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Hafn Helles Lager

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Hafn Helles is a crisp, refreshing lager, spicy and lemony, with herbal Tettnang and spicy Saaz hops on a light body of lager malt, inspired by Germany and the Czech Republic. Hafn is Old Norse for haven, the word for Stromness, where Vikings sheltered their long boats from the strong tidal streams behind a natural headland. The harbour still gives boats shelter today.

ABV
4.4%
Bitterness
Lightly bitter25 IBU
Citrus hop bitterness
SRM
pale gold4
PaceSession
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
Balance
malt-forwardhop-forward
What makes this beer itself
herbalspicyspicy hop
herbal
spicy
spicy hop
citrusy
malty
clean
Aroma
The nose leads with bright citrus and herbal notes from the Tettnang and Saaz hops, evoking lemon zest and green spice.
also:bready
not found:hoppy,caramel,fruity,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Hafn Helles Lager

◎ Appearance

Hafn presents a pale golden hue with excellent clarity and a bright, luminous quality. The head forms quickly and clings to the glass with fine, persistent Schaumkleiden. Carbonation is brisk and well-integrated, lending the beer a lively visual character.

pale goldencrystal clearfine foam lacingvibrant carbonation

◌ Aroma

The nose leads with bright citrus and herbal notes from the Tettnang and Saaz hops, evoking lemon zest and green spice. Beneath this sits a clean, delicate Malz character that supports without overwhelming. The overall impression is crisp and inviting, with no yeast-driven esters or phenolics—a hallmark of disciplined lager fermentation.

lemon zestherbal spiceclean Malznoble hop character

◐ Taste

Entry is light and refreshing, with citrus and herbal hop flavors taking the lead on the palate. The mid-palate remains lean and crisp, with gentle Malz sweetness that frames rather than dominates. Bitterness develops steadily from the Saaz, finishing at 25 IBU with a dry, peppery quality that lingers without harshness.

lemonyherbal bitelight bodydry finish

◑ Finish

The finish is dry and relatively short, with the hop bitterness fading into a clean, mineral aftertaste. The beer's refreshing character persists through the swallow, inviting another sip.

drymineralhop-driven aftertaste
78
hopIQ score
Aroma
80
Taste
78
Appearance
82
Finish
74
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 Hafn Helles Lager

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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 crisp, refreshing, herbal character as Hafn Helles Lager 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 Scotland beers →