Hofbräu Helles Lager

Review Date 10/24/2025 By John Staradumsky

  Style: Munich Helles   Brewery: Hofbrau   Country: Germany   State: N/A   $ Per OZ: $.16 (B)   ABV: 4.9%

Hofbräu Oktoberfest and I go way back, you see. All the way back to the 1980s actually, when it was a Märzen lager and not the current Festbier you get today. Over the years, I have enjoyed a large number of styles from this classic Munich brewer, yet curiously, never a Helles lager, before Hofbrauhaus Helles Lager.

This puzzled me as this is indeed a popular style, both in Germany and here in the USA. The brewery description of the beer sheds some light on the mystery:

On the occasion of the 500th anniversary of the Beer Purity Law, our brewers developed a new beer in a new packaging in 2016 with the Helles from the Hofbräuhaus. “Hofbräuhaus Hell” is a smooth, soft, and pleasantly hopped Munich Helles. A treat for all beer connoisseurs who appreciate the traditional Bavarian lifestyle! It doesn’t get more Munich than this: real Munich beer, real Munich brewery, and the real Hofbräuhaus.

Still, why did it take me 9 years to find the beer, and why did it take Hofvräu so long to brew one? I’m sure they brewed a Helles at least for the local beerhall at some point, and their current Festbier is not all that far removed from one anyway.

Hofbrauhaus Helles Lager has an alcohol content of 4.9% by volume according to my can label, although the brewery website pegs it at 5.1%. It currently runs $9.99 for four half liter cans at Total Wine. My can is stamped:

PROD 01.17.2025

EXP 01.17.2026

Hofbrauhaus Helles Lager pours to a brilliant golden color with a thick pillowy white head and a nose of fresh baked white bread. Taking a sip, the beer is light to medium in body, just right for the style. It’s again fresh bready, this time with the crusts on. It finishes with an aggressive earthy grassy bitterness, more than I usually get in A Helles.

Quaffable and delicious from the fresh Pilsner malt, Hofbräu Helles Lager is a textbook example of the style. Definitely a beer you simply must try.

Glad I tried it?  T

Would I rebuy it??