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pFriem Lager

pFriem Family Brewers
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🌍 United States · Helles Lager · One of 219 Helles Lagers in hopIQ

pFriem Lager is the brewery's take on a Munich-style helles; according to Josh Pfriem the recipe was refined over roughly a decade before it joined the year-round range. Three pilsner malts and a small share of acidulated malt form the base, with Perle and Tettnang providing a restrained 20 IBU. It shows bright gold with pillowy white foam. Aromas of fresh bread dough, soft herbs, lemon and lavender lead into flavors of freshly kilned malt, honeydew melon and a touch of wildflower honey, with a faint note of sulfur and a smooth, effervescent finish.

ABV
5%
Bitterness
Lightly bitter20 IBU
SRM
pale gold4
See all Helles Lager alternatives →

AWARDS

Gold · 2026
Oregon Beer Awards
Light German & European Lager
Gold · 2025
Brussels Beer Challenge
★Gold — Oregon Beer Awards (Light German & European Lager)
★Gold — Brussels Beer Challenge
How it drinks· Its pace, balance and relationship to the style.
Pace
sessionsipper
Balance
malt-ledhop-led
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

The texture leads here, with everything else held in gentle reserve.

Character· What makes this beer itself — not just another Helles Lager.
No character signal.

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for pFriem Lager

◎ Appearance

Bright gold with excellent clarity and a pillowy white foam head that displays firm retention and fine lacing around the glass. The carbonation is evident and lively, creating a consistently refreshing visual presentation characteristic of a well-crafted Helles.

bright goldwhite foameffervescentclear

◌ Aroma

The nose leads with fresh bread dough and soft herbal notes, followed by delicate citrus and floral impressions of lemon and lavender. A restrained but clean noble hop character mingles with faintly sweet malt, creating an inviting and refined bouquet without aggressive hop intensity.

fresh bread doughsoft herbslemon, lavendernoble hops

◐ Taste

The palate opens with flavors of freshly kilned malt and honeydew melon, followed by a light touch of wildflower honey that adds subtle sweetness. A faint sulfurous note from the lager fermentation rounds out the mid-palate, while the restrained 20 IBU provide gentle bitterness in balance with the malt foundation.

malt-forwardhoneydew melonlight honeyclean fermentation

◑ Finish

The finish is smooth and clean, with the effervescence carrying the beer toward a dry conclusion without harshness. The aftertaste is brief and refreshing, leaving no lingering bitterness or cloying sweetness.

smoothdryrefreshing
82
hopIQ score
Aroma
84
Taste
82
Appearance
85
Finish
78
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Serve & Enjoy

How to get the most out of pFriem Lager

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 pFriem Lager

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 flavor character as pFriem Lager 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 United States beers →