Helles / Dortmunder

Helles / Dortmunder

871 beers | 3.190 Avg Score

These two lager styles are very similar and are often grouped as only one style. The helles ("bright") style originated in the Munich / Bavaria areas of Germany, while the Dortmunder from Dortmund in Northern Germany. Both are golden yellow pale lagers with somewhat showy white heads. They feature grainy, bready, biscuity, even cookie-like (but never caramel) malt backbones with a noticeable hops presence (Dortmunders tend to be slightly more hopped than Helles). Both styles fall short of the hop levels typical of Pilsners, but they are crisp and clean, somewhat balanced lagers with a sometimes dry finish. Both also make for good "session" beers due to their high drinkability.

Beer | Location Reviews Score
Spaten Premium Lager
Germany
67
3.189
Löwenbräu Original / Lowenbrau Original
Germany
57
3.132
Ayinger Jahrhundert
Germany
51
3.455
Great Lakes Dortmunder Gold
OH, United States
47
3.682
DAB Original
Germany
43
3.307
Hofbrau Munchen Original / Hofbräu München Original
Germany
36
3.392
Svyturys Ekstra
Lithuania
36
2.836
Weihenstephaner Original Bayrisch Mild (Original Premium)
Germany
35
3.169
Gosser Export
Austria
34
2.816
Hacker-Pschorr Edelhell
Germany
29
3.341
Victory Lager
PA, United States
23
3.081
Hacker-Pschorr Münchener Gold
Germany
21
3.012
Augustiner Edelstoff
Germany
20
3.317
Samuel Adams Long Shot Dortmunder Style Export
MA, United States
18
3.434
Stoudts Gold Lager
PA, United States
16
3.264
Gordon Biersch Golden Export
NV, United States
14
3.030
Höss Neuschwansteiner Das Echte / Hoss Neuschwansteiner Das Echte
Germany
12
3.280
Okanagan Spring 1516 Bavarian Lager
Canada
12
3.206
Kalnapilis Export
Lithuania
12
2.466
Rahr & Sons Blonde Lager
TX, United States
11
3.114