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.
