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Hops & Barley Helles

Hops & Barley
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🌍 Germany · Helles Lager · One of 253 Helles Lagers in hopIQ

Hops & Barley Helles is an unfiltered, bottom-fermented lager that the brewpub has poured regularly since at least 2011, first under the name Friedrichshainer Helles and today as one of its specials. The current batch lists 11.5 degrees Plato, Polaris and the German 13/60 hop, plus Pilsner and Munich malts. Tasters describe a golden, gently grainy beer with soft malt, a classic herbal hop note and a balanced, very drinkable finish.

ABV
4.8%
Bitterness
Lightly bitter18 IBU
Herbal, floral bitterness
SRM
pale gold4
See all Helles Lager alternatives →
How it drinks· Its pace, balance and relationship to the style.
Pace
sessionsipper
Balance
malt-ledhop-led
Style expression
textbookdistinctive
Where this beer sits· Four axes, the same for every beer in hopIQ.
Body
Lean body.
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
Dry finish.
drysweet
Bitterness
Soft bitterness.
mildbitter
Texture
Crisp mouthfeel.
crispcreamy

A sharp texture drives the beer — a clean, direct pour with room for the palate to fill in.

Character· What makes this beer itself — not just another Helles Lager.
Hop character
herbal
grassy
Malt character
malty
bready
Fermentation & yeast
clean
Distinctive notes
smooth drinking

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Hops & Barley Helles

◎ Appearance

A pale golden hue with bright clarity and fine, persistent carbonation. The unfiltered nature creates a subtle haze that catches the light, while the head builds steadily and clings to the glass with fine lacing as you drink.

pale goldenunfiltered hazefine carbonationpersistent head

◌ Aroma

Clean and inviting, with soft grain notes from the Pilsner and Munich malts forming the base. A restrained herbal hop character emerges—courtesy of Polaris and the German 13/60—without aggression, accompanied by a faint mineral quality and the subtle fruitiness typical of bottom fermentation.

soft grainherbal hopsmineral notesclean fermentation

◐ Taste

The palate opens with gentle malt sweetness and a grainy, almost bread-like quality that develops in the mid-palate. The hop bitterness remains restrained and refined at 18 IBU, offering a classic herbal accent rather than assertiveness. The malt and hops sit in easy balance, with a dry, slightly crisp undertone that prevents any heaviness.

grainy, bread-likebalanced malt-hopsoft bitternessdry crispness

◑ Finish

The finish is clean and short, fading to a lingering hint of dry grain and gentle herbality. Highly quenching and refreshing, leaving the palate ready for the next sip.

clean, dry finishhighly drinkable
78
hopIQ score
Aroma
77
Taste
78
Appearance
79
Finish
78
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Serve & Enjoy

How to get the most out of Hops & Barley Helles

Serve at 4–7°C
Refrigerate, then rest 2 min

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

Stein
Recommended for this style

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

Store in a cool, dark place. Check the best-before date on the label for guidance.

Food Pairing

What to eat with Hops & Barley Helles

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 herbal, malty, smooth-drinking character as Hops & Barley Helles will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

Other Helles Lagers in hopIQ

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