bold.
Is helles the same as a pilsner?
No. Both are pale German lagers, but a pilsner is crisper, drier and more bitter, while a helles is softer, rounder and more malt-forward. Helles is the gentler of the two.
Where to buy Weihenstephaner Original Helles
Weihenstephaner Original Helles is available across much of the US in bottles and cans. Buy it using the button above.
The verdict
Weihenstephaner Original Helles is Bavaria’s everyday lager brewed to perfection, soft, malty and endlessly drinkable. It is a quiet masterpiece and proof that a simple lager, done right, is a great beer.
FAQs
Who makes Weihenstephaner Original Helles?
Weihenstephaner Original Helles is brewed by Weihenstephan (owned by the Bavarian state government, and is the world’s oldest operating brewery).
What kind of beer is Weihenstephaner Original Helles?
Weihenstephaner Original Helles is a Helles lager, at 5.1% ABV.
How much alcohol is in Weihenstephaner Original Helles?
Weihenstephaner Original Helles has an ABV of 5.1%.
How many calories are in Weihenstephaner Original Helles?
Weihenstephaner Original Helles has Around 150 per 12 fl oz, based on the brewery’s published nutrition information.
Is Weihenstephaner Original Helles gluten free?
No. Like most traditional beers, Weihenstephaner Original Helles is brewed from barley and/or wheat, both of which contain gluten.
How can I make Weihenstephaner Original Helles taste better?
Serve it at the right temperature and in the right glass (see below), or use it as the base for a beer cocktail. Our beer cocktails guide has recipes worth trying.
Where is Weihenstephaner Original Helles made?
Weihenstephaner Original Helles is brewed by Weihenstephan in Freising, Germany. For more from that country, see our best Germany beers guide.
What is a good alternative to Weihenstephaner Original Helles?
If you can’t find Weihenstephaner Original Helles, Hofbrau Original is a close alternative in the same Helles lager category.
How do I open Weihenstephaner Original Helles without a bottle opener?
A lighter, a sturdy key, a spoon, or the edge of a table all work in a pinch. See our full guide on opening a beer without a bottle opener for 8 methods that actually work.
What glass should I use for Weihenstephaner Original Helles?
Cold, in a mug or lager glass. See our beer glassware guide if you want to match the glass to the style exactly.
