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Holsten Edel

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Holsten Edel has been brewed since 1913 and is classed by the brewery as a Hellbier, the milder counterpart to its Pilsener. Original gravity and alcohol match the Pilsener at 11.2 °P and 4.8%, but the hopping is lighter at 23 bitterness units. The beer is bright gold, with soft grainy malt, a hint of bread, a touch of fruitiness and a gentle floral hop note in the aroma. The palate is rounded and lightly sweet, and the finish stays mild with only a short, spicy bitterness.

ABV
4.8%
Bitterness
Lightly bitter23 IBU
Malt-forward bitterness
SRM
pale gold4
PaceSession
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
What makes this beer itself
MaltHop
maltyfloralclean
malty
floral
clean
bready
fruity
spicy
Aroma
The nose opens with soft, grainy malt notes complemented by a hint of fresh bread.
not found:hoppy,caramel,sour,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Holsten Edel

◎ Appearance

Holsten Edel presents a bright, pale gold color with excellent clarity and a fine, white head that displays good retention and delicate lacing. The carbonation is evident but restrained, creating a soft effervescence typical of the Hellbier style. The overall visual impression is clean and inviting, reflecting the beer's approachable character.

bright goldclearfine white headsoft carbonation

◌ Aroma

The nose opens with soft, grainy malt notes complemented by a hint of fresh bread. A gentle floral hop character emerges alongside a subtle fruity note, neither assertive nor withdrawn. The bouquet remains balanced and mellow, inviting without overwhelming—a hallmark of the beer's refined hopping at just 23 IBU.

soft grainbread notedelicate floralssubtle fruit

◐ Taste

On the palate, Holsten Edel unfolds with a rounded, lightly sweet entry that showcases the grainy Malz foundation. The mid-palate remains smooth and clean, with a touch of bread character and gentle fruitiness creating a harmonious whole. A brief, spicy bitterness emerges in the finish, staying mild and integrated rather than sharp or assertive.

rounded sweetnessclean maltsmooth texturegentle spice

◑ Finish

The finish is short and mild, with the spicy hop bitterness fading quickly into a dry, refreshing aftertaste. The beer leaves the palate clean and ready for the next sip, without lingering astringency or cloying residue.

short finishrefreshingmild bitterness
78
hopIQ score
Aroma
77
Taste
79
Appearance
80
Finish
76
Serve at 4–7°C

Serve at 4–7°C for the best flavour balance and aroma expression.

Stein

The sturdy German stein maintains temperature and keeps carbonation intact. Built for long, convivial drinking.

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Food Pairing

What to eat with Holsten Edel

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About Helles Lager

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Helles Lager?

Helles Lager is a distinctive beer style with its own characteristic flavour, aroma and colour. Discover what makes it unique and find similar beers on hopIQ.

Finding a similar Helles Lager

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same malty, floral, smooth character as Holsten Edel will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

Compare with another beer →Explore all Helles Lager beers in hopIQ →New to Helles Lager? Read our guide →Browse Germany beers →