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pFriem Lager

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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
5.0%
Bitterness
Lightly bitter20 IBU
Citrus hop bitterness
SRM
pale gold4
PaceSession

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
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
What makes this beer itself
MaltHop
breadymaltyhoney
bready
malty
honey
floral
herbal
citrusy
Aroma
The nose leads with fresh bread dough and soft herbal notes, followed by delicate citrus and floral impressions of lemon and lavender.
also:clean
not found:hoppy,caramel,fruity,smoky

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
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 pFriem 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 bready, malty, smooth character as pFriem Lager will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

FEATURED IN

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