Helles / Dortmunder

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
	Great Lakes Dortmunder Gold OH, United States	47	3.682
	Schmucker German Lager (Privat Export) Germany	4	3.543
	Capital Bavarian Lager WI, United States	5	3.488
	Held Bräu Hell Germany	2	3.480
	Andechser Spezial Hell Germany	11	3.464
	Ayinger Jahrhundert Germany	51	3.455
	Cisco Summer of Lager MA, United States	10	3.454
	Paulaner Wiesn Blonde Germany	2	3.440
	MacTarnahans Zig Zag River Lager OR, United States	2	3.440
	Augustiner Lagerbier Hell Germany	9	3.434
	Samuel Adams Long Shot Dortmunder Style Export MA, United States	18	3.434
	Dremel Helles Germany	2	3.420
	Mueller Munich Lager MO, United States	7	3.410
	Old Dominion Lager DE, United States	11	3.400
	Crooked River Select Lager OH, United States	3	3.400
	Hofbrau Munchen Original / Hofbräu München Original Germany	36	3.392
	Franconia Lager TX, United States	1	3.375
	Paulaner Original Münchner Hell Germany	8	3.364
	5 Seasons Munich Helles GA, United States	5	3.350
	Krug Bräu Breitenlesauer Hell Germany	1	3.350