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Hell Rat

Ossett Brewery
United Kingdom·Helles Lager
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Hell Rat is a Helles-style lager brewed with extra pale malt and a share of rice, hopped with Tettnang and, according to the brewery, lagered for longer than is usual. It is very pale and crisp, with a light bready, grainy malt flavour and little sweetness; the rice keeps the body lean. The hops add a mild herbal, floral and faintly spicy note and only gentle bitterness, and the finish is clean and dry. It was introduced in spring 2025 as the first lager in the Rat line.

ABV
4%
Bitterness
Lightly bitter
Malt-forward bitterness
SRM
pale gold4
PaceSession

AWARDS

Gold · 2026
SIBA Indie Beer Awards
Bottle/Can Session Lager (up to 4.4%)
Gold · 2026
International Brewing Awards
Keg Lager – Class 1 (abv range 2.9% – 4.7%)
★Gold — SIBA Indie Beer Awards (Bottle/Can Session Lager (up to 4.4%))
★Gold — International Brewing Awards (Keg Lager – Class 1 (abv range 2.9% – 4.7%))
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
Balance
malt-forwardhop-forward
What makes this beer itself
cleanfloralherbal
clean
floral
herbal
bready
malty
spicy
Aroma
The nose opens with subtle bready and grainy notes from the extra pale malt, underpinned by a light cereal sweetness.
not found:hoppy,caramel,fruity,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Hell Rat

◎ Appearance

Hell Rat presents a pale golden hue with exceptional clarity and brilliant transparency. The head forms as a thin, persistent white crown with fine and delicate lacing. Carbonation is moderate and evenly distributed, lending an inviting visual crispness.

pale goldencrystal clearfine white head

◌ Aroma

The nose opens with subtle bready and grainy notes from the extra pale malt, underpinned by a light cereal sweetness. Tettnang hops contribute mild herbal and floral accents with a whisper of spice, while the rice adjunct keeps the overall impression clean and restrained.

bready maltherbal floralsgentle spice

◐ Taste

The palate enters with a lean, crisp malt character balanced by the lightening effect of rice; sweetness remains subdued throughout. Tettnang hops deliver soft herbal and floral notes with only gentle bitterness, maintaining harmony and drinkability without astringency.

crisp, drylight-bodiedsoft herbal bitterness

◑ Finish

The finish is clean and decidedly dry, with the hops' herbal character lingering briefly before fading. No residual sweetness or harsh bite remains.

dry, cleanshort herbal fade
78
hopIQ score
Aroma
76
Taste
78
Appearance
82
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 Hell Rat

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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 dry, crisp, clean character as Hell Rat 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 United Kingdom beers →